Pressed flower jars

These beautiful jars are a fun, simple project, and make lovely decorations when filled with fresh flowers, pens and pencils – or even just as they are.

A jamjar with flowers stuck to it

See how many types of flowers you can use.

This guide is part of our Sense Arts, Sport & Wellbeing programme. This activity can be done at a time that suits you, either in your own space or in an educational setting.

Who is this for?

This is a crafting activity for people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities and can be enjoyed by anyone.

Why does this make a difference?

This is a creative, sensory activity that helps people learn by engaging with nature and using their senses to connect with their surroundings, exploring touch and different textures while supporting independent choice. 

Who is this for?

This is a crafting activity for people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities.

How to do this activity

Materials to make a pressed flower jar, including a plain jar, a book, and a paintbrush resting on some glue

What you’ll need

  • Fresh flowers and leaves
  • Tissue or toilet paper
  • Elastic bands
  • Glass jars or bottles
  • PVA glue
  • A paintbrush
  • An old book to work as a flower press, and several more heavy books to use as weights.   

Step 1

Go on a nature walk or look around the garden for flowers or leaves you would like to press. Try to pick a good variety to ensure you have options when it comes to decorating, as different flowers dry differently.
Flowers in a book

Step 2

Place the flowers and leaves between the book pages, leaving several pages between each batch. If you’re worried about damaging your book, you can place the flowers between two layers of tissue to protect the pages. When you’re done, close the book, and leave for a few days weighed under a small pile of heavy books.

Step 3

When the flowers are finished pressing, carefully peel the tissue paper away (if used) and remove them from the book. Decide which ones to use on your jar, and how you want to lay them out.
Applying flowers to a jar using a paintbrush and glue

Step 4

Using the glue and paintbrush, attach the flowers to the jar. Then paint a second layer of glue over the whole jar and leave to dry. The glue will dry clear, so don’t worry about any blobs or white bits!

Step 1

Step 2

Flowers in a book

Place the flowers and leaves between the book pages, leaving several pages between each batch. If you’re worried about damaging your book, you can place the flowers between two layers of tissue to protect the pages. When you’re done, close the book, and leave for a few days weighed under a small pile of heavy books. 

Step 3

When the flowers are finished pressing, carefully peel the tissue paper away (if used) and remove them from the book. Decide which ones to use on your jar, and how you want to lay them out. 

Step 4

Applying flowers to a jar using a paintbrush and glue

Using the glue and paintbrush, attach the flowers to the jar. Then paint a second layer of glue over the whole jar and leave to dry. The glue will dry clear, so don’t worry about any blobs or white bits!

A finished pressed flower jar