DIY Paper Flowers

DIY Paper Flowers

Appropriate for grades:
Subject areas: Visual and Performing Arts

DIY Paper Flowers

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday celebrated in honor of the dead that coincides with the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2.The holiday and preparations for it encompass all aspects of communal life, from craft to clothing, music, food, and the decoration of public spaces for rituals of remembrance. Cempasúchil or marigold flowers (flower of the dead) are used to decorate altars and the graves of loved ones.

 

You'll need:

  • multi-colored tissue paper
  • scissors

 

Procedures A grouping of images showing how to make paper flowers using a couple sheets of colored tissue paper.

  1. Lay three sheets of unfolded colored tissue paper(5 1/2" x 5 1/2") down on a flat surface stacking them on top of each other.
  2. Fold in half, then in quarters.
  3. Trim top of quartered paper stack with scissors to create curved or pointed petals.
  4. Hold the base of the flower gently and open the petals. 
  5. Repeat steps 1-4 to make more flowers.
  6. Place your flowers on an altar or give them to someone special.

Download Lesson Plan