A flower is like a little plant that has special parts that help it grow and make seeds. When the flower gets enough sun, water, and food from the soil, it starts to grow and stretch. And just like you might stretch your arms to reach for a toy, the flower stretches its petals to open up and show off its colorful parts.
A flower is made up of several parts that help it grow! The main parts of the flower are:

  • Petals: These are the colorful parts of the flower that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
  • Stamens: The parts of the flower that produce pollen.
  • Pistil: The parts of the flower that receives the pollen and produces seeds.
  • Sepals: These are the small leaves at the base of the flower that protect the flower before it blooms.

To bloom, a flower needs sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil. Once it has enough of these things, it will grow and its petals will open. When the stamens release pollen, it can be carried by pollinators to the pistil, where it will fertilize the plant and help it make seeds. This is how the continues to grow.
So, that’s how flowers bloom – they stretch and open up to show off their special parts and make new plants!

Ready to make this project at home or in your classroom? Watch the video for an overview, gather the materials listed to the right, and follow the instructions below!

Required Materials

  • foam hearts
  • string
  • 2 straws
  • scissors
  • tape
  • chop stick
  • pen, pencil, or other writing tools

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1

Cut the foam hearts in half to create 3 or more flower petals.

Step 2

Using the scissors again take a plastic straw and cut it into three equal lengths.

Step 3

Attach your three plastic straw pieces around and parallel to the chopstick using tape. Now set it all aside.

Step 4

Take the second straw and also cut it into three equal pieces. Tape each piece to the pointed end of each petal.

Step 5

Cut your string into three long equal pieces.

Step 6

Make a small hole at the top of each petal and thread your string through each one, tying a knot at the end. Use a piece of tape to secure the knot to the petal.

Step 7

Thread the string through the straws at the base of your petal and then down through the straws around your chopstick.

Step 8

Using tape, secure your petals to the top of the chopstick in a flower design.

Step 9

Pull the bottom of the strings to make your flower bloom!

Optional Classroom Activities

Resource 1

FLOWER DISSECTION: Dive into the inner workings of flowers with your students! Equip each student with a real flower, like a lily or rose, and guide them through the dissection process. Encourage careful examination and identification of parts like petals, sepals, stamens, pistils, and ovary. Prompt students to observe the functions of each part, such as petals attracting pollinators or stamens producing pollen. This hands-on exploration not only deepens understanding of plant anatomy but also sparks curiosity and engagement in botany. For a helpful resource, consider using this dissection sheet outlining steps and structures to observe during the activity. Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of flowers with your students!

Resource 2