Faux Flowers

Filled with beaded blooms, these flowerpots will be a huge hit with preschoolers and preteens alike (and they also make great party favors).

Materials

Instructions

Start by filling each pot two-thirds full with the brown clay.
How the garden grows from here depends on the ages of the kids. Younger children can simply plant short lengths of pipe cleaner or wire in the dirt, bend them slightly, and top with bright beads. For older kids, use the copper or beading wire. Cut a 14- to 18-inch piece of wire for each child and tie a knot 1 inch from one end. Let the kids thread 1 ½ inches worth of green beads for a stem.
Next, have them add 8 to 10 inches of beads in the colors of their favorite flower. Tie a loose knot at the end so that the beads won´t fall off.
To create petals, bend the flower-colored beads into an oval petal shape. Twist the loop closed and repeat these steps to create three or four more petals.
When the petals are complete, wrap bare wire around the center of the flower to reduce the space between the petals, then snip off the excess wire. Kids can also bend the beaded wire into other flower shapes like tulips or lilies.
To plant each flower, press the 1 inch of wire below the knot into the clay dirt.