How to Press and Preserve Flowers with Your Family

Learn simple methods to press and preserve flowers, creating lasting memories and beautiful keepsakes with children of all ages.

1. Choose the Right Flowers. Pick flowers on a dry day, ideally in the late morning after the dew has evaporated. Look for flowers that are fresh and fully open, but not overripe or wilted. Flat flowers like pansies, violets, and daisies work best for beginners. Thicker flowers like roses need special preparation - remove some petals or cut the flower in half. Avoid flowers that are wet, damaged, or starting to fade. Small leaves and ferns also press beautifully and add variety to your collection.
2. Gather Your Pressing Materials. You'll need absorbent paper like parchment paper, newspaper, or coffee filters - avoid paper towels as they can stick to flowers. Heavy books work perfectly as weights, or you can buy a flower press from a craft store. You'll also want tweezers for handling delicate flowers, and labels to mark the date and flower type. If using books, make sure they're ones you don't mind getting slightly damp, as flowers release moisture during pressing.
3. Press Your Flowers. Place flowers face-down on your absorbent paper, making sure they don't overlap or touch each other. Gently flatten any curled petals with your finger. Cover with another sheet of paper, then place this sandwich between the pages of a heavy book, about 1/8 of the way from the back. Stack more books on top or place the book under a heavy object. Store in a dry place away from humidity. Don't peek for at least two weeks - patience is key! Most flowers are fully pressed and ready after 2-4 weeks.
4. Create Beautiful Projects. Once your flowers are completely dry and flat, carefully remove them with tweezers. You can frame them between two pieces of glass, glue them onto bookmarks or greeting cards, or create a nature journal. For a simple start, arrange pressed flowers on cardstock and cover with clear contact paper or laminate them. Consider making placemats, decorating picture frames, or creating personalized stationery. Always handle pressed flowers gently as they become quite fragile.
5. Store and Preserve Your Collection. Keep pressed flowers in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Store them flat between sheets of acid-free paper in a box or folder. Label each flower with the date pressed and type if known. For long-term storage, consider using archival-quality materials. If you notice any moisture or mold, remove affected flowers immediately. Properly stored pressed flowers can last for many years, becoming a beautiful record of your family's nature explorations.