DIY Thistle: Scotland's National Flower!

Young Adventurers, lets journey to explore Scotland's national flower—the thistle! This magnificent plant holds a special place in Scottish hearts. Long ago, a group of Vikings sneaked into Scotland to conquer the land. As they crept forward, they took off their shoes to move silently through the night. But, little did they know, they were about to step on a thistle plant! Ouch! The Vikings cried out in pain, and their noisy yelps woke up the Scottish warriors who defended their land. The thistle saved the day, and since then, it became a symbol of Scotland's bravery.
 
The thistle is no ordinary plant—it's a prickly beauty! With its purple or pinkish petals and sharp, pointy spikes, the thistle stands tall and proud. It loves to grow in the wild countryside and can reach impressive heights. But don't be fooled by its spiky exterior! The thistle is a true survivor, just like the people of Scotland. It can weather harsh winds, rocky soil, and even the chilliest winters.
 
Symbol of Scotland: The thistle holds a dear place in Scottish culture and history. It represents the qualities of bravery, strength, and resilience that the Scottish people admire. You'll often find the thistle on Scottish emblems, coins, and even on the uniforms of Scottish soldiers. The people of Scotland are proud to call this unique flower their national symbol.

Fun Facts about Thistles:

• The thistle is a member of the daisy family and has over 200 species.
• Some thistle species are edible and can be used in cooking or made into teas.
• The thistle has medicinal properties and has been used for centuries to treat various ailments.
• Scotland's oldest order of chivalry is called the Order of the Thistle, which honors the Scottish monarch's knights

Materials Needed:

Crepe Paper

Color Paper

Tape

Marker

Pencil

Stick

Scissors

Tissue Paper

Stick Glue

Lets make our own Thistle!

Step 1

Grab your stick and begin wrapping green paper around it to make your stem.

Step 2

Take up your tissue paper or paper towel and form a ball around the stick. Glue together and wrap the green paper around it to form the bottom of the flower.

Step 3

 Fold several pieces of purple tissue paper down and begin cutting strips.

Step 4 

 Once cut, wrap around the flower base to show off the spiky flower petals.

Step 5 

 Repeat Step 4 with green tissue paper to wrap around the bottom of the flower. Cut off the excess.

Step 6

Give your thistle a personality! Add eyes and a smiling face to add to it. This step is not required, but adds a little more fun into making it.