All Activities
Make Plant Bookmarks

Make Plant Bookmarks
Green highlight

Make pressed plant bookmarks using leaves and flowers, glue, paper, and laminating sheets; learn plant identification, safe pressing techniques, and creative decoration.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Skill Badge
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make plant bookmarks

What you need
Adult supervision required, colouring materials, glue stick, heavy books, leaves and small flowers, newspaper or blotting paper, plain paper or cardstock, plant identification guide or app, scissors, self-adhesive laminating sheets or clear contact paper

Step 1

Gather all the materials and set them on a clean flat workspace.

Step 2

With an adult collect 6 to 10 small flat leaves and flowers that are dry and not damaged.

Step 3

Lay one clean sheet of newspaper or blotting paper flat on the table.

Step 4

Arrange your leaves and flowers flat on the newspaper without overlapping them.

Step 5

Cover the arranged plants with another sheet of newspaper or blotting paper.

Step 6

Place heavy books on top to press the plants flat.

Step 7

Wait 7 to 10 days until the plants are dry and flat.

Step 8

Carefully open the books and lift out the pressed plants.

Step 9

Cut the paper or cardstock into bookmark rectangles about 2 inches by 6 inches.

Step 10

Arrange the pressed plants on a bookmark to plan a design you like.

Step 11

Apply glue to the back of each pressed plant with a glue stick.

Step 12

Place the glued plants onto the bookmark and press them gently to stick.

Step 13

Use a plant identification guide or app to identify each plant and write its name on the back of the bookmark.

Step 14

Cover the finished bookmark with a self-adhesive laminating sheet or clear contact paper and smooth out any air bubbles.

Step 15

Share your finished pressed plant bookmark on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder
Challenge badge

Help!?

What can we use instead of self-adhesive laminating sheets or clear contact paper?

If self-adhesive laminating sheets or clear contact paper aren't available, cover both sides of the finished bookmark with clear packing tape or seal it inside a laminator pouch and run it through a home laminator to protect the pressed plants.

What should we do if the leaves aren't flat or are moldy after the 7 to 10 day pressing?

If plants are still damp, wrinkled, or moldy after the 7–10 days, reopen the books, replace the damp newspaper with fresh blotting paper, ensure the leaves aren't overlapping, and press again under heavier books for several more days.

How can I adapt the activity for younger children or older kids?

For preschoolers, have an adult pre-press plants and pre-cut 2×6-inch cardstock so the child can simply arrange and glue leaves with a glue stick, while older kids can press their own specimens, use tweezers to place tiny flowers, and write scientific names on the back.

How can we extend or personalize the finished bookmarks?

To personalize and extend the project, follow the step to identify each plant and write its name on the back, add the collection date and location, punch a hole in the top of the 2×6-inch bookmark for a ribbon, and create themed sets to share on DIY.org or give as gifts.

Watch videos on how to make plant bookmarks

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Easy Origami Flower Bookmark Tutorial | DIY Paper Bookmark Craft | Pallavi's Art Space #papercrafts

4 Videos

Facts about botany and plant identification

🪴 Flat leaves and delicate flowers press best—succulents and thick petals often squish or retain moisture.

📚 Herbaria around the world hold millions of plant specimens that scientists use to track how plants change over time.

🌿 Herbarium specimens can last for centuries when plants are carefully pressed, dried, and stored on acid-free paper.

🎨 Laminating your pressed-plant bookmarks seals and protects the fragile pieces so they survive spills and daily use.

🧻 Pressing plants between blotting paper or newspaper with steady weight dries them gently and helps prevent mold.

How to make pressed plant bookmarks with kids

Collect non-poisonous leaves and flat flowers, then press them between absorbent paper (like baking paper) and heavy books for 1–2 weeks, or use a flower press. Cut cardstock into bookmark-sized strips, arrange the pressed pieces, and glue them down with acid-free glue. Cover both sides with laminating sheets or clear contact paper, trim edges, and add a punched hole with ribbon for finishing. Label plants if you like.

Materials needed for pressed plant bookmarks

You’ll need fresh, non-toxic leaves and flowers, absorbent paper or paper towels, heavy books or a flower press, cardstock or thick paper, acid-free glue, scissors or craft knife (adult use), tweezers for delicate placement, laminating sheets or clear contact paper, a hole punch and ribbon, and a marker or label for plant names. Optional: a field guide or plant ID app for learning names.

What ages are pressed plant bookmarks suitable for

This activity suits children about 5+ with close adult help for collecting, cutting, and gluing; ages 8–12 can work more independently. Younger children enjoy arranging and decorating while adults handle pressing and laminating. Adapt for toddlers by pre-pressing plants and letting them stick pre-cut shapes onto cardstock. Always supervise any cutting, choking hazards, or handling of plants.

Safety tips and benefits of making plant bookmarks

Benefits include learning plant ID, observation, fine motor skills, patience, and creative expression. Safety tips: only collect non-poisonous, non-protected plants, wash hands after handling, avoid plants that cause skin irritation (like poison ivy), supervise scissors and laminating tools, and check for allergies. Teach respectful foraging—take small samples from common plants and follow local rules about picking in parks or protected areas.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.