I Make a Herbarium

Garden Activities

Updated on: 09/10/2025 By Laetitia

Discover the richness of nature and explore the diversity of natural elements by creating your own herbarium. Children will have the opportunity to identify and gather various flowers and plants to compose their herbarium. They will then meticulously dry them in a press before collecting them in a special album. To make a herbarium, you only need to follow 4 steps: go foraging and collect your plants, clean and remove debris (soil, insects, dust) from your plants, place your plants to dry in a herbarium press, and then assemble your dried plants by gluing them into an album or a blank notebook.

Here are some additional details to help you:

Collecting Plants: During your foraging, it is essential to collect plants responsibly, avoiding the harvesting of protected species or damaging the environment.
Gently Clean Your Plants with a cloth or a little water. If the plants are very large, you can cut them into smaller pieces to facilitate the pressing process.
Place the plants between the sheets of your special flower press, avoiding overlapping, to allow for even drying. Let the plants dry for several weeks or months, ensuring they are kept in a dry, airy place. The drying process allows the plants to retain their shape and color while eliminating moisture.
Once the plants are completely dry, you can create your compositions in an album or notebook. Use thick paper, adhesive strips to attach the plants to the pages. You can also add labels with information about the plants, such as their common name and scientific name. Finally, store your herbarium in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight, moisture, and insects.

A herbarium is a wonderful way to document and preserve the beauty of nature. It helps to learn to recognize different plant species, understand their diversity, and keep track of your botanical discoveries. This exciting activity is enjoyed by all ages and encourages an appreciation for nature, seasonal changes, and creativity. A herbarium is a collection of dried and pressed plants, organized and preserved in an album or binder.