DIY Pressed Flower Fairy Lantern

This is a really fun, magical craft for kids (and grownups) that encourages exploration, learning and creativity. It starts with a nature walk and ends with a truly beautiful end product; but best of all it is easy enough to be fun for little people with short attention spans!

Step One:

Gather Your Materials (Plan Your Nature Walk)

You can purchase pressed flowers if you want, but my recommended way to gather these materials would be to take a flower gathering nature walk. If you have a small, portable flower press that is ideal, but you can always collect your flowers and then press them using weighted books or a microwave press. When you are planning your nature walk make sure to pick a location that will give you a variety of materials like leaves, wildflowers and ferns.

Step Two:

Gather Your Materials Part Two

Once your flowers are pressed and dry you can move on to the making part of this project. You will need a glass jar (of whichever size or shape you desire, just make sure it is smooth), PVA or glue or any other type of sealer that will dry clear, a larger craft paintbrush, twine, scissors , a tea light and your pressed flowers.

Step Three:

Prep.

Cover the surface where you are going to work with craft paper or news paper. In a small dish or cup place a couple tablespoons of your glue or PVA with a tablespoon of water to thin it out. Lay out your dried leaves and flowers and make sure any little helpers are wearing project-friendly clothing.

Step Four:

Craft!

Start by covering the jar with your sealer. Once it is fully covered start gently placing your flowers onto the wet glue until you are happy with how covered it is. Let the jar dry for five to ten minutes, then cover the top of the flowers with another layer of sealer. Repeat this step until you are satisfied that that flowers are adhered. Let the jar dry completely, then wrap the top of the jar with twine, looping it to create a handle. Add your tea light inside and enjoy!