This DIY hanging flower cone craft is a perfect way for kids to get hands-on with spring holidays, using simple materials like painted paper bags and a dash of creativity. Express artful appreciation through these eco-friendly handmade gifts, adding a personal touch to spring celebrations like Mother’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, and May Day.
Back in my college days, I picked up a sweet tradition from a roommate who was all about celebrating May Day in style. We would spend an evening making spring mixed tapes while rolling up hanging flower cones, a throwback to ancient spring rituals, and hang them on friends’ dorm doors on May 1st.
It was a simple way of ringing in the season of renewal and was always such a hit with friends coming home from a long day.
This is the kind of creative rite you can easily pass along to your own kids as spring comes into full bloom. Whether they’re making them for friends, neighbors, grandparents, or teachers, these lovely flower baskets are sure to provide a fresh, vibrant kick to the start of their spring.
Watch the tutorial video and make May Day flower baskets along with us!
Music: Early Bird by | e s c p | https://www.escp.space https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
For those of you holding on to a mile-high stash of mini masterpieces, these painted pockets can also provide a wonderful opportunity to cull the collection and recycle your kids’ artwork into functional odes to garden season.
For more fun spring flower crafts for kids, visit our pounded flower art tutorial, design your own surprise pop-out secret garden, make monochromatic flower art, or create a paper bouquet card for someone special.
To make your own painted May Day baskets you’ll need:
Note: We prefer to shop locally or use what we have at home, but this list contains Woodpeckers Crafts, Etsy, Blick Art Materials, Bookshop.org and/or Amazon affiliate links for reference. As affiliates (and Amazon Associates), we make a small commission on qualifying purchases.*
BASIC SUPPLIES:
- Paper bags, kraft paper, newspaper, wrapping paper, or similar
- Scissors
- Paint
- Paintbrushes or stamps
- A glue stick or tape
- A hole punch
- Ribbon, twine, or similar
FOR THE FLOWERS:
- A wet paper towel
- Cling wrap, tin foil, or similar
- A rubber band
How to Make Painted Paper Bag Flower Cones – DIY Instructions
Trim the paper or paper bags to size.
Grab some paper – any paper! I happened to have a roll of brown kraft paper, paper bags, and newspaper, but you can use whatever you have. Wrapping paper, newsprint, parchment paper, even old book pages.
If you’re using brown grocery bags, flatten them out and remove any handles or excess pieces. I folded a big piece of brown paper in half and trimmed it to make a roughly 8-10-inch square, which works well for small bouquets. Doubling the paper over gives it a little more strength so it can withstand a weightier bouquet or windy May day on a door knob.
There’s no need to worry about exact measurements for this, and you don’t need to trim the newspaper at all.
Paint and decorate.
Here’s where the real fun begins! Lay out your paper bags or newspaper sheets on a protected surface and let the kids go wild with art and mark-making supplies. They can paint, stamp, scribble, make handprints – anything goes!
You don’t need fancy stamps either. I made a quick makeshift circle stamp out of a bottle cap. But you can use cardboard, foam, wood blocks, fruits and vegetables like apples and potatoes, or anything else you might already have at home.
Once the paint dries, you can add additional decorations. Use stickers, draw designs with markers, or even sprinkle some eco-friendly glitter while the paint is still tacky. Every element added makes the cones more personal and special.
Form the paper cones.
After the painted papers are dry, it’s time to form them into cones. This step might require a bit more adult supervision for younger makers.
Roll each sheet into a cone shape, adjusting the tightness at the top based on how wide you want the opening to be. Secure the edge with glue or tape. Colored masking tape or washi tape can be decoration all on its own!
Punch holes for hanging.
Punch two holes about an inch and a half from the top edge of each cone, opposite each other on each side.
Thread the ribbon hanger.
Thread a ribbon or a piece of twine through the holes and securely knot the ends. You can tie the ends together, or tie knots at both sides – either way works, just make sure the ribbon is secure as these cones will be carrying the weight of some beautiful blooms!
For extra spring-ish vibes (or to alert your friend or neighbor that there’s a surprise at their door) add a string of small bells at the bottom. Gentle chimes in a spring breeze!
Fill with flowers!
Now, for the best part—filling the cones with flowers. If you’re preparing for Mother’s Day or May Day, fresh spring flowers like tulips, daffodils, or wildflowers are perfect for this craft.
Trim them to fit the size of your cone. To make sure your flowers hold up while they’re waiting to be found and arranged in a vase, you can wrap the bottom with a wet (not dripping!) paper towel, then cover it with a piece of cling wrap or similar, and secure with a rubber band.
Tuck the flowers into your cone and they’re ready for gifting!
For a lasting arrangement that can be used as a keepsake, painted paper flowers are a great alternative.
A spring-y kid-made surprise fit for flower lovers of any age!
More Variations to Try With Your Kids
1. Decorate with fabric
Invite the kids to explore different textures by incorporating materials like old fabric scraps, lace, or burlap into their designs. These can be glued onto the paper bags before or after painting, creating a layered, tactile effect. This method not only recycles old fabric but also adds a unique touch to each cone.
2. Add nature supplies
Incorporate elements from nature in your craft. Kids can collect fallen leaves, petals, or even thin twigs to press into the paint while it’s still wet or to glue on after it’s dried. This not only creates a beautiful natural look but also helps children learn about the textures and colors found in their own backyards.
3. Make collaged cones
Turn the cones into a collage project by using old magazines, scrap paper, or even old drawings. Kids can cut out images and words to glue onto their cones, creating a multimedia display that is visually striking and rich in personal expression. This is a great way to reuse paper and engage kids in critical thinking about art composition and visual storytelling.
4. Create a set of seasonal DIY stamps
For a truly customized approach, kids can create their own stamps out of potatoes, or craft foam to make unique prints on their paper bags. This technique allows them to experiment with patterns and repetition, and they can use their homemade stamps for future art projects as well.
5. Stash other surprises inside
Transform the cones into multi-functional pieces. Besides holding flowers, these cones can be fitted with a small plastic lining to hold candies or small treats for a sweet surprise. Alternatively, inserting a small pouch can turn them into secret holders for messages or small gifts.
More Flower Crafts and Activities for Kids
Spring is such a fantastic season for kids’ project inspiration and our site is abloom with more flower-themed crafts and activities. Whether your kids are just discovering the magic of spring for the first time or are excited about the return of a favorite season, one of these flower-inspired favorites will be a lovely option for an afternoon celebrating fresh blossoms.
- Garden playdough activity
- Twig and tissue paper flowers
- Modern patterned flower collages
- DIY bud vases from old building blocks
- Our favorite kids’ spring gardening ideas
GETTING READY TO TRY this?
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