A bunch of bright paper blossoms makes a lovely bouquet for a grandmother, teacher, caregiver, or other favourite person. Older preschoolers will enjoy using a ruler to measure out the size of the tissue squares.

1. Cut several pieces of tissue paper into squares. 20cm by 20cm is a good size for little fingers to handle.

2. Let your child choose the colours they want for the flower. Then, help them stack the squares in alternating directions. Put the first square down, then rotate the next tissue square so that its corners fall right in the centre of the first square's sides, and so on.
Variation: Help your child fold each square in accordion pleats, then stack the pleated squares.

3. Show your child how to pinch the stack of tissues right in the centre. Wrap the end of a pipe cleaner "stem" snugly around this part.

4. Gently fold out and fluff up each layer of tissue to form the flower's blossom.

By: Karen Baicker
Illustration: Monica Gesue

• Tissue paper in a variety of colours
• Scissors
• Green pipe cleaners
• Optional: Ruler, crayons, glue

• Use scissors with serrated or patterned edges for a nice effect.
• Outline each square with a thick line of crayon for a two-toned look.
• Draw and cut out little butterfly or bee shapes from construction paper and glue them to the flower