• Books
• Sturdy cardboard (2 pieces)
• Scissors
• Newspaper
• Waxed paper
• Construction paper
• Clear adhesive plastic

To keep the beauty of flowers preserved for years, dry them for pressed plant creations. Pressed flowers make magical bookmarks, cards, and budding mobiles with a bit of clear plastic adhesive. With contrasting construction paper backgrounds and ribbon or tape to trim, these delicate buds can become wonderful gifts.

A great way to preserve flowers is by pressing them in books. Although the typical visual leads one to imagine a favorite hardback neatly filled with perfect dried petals, the activity begsfor a bit more attention. Those who truly appreciate their books aren't likely to want daisy drippings seeping into the pages of a dear novel.

Keep you books clean by creating a "flower press". Almost anyone can create a simple flower press with objects in the house. First have an adult cut two pieces of cardboard the same size as a piece of paper. Use the newspaper by folding each section into sheets the size of the cardboard blocks. (Each section of newspaper should be in several layers.) Then alternate newspaper and waxed paper to create several layers to be sandwiched in the press.

Now go gather flowers! Be sure to only pick what is legal, and learn to avoid poisonous plants and animals. It's good to ask an adult which plants are good to press. Some of our suggestions are: violets, daisys, dogwood blossoms, apple blossoms, and wild rose petals. Some things to avoid are: ivys (especially poison ivy!), and large flowers like  irises.

Start building your flower press with a piece of cardboard, then add a sheet of waxed paper. Arrange the flowers on the waxed paper as they are to be pressed, then add a section of newspaper to absorb humidity. Use more waxed paper, flowers, and newspaper until you've built a formidable flower sandwich. Either wrap a belt around it and take it in your pack for handy flower preservation while hiking, or keep it at home and put the books to good use by stacking them on top!