Not long ago, we learned our next-door neighbor was sick. She had surgery and was recovering quickly, but I wanted to send over something to show we’d been thinking of her.
Naturally, I wanted to involve Peeper. We set to making a paper bouquet of coffee filter flowers.
Lessons in empathy
Peeper is still too young to understand why we were making the bouquet, and thank goodness. How wonderful to be unaware of things like cancer, anesthesia and prognoses. But it’s important to instill the value of doing nice things for others, so we made our own thinking-of-you package instead of buying a bouquet or card at the store.
One of the nice things about these coffee filter flowers is you almost definitely have the materials on hand. What’s more, it’s ridiculously easy and simple enough for even toddlers to do.
What are you waiting for? Even if you don’t know someone who’s ill, you do know someone whose day would be brightened by a hand-made flower or two.
Coffee Filter Bouquets
You’ll need:
- Coffee filters
- Watercolor paints
- A spray bottle with water
- Scissors
- Pipe cleaners
- Newspaper or a tablecloth
Instructions:
- Lay out a coffee filter on some newspaper (which will soak up extra paint and water).
- Spray the coffee filter evenly with water so it’s damp but not soaked. (Peeper loved this part!)
- Paint the filter and watch the colors bleed and spread into each other.
- Continue painting other coffee filters—you’ll need about six per flower.
- Let the coffee filters dry.
- When they’re dry, stack about 6 filters on top of each other. Fold them in half and snip two holes near the center of the half-moon.
- Guide a pipe cleaner up through one hole and back down the other hole. Twist the pipe cleaner around itself on the underside of the stack of filters. This makes the stem.
- Starting with the top one, scrunch up the coffee filters to make the layers of petals.
That’s it! Now you’re ready to brighten someone’s day.
Do you have a go-to craft to show someone you’re thinking of them?
Not a toddler (I think?!) but I really want to incorporate these into my fall decor!
I’d love to see how they turn out!
What a cute idea! And Peeper, you are such a doll!
Thanks Erin! She loved to smell the flowers. 😉
This is one of the better DIYs I’ve seen. Love that you used to your daughter as the applicator of the knowledge.
Thank you Geoff! She is an inspiration for crafts because I’m always trying to do new things with her.
Loved how you got Peeper involved and instilling community values early!
She was more interested in the neighbor’s cat, but still. 😉
What a fun project! Love the photos.
Fun! How cute are those?!!!
Thank you!
What a great idea! I always like receiving gifts from kids. They are extra special. I bet your friend appreciated it very much.
I think so. She was definitely smiling, and it gave us a chance to chat for a few minutes and check in.
What an adorable idea! I’m sure your neighbor loved them!
Coffee filters are such a great item to keep in your craft box! (If you want to avoid paint, you can do this with water-based markers too.)
Awww… This is SUCH a precious idea!!!!