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Paper Plate Flower

Lesson: Paper Plate Flowers

October 23, 2015 | By Rachel Zink

This 3D flower project is perfect for children wanting to try their hand at sculpture!

Goals:

  • Apply 3D concepts to sculpture while developing fine motor and tactile skills.
  • Inspire creative thinking through sculpture and painting.

Materials:

  • 4 paper plates, uncoated
  • Pencil, colored pencils
  • Scissors
  • Fast-dry tacky glue
  • Oil pastels
  • Watercolor paint OR watercolor magic
  • Paintbrushes
  • Water cups
  • Solid construction paper

Directions:

  • Flower ExamplesCut four sizes of flowers from the paper plates. For younger children, have flowers pre-cut. One will just be the outer edges of the plate cut into petals, the next one will be 1-1.5 inches smaller, repeat.
  • Draw patterns on the plates with oil pastels.
  • Roll up the edges of each petal; a pencil works great!
  • Put a large dot of glue in the center of the biggest plate, glue the second largest on top, repeat for all sizes.
  • Allow the glue to dry for a few minutes. With the construction paper, cut leaves. Draw leaf patterns with colored pencils.
  • Paint the flowers with watercolor or watercolor magic.
  • Once dry, glue the leaves on to the back of the largest plate.

Tweak It!

  • Use smaller plates and create smaller flowers to hang on a garland.
  • Use watercolor magic in small spray bottles, or the rubbing alcohol technique, to get different designs on the flowers.
  • Add buttons in the center.

Photos: Samples by Betsey

Lesson inspired by Pink Stripey Socks

© 2015 Arts For Life