Create a unique floral bouquet with your kids to celebrate spring.

The daffodil is certainly beautiful without any help from us, but this activity is fun for your kids, teaches a science lesson and in the end you'll have a beautiful spring bouquet!
I feel like such a great mom when I combine a fun activity with something educational!

You may have enough daffodils in your garden to spare some for this project.
If not, purchase a bunch from a florist or grocery store.  I wasn’t able to find any white daffodils locally, so I had to use yellow daffodils and white tulips.

You’ll Need:
Daffodils (white variety works best), white tulips or paper whites
Clear glass jars or drinking glasses
Liquid food color
Scissors

Ask your children what colors they want to make; red, blue and green will have the most dramatic results, but your children may want to mix colors to make purple and orange. Once you’ve established the colors, fill your glass jars or drinking glasses one-third full with water. Using scissors, snip about 1/4-1/2 inch off the bottom of the flower stems. 
Distribute the flowers among the glass jars. Now, have your children drop about 6-10 drops of food coloring into each glass.

 
Leave the flowers to drink up their color…this will take several hours.

When you start to see the color on the tips of the blooms encourage your children to take a peak.
If you look closely you can see little lines or veins of color in the flower. 

It’s not magic…it’s science!
Do you remember doing this project in science class using celery stalks?
I’ve enjoyed it ever since.

How it Works
The flowers have small tubes called xylem. Water moves up the xylem through a process called capillary action. 
The petals of the flowers have small holes, but we can't see them. Water evaporates through these holes. This is called transpiration. After the water evaporates, the flower needs more, so it drinks the colored water. The water evaporates and leaves the color behind.
Try it with other white flowers; carnations, daisies, baby's breath, Queen Anne's lace and even white roses.
Submit your results below...I'd love to see them!

Related Links...
Spring Craft Ideas for Kids
Easter Crafts and Family Fun from AmazingMoms.com

See you next week... and remember to keep life fun and festive!
Kit