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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 straw into three equal pieces.

Step 2

Tape one section of the straw to the bottom of the foam petal, and repeat for the other two petals (the straws should be taped parallel to the flower.)

Step 3

Take 1 piece of string and tape it to the top of the petal, opposite the side with the straw. After it’s secure, thread the string through the straw.

Step 4

Attach the other two strings, in the same way, on the other petals, and thread them through the two straws.

Step 5

Cut the 3M foam square in half.

Step 6

Remove one side of the adhesive and wrap the foam around the dowel, about two finger spaces from the top.

Step 7

Remove the other side of the adhesive from the sticky foam square and attach the three foam petals around the dowel, one by one, and press to secure with the straws facing outwards.

Step 8

You may add extra tape around the base of the petals to reinforce.

Step 9

Pull the bottom of the strings gently 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