Valentine's Day Flowers

What You Need:

• 1 large sheet each of white, red, and pink tissue paper
• 3 green pipe cleaners
• Scissors

What You Do:

1. Cut the tissue paper into squares measuring roughly 5”x 5”. You may do this for your child, or even better, have your child do this independently. When it comes to managing scissors well, practice makes perfect for kids!
2. Take 4 squares, at least one of each color and two of whatever color your child most wants to dominate—and lay them on top of one another in one flat, square stack.
3. Starting with closest edge, have your child fold the stacked square into horizontal folds, every ¾ inch, like an accordion. It will end up as a flat, long, rectangle with about 4 folds in it.
4. Now it's time to add the stems! Take out one pipe cleaner, and fold the top 1”. Now hook it over the center of the long, flat rectangle of tissue, and wrap it tight. The tissue on each side will start to fan up—pull it up even more to make a rounded flower shape, very much like a carnation.
5. Repeat this process twice more, and then wrap the three pipe cleaners into a twisted “stem.”

While giving small hands great developmental practice, you've made a sweet bouquet for all seasons—a delightful gift for a teacher, grandma, or any other special person in your child's life.