Flower Arranging is one of my favourite Practical Life, Care of the Environment Activities. Flowers can bring so much joy and beauty to our lives. This morning we received the most gorgeous flowers (c/o Bloom & Bud, Sydney) and I decided to share them with Otto (3yrs) and do some Flower Arranging together. 

Materials we use:

• vases - thick glass or transparent vases are useful for children learning how to pour, and knowing when to stop pouring, empty jars can work well too. 
• funnel - useful for filling vases with narrow openings.
• pitcher with water - or we can provide an empty pitcher if the child has access to water.
• sponge - or other cleaning cloths for wiping up spills.
• scissors - child size but sharp enough to cut flower stems.
• flowers - or buds, leaves, or other foliage

I also keep a flower press nearby. If any flowers or petals fall off or are accidentally cut, we can press the flowers and they are not wasted. 

Flower Arranging can assist in developing:

• scissoring skills - thin stem flowers may be easy to snip and thicker stems like roses require more strength. 
• pouring skills - to accurately pour the water into the vase and also to stop before it overflows.
• practical flower arranging skills - like how to make a bouquet.
• visual discrimination skills - the child can estimate where to cut the stems to fit the individual vases.  
• controlled movements - pouring and putting the flowers into the vases require controlled and coordinated movement also requires the child to slow down, concentrate and focus. Also, the child needs controlled movements to carry the full vases without spilling. 
• botany and observation skills - the child can observe flowers closely and note differences between different types of plants, flowers, and leaves. 
• language - we can give the child the names of the flowers and the colour names. Today my child learned the names of a few new flowers like snapdragons and carnations.
• sequencing - and following a series of steps. Start with putting on the apron, filling the vases, snip the flowers, arrange the flowers and finish with presenting the flower around the home and clean-up. Each step must be done in order, in the correct sequence.
• the aesthetic sense - allows the child to create beauty and participate in beautifying their environment.
• internal satisfaction - the child can do this work independently and feel accomplished and satisfied with their work when finished. 
• gift-giving ideas and skills- the child can make a small posey or vase for gift-giving and also develop grace and courtesy involved in the actual giving process. 

Flower Arranging can be relaxing and calming. Flower Arranging with your child can create a lovely parent-child moment. Depending on your garden or access to foliage, we can make Flower Arranging a part of our weekly rhythm. We can also press some of these flowers once they start to dry out.  

First Otto fills the vases. With some vases the funnel is useful. Our pitcher is child size and easy to manage. 

There are going to be spills so we keep a sponge nearby. I also use a clean tea towel to wipe the table completely dry.  

Otto snips the stems to fit the vases. I allow him to work this out himself, when the stems are too long he just keeps on snipping until they fit nicely in the vase. For an older child, we could teach them to measure the stems to fit the vases perfectly. Make sure your scissors will cut through the stems and also de-thorn the roses first! 

Lots of scissor practice and it takes a bit of effort to cut through these stems. 

Snip off some of the attached leaves. The leaves are easier to cut through but it requires dexterity from the child. 

Then into a vase - with care and attention.

We can observe the different types of flowers, and learn their names and their colours!

We love this set of small glass vases and two of our vases are from thrift shops (also see this colourful set). Empty jars can work well too. 

While Otto was doing his Flower Arranging, I arranged the larger bunch. 

Beautiful roses. 

The little vases are so sweet.

Then the child can put the flowers in their workspaces and around the home. Otto LOVED surprising his brothers by putting a vase on each of their bedside tables. 

Further reading:

• 10 Vital Montessori/Life Skills - at 16 months. 
• What Can Children Do in a Kitchen Helper? - Ideas for Toddlers - including flower arranging at 25mths. 
• Beautiful Flower Arranging Activities!!
• Pouring, Precision & Learning To Use A Funnel - at 3yrs.
• Finding internal satisfaction - through flower arranging - at 3yrs.
• #montessoriflowerarranging

Resources: Children's Scissors, Children's Glass Vase Set - also see these ideas, Similar Small Funnel, Montessori Gardening Apron, Flowers c/o Bloom & Bud, Sydney (AU). 

Our Bloom & Bud flowers were delivered contactless to our door ready for arranging. Our flowers were fresh, vibrant, and so colorful - perfect for brightening up our home. The flowers arrive in a sturdy box which also includes a useful guide to help you arrange and take care of your flowers, and all packaging is recyclable 💚💐.

This post includes affiliate links. Thank you for your support!