We've been experimenting with flowers as paintbrushes and have found the dandelion flower to be the most charming and sturdy of all. Here's an idea for an outing and a project on a nice spring day.
1. Gather a cloth bag or basket for collecting flowers. Pack a light snack or a picnic lunch to bring along to make the outing an event.
2. Take a walk outside with your kids and search for dandelion flowers.They are easy to spot in most back yards and along the edges of fields.
3. Collect a batch to use for the card-making project. Be sure to pluck dandelions at the base of the stem.
4. Set out sheets of 8 1/2 by 11″ recycled laser paper or cut brown paper bags into squares or rectangles. Set out one watercolor set per child and a small glass of water for dipping.
5. To make a Dandelion Flower Paintbrush Card, lightly dip the flower head into water and then into the water color paint. Brush, press, or twirl the dandelion flower across the paper to create a pattern. Experiment with different colors, different movements. (Play some classical piano or jazz music while the kids are experimenting.)