Activity Time: Forget-Me-Not Flowers

Forget-me-not flowers are a very important part of Newfoundland’s cultural identity.

Many people wear them on July 1 when Newfoundland observes Memorial Day. On this day we remember and honour the sacrifice of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment at the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel in 1916.

The blue of the forget-me-not symbolizes loyalty, and the flower itself is hardy – just like Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Here is how you can make your very own forget-me-not at home!

Things you will need:

Scissors

Tissue Paper (Having a few shades of blue is best! We also use yellow and white)

Yellow Buttons

Green Pipe Cleaner

Flower Template- Can be found at https://tinyurl.com/rj23way

Pen or Pencil

Instructions:

1. Trace the shape of the flower template onto your tissue paper.

2. Follow your tracing and cut out the flowers. Make sure you have a few of each colour!

3. Stack the tissue paper and poke the pipe cleaner through all the layers!

4. Slide a button onto the pipe cleaner in the centre of your flower.

5. Poke the end of the pipe cleaner through the other hole in the button and back through the tissue paper. Wrap the end around the stem!

6. Voila! You have your very own forget-me-not!

Optional:

Scrunch the tissue paper to make it more life-like.

Add a leaf to the stem using another pipe cleaner!

Get creative! Use different colours tissue paper to make your own special flower! Red and pink make beautiful poppies!