Spiral Paper Flower Math Activity Inspired by the Book Madeline

Explore a charming Madeline-inspired math activity with flowers that helps kids practice counting, patterns, and number recognition through hands-on fun. Plus a fun step by step tutorial for how to create paper flowers with your child.

Finding ways to encourage our children to think of others is a social skill we focus on teaching our children.

Colorful spiral paper flowers in yellow pot made by kids

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This months’ book Madeline gives an opportunity to talk with your child about expressing concern for a loved one and sending them well wishes from your heart. We are enjoying the classic book Madeline and putting a special flower spin on the lesson from it.

Are you ready to count to twelve in this precious story?

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Listen to: Read Aloud of Madeline

Madeline Flower Activity for Math

There are twelve girls in the story Madeline, you see it over and over again. It’s the perfect time to talk about a dozen. There are two times you talk about a dozen with either eggs or flowers. I thought it might be a lot of fun for the kids to recreate a dozen with flowers.

In the story, there is a part where all of the girls bring flowers to Madeline in the hospital.

Flower Counting Game and Craft for Preschoolers

It’s something we want to teach our kids to do when someone is not feeling well to brighten their day. Plus giving flowers is a way to show someone you are thankful for them, perfect for this time of year.

So let’s create some spiral paper flowers!

Madeline Math Activity with Flowers. Plus a creative way to teach kids to share their well wishes to others during this time of thanks.

Materials

12 Sheets of Colorful Scrapbook Paper
Hot Glue {adult tasks}
Scissors
Paper Straws
Vase or Container
Glass Beads

Directions to Make

1. Cut out 12 circles from the scrapbook paper. Create a template and your child can trace out the circles. Make the circle around 7 inches in diameter.

2. {Adult Task} Warm up glue gun or use heavy craft glue.

3. Using scissors cut out a spiral from the outside to the inside of the circle. Leave enough of the circle to glue the rolled paper onto.

4. Starting from the outside tightly roll the paper following the spiral cut all the way to the middle of the circle.

Rolling Paper to make Paper Flowers with Kids

5. Allow paper to unroll slightly to create flower shape to sit on remaining circle.

6. **Adults** then use hot glue to place on the remainder circle and attached the formed flower from the paper that’s been rolled.

7. Once glue is cool on each flower attach to the paper straw using the hot glue.

Once you make your first few flowers it gets pretty easy. Making paper flowers is something I’ve done with years with my kids and even when I was a kid. If you need more help with making your flowers search out on Pinterest Spiral Paper Flower Tutorial.

If you want to get a little bit fancier Check out on Amazon a Cricut and the Flower Shoppe Cartridge.

How to Play Madeline Flower Game

Once your spiral paper flowers are complete it’s time to play! Take the flowers and encourage your child to place them into the container. To help them flowers stand up you can place glass beads or rocks at the bottom. If you’re hosting a book club you could even have the kids recreate the scene in the story where they bring the flowers in one by one.

Flower Math Game for Kids inspired by the book Madeline

Create a Number out of your extra scrapbook paper for your child to match the flowers to as they arrange them building up to number 12.

Create Math Facts for your child to solve using the flowers for older kids.

Join the Virtual Book Club for Kids

The Virtual Book Club Bloggers have created many activities for you to use with the book Madeline. Go visit and check them out and Pin to your Virtual Book Club Pinterest Board.