Here’s the Spring variation of our ever so popular snail seed mosaics! This is an easy Spring project that your children can easily make themselves using any thin cardboard and pressed flowers. If you do not have pressed flowers on hand and need them quickly, you can find instructions below on how to dry and press flowers quickly using a microwave. We typically press our flowers between parchment paper between the pages of a heavy book a couple weeks prior to when we need them. You’ll also find a printable pattern below with the template for a snail shape that you can cut and trace.

Materials:

– thin cardboard or cardstock
– dried pressed flowers *See instructions below on how to press flowers quickly
– mod podge matte or plain school glue (diluted a bit with water)
– paint brush (designated for crafts) or glue brush

Download the Snail Pattern

How to make pressed flower cardboard snails

Step 1: Cut out your shapes

Download the printable pattern above and print at 100%. Cut pattern out and use to trace and cut out your snail shape out of cardboard or cardstock.

Step 2: Attach your pressed flowers and tentacles

Use a paint brush or glue brush to paint a thin layer of mod podge or diluted school glue on the snail cutout. Place your pressed flowers* on top and gently press down to attach. After the first layer is dry, gently place a second layer of mod podge or glue over the flowers. The mod podge will look white when wet but will dry clear. Add a dab of glue to attach small sticks as tentacles. Let dry completely.

* How to dry and press flowers quickly using a microwave
If you don’t have pressed flowers on hand, you can press and dry fresh flowers quickly using a microwave. To do so, place your flowers on top of the rotating dish in your microwave between two paper towels. Place a flat microwave-safe dish (such as a ceramic baking dish) on top to weigh it down. Microwave in 15 second increments, checking on them each time for dry-ness. You may need to shift the flowers around during the process so that they dry completely. Remove carefully, as some portions may stick to the paper towels. Set aside all of the used paper towels to use for cleaning, or compost them.