While parks and playgrounds are closed, we can still appreciate nature in our own backyard or when going for walks while practicing safe social distance.  And appreciating flowers and making arts using flowers can be a great activity to do with young children.

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Start by appreciating all the different flowers in our backyards, be it wild flowers, planted flowers.  Encourage children to use all their senses, such as look closely at the flowers, the bud, seeds, the colours, size, number of petals; smelling the flowers, appreciate the softness of petals or the edges of leaves and thorns.   Be mindful of safety such as poisonous plants or the thorns, prickles, or spines.

If flowers are in your own backyard and is safe to pick, you can also use the flowers for activities, such as making flower collages, paint with flowers, or pressed flowers art.   Research and learn more about the names of flowers, which pollinators are attracted to which flowers, and so on.   Discover and appreciate the beauty of the amazing world of flowers by stopping and smelling the flowers.