The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · March 2014
Ages3–6 yrs
Prep25 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessLow
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class
Tape contact paper to a window, sticky side out, and let kids press fresh petals, flowers and leaves onto it to make mice, butterflies and other figures. It is a simple spring nature activity that also works indoors.
⚠️ Safety first
- Some garden flowers and leaves are toxic if eaten. Use plants you know are safe, and don't let kids put petals or leaves in their mouths.
- Supervise young children closely. Petals and small flower heads are small pieces.
- Kids with pollen or plant allergies may react to fresh flowers. Wash hands after play.
- Choose a window kids can reach while standing on the floor. An adult tapes up the contact paper.
Before the kids arrive
- Have a large sheet of contact paper and some tape ready.
- Pick a window the kids can reach comfortably.
Steps
Collect flowers and leaves, choosing flowers that are almost falling off the plant.
Spread the flowers and leaves out on a large sheet of poster board.
Look closely at them with a magnifying glass.
Adult: tape a large sheet of contact paper to the window.
Peel off the backing so the sticky side faces you.
Press petals, flowers and leaves onto the sticky side to make a figure, like a mouse.
Make more figures, like butterflies, until every piece has its place.
Step back and enjoy your sticky garden on the window.
Tips
- For the sake of nature itself, it is best to use flowers that are almost falling off of the plant.from the author
- Collect the leaves along with the flowers. Every single nature piece had its place and served a specific purpose in the creative process.from the author
- The sticky side is the fun side! Sticky and kids go hand in hand.from the author
- Outdoor activities are great, but if you can have fun with spring activities INSIDE the house for that much-needed 'home-bound' time, that's a win in my book.from the author
- Expect some 'my butterfly is better than yours' bickering. Ours got over it and started enjoying the process eventually.from the author
Make it your own
- Matching challenge: have kids notice which leaves go with which flowers while gathering. Later, stick only the flowers on the contact paper and challenge them to match the leaves to the flowers. It's a great memory recall exercise.
- Try other fresh-flower play from the blog: flower play dough, flowers and sand sensory play, a flower scavenger hunt or spring flower potions.
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