How to press flowers: Craft ideas for kids

Below, we've outlined the best and easiest ways to press fresh flowers – all with step-by-step guides. We've also included some quick ways to press flowers and some helpful tips and tricks to help your flowers turn out perfectly pressed.

If your kids want to get creative with their pressed flowers, we've got some brilliant craft ideas too. Find out how to make pressed flower suncatchers, bookmarks, ornaments and more.

• How to press flowers using a book
• How to press flowers with an iron
• How to press flowers with a microwave
• How long does it take to press flowers?
• Tips for getting the best results
• Creative ways to use pressed flowers

What you’ll need to press flowers

To press flowers, you will, of course, need flowers. Many types of flowers can be pressed, but the best varieties have single blooms such as violas, primulas, zinnia, and periwinkle or vinca (Gardener's World).

Depending on the method you choose, you will also need some other equipment such as heavy books, an iron or a microwave — you can find out how to press flowers using these methods in our guides below. Alternatively, you can even invest in a flower press.

We would also suggest making sure you have some scissors, kitchen roll/paper and thick, absorbent paper.

How to press flowers using a book

You will need:

• Fresh flowers
• Scissors
• A heavy book
• Kitchen paper

How to press flowers in a book:

1. Cut your flower blooms and leaves as desired
2. Open up a heavy book somewhere in the middle or towards the back
3. Place two sheets of kitchen paper between the pages
4. Carefully place your flowers onto the paper and place another two sheets of paper over the top (remember, however you place your blooms will be how they dry, so make sure you're happy with how smooth and flat they are)
5. Close the book carefully and put it in a warm, dry place
6. Optional: add one or two more heavy books on top
7. Leave for between two to four weeks to fully dry out

Credit: RHS

How to press flowers with an iron

You will need:

• Fresh flowers
• Scissors
• An iron
• A heavy book
• Baking paper/greaseproof paper

How to press flowers using an iron:

1. Cut your flower blooms and leaves as desired
2. Turn on the iron and set to a low heat (don't use a steam setting as you want to remove moisture, not add it)
3. While the iron is heating up, press your flowers under a heavy book to make sure they are fairly flat (this will help the drying process)
4. Place a piece of baking paper or greaseproof paper onto an ironing board
5. Carefully place your flowers and leaves onto the paper, then lay another sheet of paper over the top (remember, however you place your blooms will be how they dry, so make sure you're happy with how smooth and flat they are)
6. Place the hot iron onto the paper and let it sit on top of the paper for 10 seconds — do not move the iron
7. Remove the iron, then let the paper cool completely before placing it in the same area
8. Continue until all flowers and leaves have been pressed
9. Tip: If they sizzle, it means there is moisture inside, so repeat until the sizzling stops and the flowers feel firm and dry

Credit: RHS

Pressing flowers with a microwave

You will need:

• Fresh flowers
• Paper towels
• A heavy microwave-safe dish/container
• A microwave

How to press flowers in the microwave:

1. Cut your flower blooms and leaves as desired
2. Place your flower blooms on top of a paper towel (remember, how you place your blooms will be how they dry, so make sure you're happy with how smooth and flat they are)
3. Cover the flowers with another paper towel
4. Place in a microwave, then set a heavy microwave-safe dish on top — don't press down on the dish, just set it on top gently
5. Microwave at half power for 90 seconds, then remove the dish and check your flowers — they should feel quite dry, almost like paper. If they still feel moist, cover the flowers with the dish again and microwave again in 30-second increments until dry
6. Once you're happy that the flowers are dry, remove them from the microwave and leave to cool — they will get stiffer as they cool and fully dry

Credit: Studio DIY

How long does it take to press flowers?

How long it takes to press flowers depends entirely on the method you choose. If you choose to press them with heavy books, you'll need a lot of patience as for best results, the flowers need to be pressed for at least a couple of weeks when using this method.

If you want to press flowers quickly, we would suggest pressing them using an iron or microwave, as your pressed flowers should be ready in around 5-10 minutes.

Tips for getting the best results

When you pick them, and what flowers you choose, are important considerations when pressing flowers. The drier the flowers, the better, so it's recommended that you pick your flowers on a dry day and later in the day, so they're not damp from morning dew. Your flowers need to be completely dried before pressing — if they're still wet or damp, they may become moldy.

The flowers should also be picked and cut when they're close to full bloom, partly but not fully open. Try also to select smaller blooms if possible, as bulkier plants which form large heads are harder to dry and press. If you are using bulkier plants, you can add extra paper to ensure that every part of the plant is being pressed and to absorb the moisture. Also, for larger plants and flowers, you could consider separating the petals before pressing.

If using the book method, the quicker the flowers dry then the more likely they are to preserve their colour. Make sure you leave your makeshift flower press in a warm area, such as a conservatory or next to a radiator.

Once pressed, your flowers can last for years. To preserve them, try to keep them in an airy room with a dry atmosphere, away from heat sources and out of direct sunlight. You should also remove dust and cobwebs using a feather duster, a soft brush, or a hairdryer on a cool, low setting.

Creative ways to use pressed flowers

Once you've mastered the technique of pressing flowers, there are plenty of creative and crafty ways you can use your pressed flowers. We've put together some simple step-by-step guides to some great craft ideas using your pressed flowers below.

Pressed flower frame

You will need:

• Pressed flowers
• A clear frame, such as this simple gold glass frame (£9.99) or this hanging octagon frame (£14.99).
• Glue stick

To create a pressed flower frame, all you need to do is:

1. Take your pressed flowers and place them in the frame in your desired place
2. Use glue to carefully stick the flowers to the glass (we would suggest using a regular glue stick)
3. Secure your frame and you're done!

Pressed flower air dry clay ornaments

You will need:

• Pressed flowers
• Rolling pin
• Air dry clay
• Round cookie cutter
• Straw
• Mod Podge
• Paintbrush
• String/ribbon

How to make a pressed flower clay ornament:

1. Use a rolling pin to roll out a small piece of air dry clay to around 1/4 inch thickness
2. Use a round cookie cutter to cut a round shape out the clay
3. Push a straw through the air dry clay near the edge of the circle (but not too close) to create a small hole, this will be used for hanging the ornament
4. Leave the air dry clay to dry for around 3 days, or until hard and dry
5. Once dry, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the front of the ornament using a small paintbrush
6. Gently press your flowers onto the Mod Podge
7. Apply another thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of the flowers
8. Once the ornament is dry, push your string or ribbon through the hole in the ornament and make a small knot

Credit: One Little Project

Looking for more ways to use air dry clay? We've got 30 easy air dry clay craft ideas

Pressed flower bookmarks

You will need:

• Pressed flowers
• Scissors
• Clear acrylic bookmarks (£3.99)
• Matte Mod Podge
• A paintbrush

How to make a pressed flower bookmark:

1. Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge in the areas where you will be placing your flowers
2. Carefully press your flower down into the glue, then repeat for each flower
3. Once you've placed a few flowers, carefully brush on a second layer of Mod Podge on top of the dried flowers — be very gentle as the pressed flowers as extremely delicate
4. Continue until the whole bookmark is filled to your liking
5. Leave to dry for around 15 minutes
6. Optional: add another layer of Mod Podge to make sure you've completely covered everything

Credit: Entertain an Idea

Pressed flower suncatcher

You will need:

• Pressed flowers
• Small plate or bowl
• A pen/pencil
• Self-laminating sheets/contact paper
• Scissors
• Optional: double-sided tape or glue dots

How to make a pressed flower suncatcher:

1. Place the small plate or bowl onto the self-laminating sheet and trace around it
2. Repeat to create another circle
3. Add the pressed flowers to the sticky side of the self-laminating sheet
4. Once you're happy with your flowers, press firmly down to seal the two sheets together
5. Cut around the traced line to cut out your suncatcher
6. Hang on your window with clear double-sided tape or glue dots

Credit: The Best Ideas for Kids

Pressed flower rocks

You will need:

• Pressed flowers
• Flat rocks
• Matte Mod Podge
• Paintbrush

How to decorate rocks with pressed flowers:

1. Use a paintbrush to apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to a rock
2. Place the pressed flower onto the rock where you would like it to sit
3. Apply more Mod Podge over the top of the flower — try to be as gentle as possible and make sure the flowers stay flat on the rock
4. Allow to dry for at least 2 hours or until the Mod Podge is no longer tacky

Credit: One Little Project

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