Make an Iris Flower - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Make an Iris Flower!

Make a colorful paper iris flower using tissue paper, scissors, glue, and pipe cleaner; practice folding, cutting, and arranging petals safely.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make a tissue paper iris flower

What you need

Tissue paper, scissors, glue stick or liquid glue, pipe cleaner, pencil, scrap of cardstock or construction paper, adult supervision required

Step 1

Lay out your materials on a clean flat workspace so everything is easy to reach.

Step 2

Stack three tissue paper sheets in colors you like for the iris petals.

Step 3

Cut nine squares about 8 cm wide from the stacked tissue paper so you have three squares of each color.

Step 4

Fold each square in half and then fold it in half again to make a small folded square.

Step 5

Draw a rounded petal shape on the folded corner of each folded square with your pencil.

Step 6

Cut along the pencil line on each folded square to create petal shapes.

Step 7

Carefully unfold each cut piece to reveal the full petals.

Step 8

Cut a small bright rectangle of tissue paper about 4 cm by 10 cm for the flower center.

Step 9

Fold that small rectangle lengthwise once so the fringes will be even.

Step 10

Cut small slits along the long open edge of the folded rectangle to make a fringe without cutting all the way through and then roll the strip tightly and glue the end to hold the roll.

Step 11

Arrange the larger petals in a circle on the cardstock then glue them down and add the smaller petals on top then glue the fringed center into the middle and tuck one end of the pipe cleaner under the glued petals to make the stem and secure it with a little glue.

Step 12

Take a photo of your colorful iris and share your finished creation on DIY.org

Help!?

What can I use instead of tissue paper if I can't find it?

If you don't have tissue paper, use crepe paper or thin colored printer paper and still cut nine 8 cm squares, fold and cut them the same way to make the petals.

My petals tore or won't open evenly after cutting — what should I do?

If the folded squares tear when you cut the rounded petal shape, use sharper scissors, redraw the pencil petal line slightly smaller than the folded corner, and cut slowly so the unfolded petals stay intact.

How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?

For preschoolers, have an adult pre-cut the nine 8 cm tissue squares and the 4 cm by 10 cm fringe strip so they only draw and glue petals onto the cardstock, while older kids can make finer fringes, layer more petals, and design complex color patterns themselves.

How can we extend or personalize our iris flower project?

To personalize the iris, glue green tissue-paper leaves under the glued petals, twist two pipe cleaners together for a sturdier stem, and add a tiny dab of glitter glue to the fringed center before photographing your finished creation for DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make a tissue paper iris flower

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Paper Iris Flower Tutorial DIY Crafts

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Facts about paper flower crafts

🌸 The iris flower has about 300 species and is named after Iris, the Greek messenger goddess of the rainbow — no wonder they come in so many colors!

🎨 Tissue paper is super thin and translucent, so layering sheets makes bright, glowing petals for paper flowers.

✂️ Fold-and-cut techniques create mirror-image petals, so one neat fold can make lots of identical petals quickly.

🐝 Real irises attract pollinators like bees and butterflies with vivid colors and sweet nectar.

🧵 Pipe cleaners (chenille stems) are bendy and hold shape well, making them perfect for sturdy flower stems and fun details.

How do I make a colorful paper iris flower with my child?

Start by stacking 3–5 sheets of tissue paper in your chosen colors. Fold the stack accordion-style or in half, then cut rounded petal shapes from the folded edge. Unfold and layer petals to form the iris, offsetting colors. Secure the center with a dab of glue, then wrap a pipe cleaner around the base as a stem and twist to hold. Trim edges and fluff petals for a full look, supervising scissors use.

What materials do I need to make a paper iris flower?

You’ll need colored tissue paper, child-safe scissors, white glue or a glue stick, and pipe cleaners for stems. Optional items: a ruler, pencil, cardstock template for petal shapes, craft mat or newspaper, and a stapler or small pieces of tape as an alternative to glue. Keep wipes and a container for scraps handy to keep the workspace tidy and safe.

What ages is the paper iris flower activity suitable for?

This activity suits ages about 4–10. Ages 4–5 benefit from guided help with folding and cutting while practicing fine motor skills. Ages 6–7 can cut and assemble with occasional supervision for glue and twisting the pipe cleaner. Ages 8+ can design variations independently. Always supervise younger children with scissors and small parts and adapt tools—use safety scissors for preschoolers.

What are the benefits of making paper iris flowers?

Making paper iris flowers builds fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and scissor control. It encourages color recognition, planning, and sequencing as kids follow steps to assemble petals. The craft also boosts creativity and patience while offering sensory play with tissue texture. Working together supports language and social skills when children describe colors and steps, and finishing a project gives a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Ready to create?