Materials to make a dozen roses:

• 12 strips of red tissue paper, 1"x12"
• 6 regular-length pipe cleaners
• Scissors
• Green Florist Tape

Instructions (for one rose):

1. Cut a pipe cleaner in half
2. Fold one piece of the red tissue paper so that it is two layers, 1"x6" (don't rip or cut it).
3. Place the tip of the pipe cleaner on the end of the tissue paper and wrap the paper around it. Pinch the end in to the pipe cleaner while wrapping at an angle so that the top is a little loose and the bottom is tight to the pipe cleaner. Wrap it around and around until it looks like a rosebud.
4. Press the end of the florist tape against the bottom of the rosebud, where it is connected to the pipe cleaner. Wrap it around and around, tightly (it will stick to itself).
5. When the bud part appears secure, wrap the tape tightly all the way down the pipe cleaner until it looks like a green stem
6. Cut the end of the florist tape and press against the bottom to secure it.
7. Repeat this step with each pipe cleaner and each piece of tissue paper for each flower.

Some ideas to switch it up:

• For long stemmed roses, don't cut the pipe cleaners.
• To make leaves, cut leaf shapes from green paper, hold a leaf against the pipe cleaner while you are wrapping the tape and continue to wrap the tape, securing the leaf. Do this with more leaves if you want.
• Try other colours-pink, yellow, white, lavender, even blue roses are pretty.
• Dip the tip of the finished rose in some glue. then in some sparkles, allow to dry.

Have fun! This is a fun and easy craft for little hands, but older kids and teens also enjoy it. These flowers are a good craft for Valentine's Day, Mother's day, Grandparents' birthdays, or just a nice anytime craft.

Stay tuned for more fun preschool craft ideas!

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