STEMing for Kids: Magic Blooming Flowers

By Christine Leavitt

A popular refrain states, “April showers bring May flowers.” As last month’s STEMing for Kids activity featured a rain cloud in a jar, it is fitting that this month’s activity is magic blooming flowers. For this STEM activity, you will need the following items:

1. Squares of colorful paper that are 3 inches on each side (the paper that you use can vary based on weight and thickness to add to the experiment)

2. Scissors

3. Stickers (optional)

4. Large bowl of water

First, you will need to cut the paper to make 4 connected flower petals in which each corner is the tip of a petal (see below):

Next, place a sticker in the center of each flower. Fold each of the four petals in half so that they cover the center sticker.

Finally, place the folded paper flowers into a bowl of water and watch as the petals unfold, making the flowers bloom.

As you are watching your flowers bloom, it is the perfect time to talk with your child about the science behind the blooming flowers. Why are the petals magically unfolding in the water, making the flowers bloom? The STEM Laboratory explains this magical science, stating:

Paper is made up of small fibers. When these fibers absorb water, they swell up and the paper expands. This makes the creases flatten out, which in turn makes the flower open.

Different types of paper soak up water at different speeds. This explains why a tissue paper flower opens almost immediately on contact with water while a cardstock flower may take a minute or so to slowly blossom. Experiment with several different kinds of paper to see for yourself!

Enjoy your blooming flowers that are easy to clean up and take minimal work to make!