TinyStepper
Brown-haired girl crouching outdoors drawing chalk suns and flowers on pavement

Spring Blossom Collage

Collect fallen blossom petals and leaves, then glue them onto paper to create a colourful spring collage.

Activity details

2y–3y20 minslowbothGlue StickLeavesPaper

Instructions

Get ready
  • Go on a short collecting walk together — gather fallen petals, small leaves, daisies, grass, dandelion heads, and any other spring finds.
  • Bring the collection home and spread everything out on a table so your toddler can see the options.
  1. Go on a short collecting walk together — gather fallen petals, small leaves, daisies, grass, dandelion heads, and any other spring finds.
  2. Bring the collection home and spread everything out on a table so your toddler can see the options.
  3. Give them a sheet of paper or card — coloured or white, either works.
  4. Show them how to put a dab of glue on the paper and press a petal onto it.
  5. Let them choose what goes where — there is no right arrangement, just their creative decisions.
  6. Talk about the colours and textures as they work: 'That pink petal next to the green leaf looks lovely.'
  7. Fill the page, then leave the collage flat to dry for an hour or so.
  8. Display the finished collage on the fridge or a wall — it is a snapshot of spring they made themselves.

Parent tip

Set out glue stick and leaves before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Proud child holding up a painted sheet covered in bright handprints and splatters

What success looks like

Messy hands and a child who doesn’t want to stop. The artwork doesn’t need to look like anything — the process is the point.

Take a walk to collect fallen petals, small leaves, grass, and any other natural spring treasures, then sit down with paper and glue to arrange them into a collage. Your toddler chooses where each piece goes, experimenting with colour, texture, and layout. The result is a genuine piece of art made from the season itself.

Why it helps

Collage work develops spatial awareness and compositional thinking — children make decisions about placement, colour grouping, and coverage. The pinching, placing, and pressing actions refine the fine motor skills needed for later writing, while the open-ended nature of the task builds creative confidence and self-expression. The EYFS Expressive Arts and Design goals encourage open-ended creative activities where children can explore materials and express ideas without needing a fixed outcome.

Variations

  • Draw a simple tree trunk on the paper first and let your toddler glue petals on as blossom — a guided version for younger ones.
  • Use double-sided tape strips on the paper instead of glue for a less messy, quicker-sticking option.
  • Make a group collage with siblings or friends — each person adds to the same large sheet.

Safety tips

  • Check collected petals for insects before bringing them indoors — give everything a gentle shake first.
  • Use washable PVA glue to avoid staining clothes and surfaces.
  • If your toddler has sensitive skin, check collected plants for thorns or irritant sap before handling — some stems can cause mild rashes.

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