This cardboard flower craft is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers and even older kids. We are using an empty toilet paper roll for the cardboard, but you can head to your recycling bin and choose any type of cardboard to use. We used our finished cardboard flower for a simple DIY necklace, but cardboard flowers have unlimited possibilities! Make cardboard flower bouquets, use the cardboard flowers to decorate or make a really pretty cardboard flower ring.

Cardboard Flower Craft for Kids Using Recycled Cardboard

Today we are making a very simple flower craft that works well for even younger kids. If your child is struggling with scissor skills, you can help by cutting out the flower shape. Since every flower is completely different, you don’t need to cut things perfectly or follow a flower pattern.

Related: More cardboard crafts

Our recycling bin was full of empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls so that is the recycled cardboard we chose. You could also use a cardstock or heavy construction paper too. When using a toilet paper or paper towel roll, the trick is how you cut the roll which we will show you below.

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 SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR CARDBOARD FLOWER CRAFT

• Toilet Paper Roll or other cardboard
• (Optional) Acrylic Paint
• (Optional) Oil Pastel Crayons
• (Optional) Button
• Hole punch
• String or Yarn
• Glue

DIRECTIONS TO MAKE A PAPER FLOWER

Step 1 – Cut the Cardboard

Cut your cardboard into 2 squares:

• Larger square should be about the size (or a little larger) that you want your finished flower to be. Our square was about 2 1/2 inches x 2 1/2 inches.
• Smaller square should be 3/4 to 1/2 as large as larger square as we will be using this as a layer of the flower.

If you are using a toilet paper roll, craft roll or paper towel roll, cut the cardboard cylinder in half lengthwise (like a hot dog bun, not a hamburger bun).  

Related: More toilet paper roll crafts 

Step 2 – Paint, Color or Use Pastels to Make the Flower Petals

Now we are going to make the flower colorful. Use whatever is easiest to cover the cardboard of each of the squares with color (it doesn’t have to be in any sort of pattern).

Craft Tip: Use two different colors that contrast for each of the squares to make the flower pop!

We painted the larger square first and after the paint dried, my kids layered on top with oil pastel crayons.  My three-year-old could have done this forever!

Step 3 – Trace a Flower Pattern

Then, flip your project over to trace the flower shape on the back of the larger square. You can free-hand this or if you do want to use a flower template, here are a few suggestions:

• Free printable flower template
• Easy flower draw – tutorial you can follow
• Use one of our free flower coloring pages

You could also trace a smaller pattern onto the smaller square or do what I did and free-hand a zig zag pattern using scissors in the next step.

Step 4 – Cut a Flower from Cardboard

Using scissors, cut the flower shapes out of both squares.

Step 5 – Punch & Thread

Punch two holes from the bottom layer (the larger flower shape) and thread your string through these holes. 

Step 6 – Layer the Flower Shapes

1. Add a little glue over the string in the middle of the large flower shape.
2. Push the smaller flower shape on top to secure.
3. Add another layer of glue to the middle of the smaller flower shape.
4. Attach the button to the middle.
5. Let it dry.

FINISHED CARDBOARD FLOWER CRAFT

SUGGESTED VARIATIONS FOR CARDBOARD FLOWER CRAFT

• You can curl and shape the tips of the flower after putting it together like we did to make it look more like a realistic flower.
• Use a pipe cleaner instead of string if you want your flower to be easily attached or used as a ring.
• Make a bunch of flowers to string together on string or pipe cleaner.
• Use the end of a green pipe cleaner to loop through the holes in the flower base and the rest of the pipe cleaner as a stem for a bouquet! Add cardboard leaves!

OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CARDBOARD FLOWER CRAFT

My three-year-old can’t leave the house without wearing jewelry, so we had to come up with a way to turn toilet paper rolls into a necklace (because we LOVE toilet paper roll crafts).

This toilet paper roll necklace is sure to be a hit with kids. This easy flower craft is something we have made over and over again with different results in mind.

MORE FLOWER & JEWELRY CRAFTS FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG

• Wow, look at this DIY Jewelry made from recycled magazines.
• Easy origami flowers kids can make!
• Did you know you can make jewelry out of straws?
• Let’s make paper flowers!
• Check out these cool ways to make homemade jewelry.
• Paper flower bouquet craft that kids love to make and give.
• Try making this awesome edible jewelry!
• 10 easy ways how to make a flower.
• I love these 10 DIY jewelry projects for kids.
• Did you know you could turn your kids artwork into fun DIY jewelry?
• More flower crafts for kids.

How did your cardboard flower craft turn out? Comment below, we’d love to hear from you!