Flower Leis
Here is a fun activity for younger children or for those who live in areas where flowers are not readily accessible. These "pretend" ones look very much like the real thing, especially if you use white or yellow straws
Materials Needed:
- Construction Paper cut in 2" squares (Pastel colors & white)
- Drinking straws cut in 1" pieces
- String or yarn (1 yard for each child)
- White glue or masking tape Hole Punch
Steps to Take:
- Prepare string in advance by dipping about 1" of each end in white glue and allowing it to dry OR wrap each end with masking tape. This will give the children a firm end to hold and will make stringing the leis easier.
- Fold each 2" square of construction paper in fourths and cut as illustrated to form petals. Flowers may also be formed by tearing the petal shapes.
- Punch a hole in the center of each flower
- Alternating flowers and straw pieces, string your lei. It is easiest to start at the center and work toward each end.
- When the string is covered to within 3" of each end, tie the ends together in a knot.
- Leis are presented on many occasions. The gift of a lei can mean "love", "friendship", "welcome" or "goodbye". It is traditional when presenting the lei to someone else to give a kiss on the cheek.
May Baskets
Materials Needed:
- Paper doily or other paper cut in a 9" circle
- Stapler or glue
- Pipe Cleaner
- Hole Punch
- Scissors
- Small fresh cut flowers with stems about 4" long
- Paper towel
- A piece or aluminum foil or plastic wrap
Steps to Take:
- Cut a slit in the paper from one edge to the center of the circle.
- Overlap the cut edges and twist the paper so that a cone is formed. Staple or glue the edge to hold the cone shape.
- Punch holes on opposite sides of the top of the cone.
- Form hooks on both ends of the pipe cleaner and put the ends through the punched holes to form a handle. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner around so that they stay in the holes.
- Dampen the paper towel and squeeze out most of the extra water. Wrap the ends of the flower stems with the paper towel, then wrap with the aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- Slide the wrapped flowers into the cone.
On Beltaine morning, hang the May basket on the doorknob of friends or neighbors. Ring the doorbell and hide to watch your friend's reaction to the flowers.
