Jessica Keats’ designers presented styling ideas from the stage throughout WFE 2010. I didn’t see this one (World Floral Expo 2010 – Gallery; 1st row, left) being put together but I’m sure it had something to do with joining ordinary bud vases for a more interesting design, or making a table centerpiece that can be separated and given away to guests, or salvaging leftover flowers into a composite display that looks cute … but when I saw it I thought of kids. Must have had my grandchildren on my mind.

What a cute way to let the kids play with flowers! This is done with 2X5 bud vases laced together with tie wraps over bamboo (I don’t know … maybe they were talking about how to deliver bud vases safely?). But it could be done with 3X3, 3X4, 4X4 – or any combination of matching vases or bottles. The vessels could be bound with any attractive ribbon, raffia, or cord over any wooden dowels, chop sticks, or plastic rod.

Once the structure is made kids could have fun clipping flowers from a mixed bouquet or a vase of assorted flowers – filling the mini vases to their hearts content. And, any opportunistic mom (or “Gram”) would slip a little multiplication into the conversation. Com’on can YOU think of a more fun way to teach math to children?

If you are looking for a fun new art project for your youngster give flowers a try. Pick up a bouquet of flowers and enjoy them in a vase for a few days. Then allow your child to re-arrange the blooms into something smaller as the days go by.

The “Blooms” book from Flowerhandlers shows some quick design ideas in novelty containers (chapter 4, pg. 41) that can be done in any mini holiday or seasonal container that you have or find at a discount store. The “Tip-Sheet” # 19 offers a more elaborate project. Both are available free of charge at www.FlowerArrangingTips.com. Or, just save and clean some small interesting drink or condiment bottles to use as bud vases and let your child rearrange into them.

You’ll have to monitor the cutting process (a pair of flower clippers will do the trick nicely) depending on the age and skill level of your child. By re-cutting your flowers and placing them into shorter vases with clean water they will be refreshed and will live a little longer. The experience of arranging flowers is a fun activity that will give your child a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. And, they’ll take pride in displaying their designs around the home.