May is a month where we celebrate moms. Chrysanthemums are a popular flower choice for Mother's Day. Here's how to make a traced hand chrysanthemum paper craft, plus we share some of the different symbolisms and meanings of this flower that you can share with your kids.
Traced Hand Chrysanthemum Paper Craft Idea
My kids, especially my son, love to learn about different cultures. We researched what chrysanthemums mean and learned that they are one of the most popular Mother’s Day flower in Australia. One reason is because of the 'mum' at the end, but they also happen to bloom during the month of May, right when Mother's Day happens. I remember as a child, my grandma always referred to them as 'mums' - I never actually knew their full name back then.
In the United States, chrysanthemums are also a popular gift-giving flower and symbolize longevity and joy.
Supplies:
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- construction paper
- purple and white - pencil
- marker
- glue stick
- school glue
- scissors
- yellow and green pipe cleaner
- purple and white
Instructions:
1. Have your child trace their hand four times on purple paper. Help them if needed when using the opposite hand than they write with. Chrysanthemums come in many different colors, so you are not limited to just purple. After they are done tracing, cut the hand shapes out.
2. As shown in the photo below, glue three of the hand shapes to a sheet of white paper: one with fingers pointing towards the left, one towards the right, and one straight up.
3. Next, take a green pipe cleaner and make a loop near the middle to form a leaf shape. Twist to secure. Glue the 'stem with leaf' to the center of the paper. If the glue won't hold, you could instead use hot glue, glue dots, or even tape.
4. Use the gluestick to attach the last hand cut-out onto the white paper, this time with the fingers pointing down.
5. Create the pollen center by making a tight spiral/coil with a yellow pipe cleaner. Glue to the center of the purple hands.
6. Finally, have the child write a Happy Mother's Day message across the bottom of the paper.
Other Chrysanthemum Symbolisms and Meanings
Preschool aged children and older may enjoy learning other symbolisms just for fun or as part of a unit study such as Fall, Japan, and China.
- Because the flower blooms in the fall, the chrysanthemum is known as the “Queen of Fall Flowers.” It signifies joy and beauty despite the oncoming winter. It's also the official birth flower of November making this traced hand chrysanthemum paper craft the perfect Fall themed project for kids. (source: Petal Talk)
- If your kids are interested in China, this flower is one of the “Four Gentlemen,” four plants which represent the four seasons, with the chrysanthemum representing autumn.
- Kiku Matsuri is the Japanese Chrysanthemum Flower Festival. I love that Japan has such pretty flower festivals! Check out this fingerprint cherry blossom branch for another fun craft idea.
- In Belgium and Austria, these flowers are used as a memorial flower to honor loved ones.
Now the hand shaped chrysanthemum paper craft can be given as a Mother's Day card or displayed in the home!
More Mother's Day Craft Ideas
