1Cut string.

Cut a length of string for your lei. Make a large knot on one end.

2Make the flowers.

Make 16 or more flowers out of paper, craft foam or felt. Listed below are different ways you can make the flowers.

1. Draw and cut your own - draw and cut your own flowers from paper, craft foam or felt.
2. Fold-and-cut paper flowers - make flowers with 5, 6 and 8 petals by folding and cutting flowers in a few easy steps.

3. Printable flowers - print out 2 copies of the first page of the flower lei template on A4 or Letter size paper or cardstock. Cut out the paper flowers.
4. Use a flower pattern - print out the flower lei template on A4 or Letter size paper. Cut out one flower and place it on a sheet of craft foam, felt or construction paper. Trace around the edges of the flower with a pencil to to make a flower outline on the foam or felt sheet. Repeat to make multiple flowers for your lei.

3Make the leaves.

Create the same number of leaves as the flowers. You can draw or cut your own, print out the second page of the flower lei template on green paper or cardstock, or use a leaf pattern as described in Step 2-d.

4Punch a hole at the center.

Punch a hole at the center of each flower and leaf.

5Cut drinking straws.

Cut drinking straws into 1-inch long pieces. You'll need approximately the same number as the flowers.

6String together.

String the pieces together in this order: straw, flower, then leaf.

As a counting activity, have kids count the flowers, straws and leaves before or while stringing them together.

7Tie a knot after the last piece.

When you've strung enough pieces, make a knot on the string after the last piece.