Silhouette Flower Vases

Best for: Ages 5 to 8

Get imaginative and have partygoers craft picturesque vases.

You’ll Need:

• Patterned paper, i.e. scrapbook paper, wallpaper samples, magazines, or wrapping paper
• Scissors for each child
• Flashlight
• Painter’s tape
• Pencil
• 11”x14” coloured paper or art canvas
• Craft glue
• Small foam brushes

How to Make:

1. Fold a piece of patterned paper (approx. 5”x7”) in half vertically and tape to the wall.
2. Have a child stand in front of the paper so that their face is in profile with their nose facing the folded side of the paper.
3. Aim the flashlight at the child and paper so that you can see their shadow on the patterned paper. There should be about ½”–1” from the fold of the paper to the tip of their nose.
4. Trace the outline of their face onto the patterned paper.
5. Cut their profile out of the patterned paper. When it is unfolded you will see that it resembles a vase.
6. Glue the ‘vase’ to the large piece of coloured paper/canvas using the foam brushes and craft glue. Ensure it is centred at the bottom of the page.
7. Cut out a variety of flowers, petals, stalks and leaves from the extra patterned paper. Encourage children to layer their flowers for depth and interest.
8. Glue the flowers onto the large paper/canvas so it looks like they are coming out of the vase. Children can embellish the picture with ladybugs, bumblebees, etc. also cut from patterned paper.

Good to Know

• If girls have long hair, have them put it in a ponytail so that it is off their necks when tracing their profile.
• No one needs to be idle. While one child is having their profile traced, the other children can cut out their flowers, petals, stems and leaves.
• Before the party, figure out the best spot for tracing profiles including practising where the flashlight will sit.

Thanks to our Savvy Storyteller Susannah from Creative Mama on a Dime for providing this kids’ craft.