Summer means playing outside, picking flowers, getting dirty hands—and… crafting! Got little adventurers running around? Now is the perfect time to dive into the garden with them. Not just for gardening, but also to turn all that garden beauty into colourful creations. Here at your local garden centre in Newent, we know how important it is to get children excited about nature. And what better way than with summer craft fun? Here are some of the best and easiest ideas to transform flowers, leaves, and twigs into works of art.
Why Crafting in the Garden is So Fun (and Educational)
Children are naturally curious. Let them sow seeds, pick flowers, feel textures, and smell scents — that’s exploring with all their senses. Crafting with flowers and leaves is not only fun but also:
- Great for developing fine motor skills
- A lesson in seasons, plants, and insects
- Quality screen-free family time
- A wonderful way to let their creativity blossom
And the best part? You hardly need any materials. Just head outside and start collecting! Here’s our top 5 summer craft ideas using flowers & leaves.
1. Pressing Flowers (and Making Something Beautiful Afterwards!)
Pick a handful of flowers together — think daisies, cornflowers, lavender, and poppies. Press them for at least a week between kitchen paper and heavy books. Then you can:
- Decorate greeting cards
- Create framed flower art
- Design gift tags or bookmarks
2. Leaf Print Stamping
Find beautiful leaves with a clear vein pattern — like fern, maple, or sunflower leaves. You’ll need:
- Paint (acrylic or child-friendly)
- A sponge or brush
- Paper or cardboard
Paint the underside of the leaf, press it onto paper, and voilà: a beautiful print! Perfect for a summer bunting, artwork, or even decorating a cotton bag.
3. Natural Mobile for the Garden
Find a nice branch and tie on all kinds of natural treasures with string or wool: pinecones, little flowers, leaves, feathers, shells. Hang it in the garden or on the balcony. It gently moves in the breeze, turning your garden into a true work of art.
4. Flower Cupcakes Made from Cardboard and Clay
A super fun and summery craft project: make cupcakes from corrugated cardboard, clay, and real flowers! Cut the cardboard into a cupcake “case,” then use colourful modelling clay as the topping. Decorate the “icing” with dried petals, lavender, or small garden flowers. The result? A piece of art that looks good enough to eat — perfect to make and display as summer decoration!
5. Leaf Paintings
Use leaves like puzzle pieces! Let kids collect all sorts of leaves and glue them onto a sheet of cardboard. They can make animals (think a hedgehog from oak leaves or a fish from fern leaves) or just create abstract art.
Bonus: Make Your Own Seed Bombs
Not exactly crafting with flowers, but for flowers! Seed bombs are small balls made of clay, compost, and flower seeds. Make them with the kids and let them dry. Then toss them into the garden, a flower box, or a bare patch nearby. After a few rain showers (or a watering can), they burst open and the seeds start to grow. This way, you can turn dull spots into a blooming flower party! Use seeds like poppies, cornflowers, marigolds, or special bee and butterfly mixes. At our garden centre in Newent, you’ll find all kinds of seeds. Come by and get inspired!
Celebrating Nature Together
Summer crafting with flowers and leaves is more than just being creative. It’s a way to pause and appreciate how beautiful and special nature really is. You show children that a daisy isn’t just a flower — it’s a little miracle. So put on those old clothes, grab a basket full of greenery, and get crafting together. And… don’t forget: for flowers, plants, seeds, children’s gardening tools, and everything you need for a green summer, you’re always welcome at your local garden centre in Newent. We’re happy to help you start a summer filled with happy faces, messy fingers, and colourful creations!