Save A Few Pesky Dandelions In Your Yard For An Adorable Centerpiece DIY

Most adults consider dandelions to be pesky weeds that need to be eliminated. Children, however, see the magic in these puffballs and delight in blowing their seeds everywhere. If you haven't been able to stop dandelions from taking over your yard, you can recapture some of your childhood spirit by making cute centerpieces featuring dandelion seed heads. An added benefit is that once they're inside the jar, the seeds won't be able to blow across your lawn, spawning a new generation. Of course, after you've made a few of these stunning centerpieces, you might not mind having extra dandelions on hand.

You can make these tiny terrariums out of antique jars or any other type you have on hand. You'll need dandelions, a glass jar, a small rock, craft wire that's thin enough to fit inside the dandelion stem, and hot glue. Start by collecting dandelions that have finished blooming but haven't gone to seed yet. They'll be closed with a bit of white fluff sticking out at the top. Trim the stems so that they fit upright inside the jar. Cut a piece of wire long enough to span the length of the stem and wrap around your rock several times.

Wrap the wire around the rock three or four times and insert the wire into the dandelion stem. Hot glue the rock to the center of the lid and screw on the jar like a glass dome. The seed head should blossom in a day or two. Because it's protected from breezes that would normally scatter the seeds, it should last for a long time.

These look gorgeous as is, but you can make them more like traditional terrariums by adding in other elements. You can stick with a natural look by using items such as moss or pebbles. Since dandelions are available almost everywhere, this can also be a fun keepsake to make on a spring break trip. Go for a walk to collect shells, driftwood, and other mementos, then make a terrarium to take home as a souvenir. As a bonus, it'll be a lot cheaper than most gift store bric-a-brac. This should probably be a final-day activity, though, since too much jostling after the seed head blooms will dislodge the seeds.

For more versatility, use battery-operated tea lights to turn these into lanterns, or go further and make DIY terrarium lamps. Add some whimsy by including little plastic toys, such as dinosaurs, unicorns, or little cars. Plus, this could be a great activity to keep kids busy before dinner. Each child can create their own little world that reflects their personality.