Dandelion crowns and sunny days

Are yellow dandelions poking their heads up in green “carpets” of grassy yards, parks, and fields where you live? Seeing spring-green fields speckled with sunshine yellow dots takes me back to my childhood—picking dandelions, braiding dandelion garlands, crafting makeshift dandelion bracelets, and even making dandelion crowns. Warm sunny days were dandelion days.

Maybe Ella Wheeler Wilcox was thinking of the dandelion when she wrote her famous quote, “A weed is but an unloved flower.” The darling dandelion certainly fits the part! (And, if you love dog quotes, please check out my article: 10 Quotes for Dog Lovers that Remind Us It’s a Wonder-Fur World.“)

How to make a dandelion crown for you…or for your dog!

If you’d like to get outside and enjoy spring, making a dandelion crown is an easy DIY craft that only takes minutes to do. Plus, it’s something that you can do with your dog by your side! (Spoiler alert: If you’ve ever braided hair, you’ve got this!) Just follow our step-by-step instructions and easy video that Happy-Go-Doodle Chloe and I put together for you.

WHAT YOU’ll NEED TO MAKE A DANDELION CROWN 

Before you head outside, grab a few essentials that will make you comfy. Happy-Go-Doodle Chloe and I took a large blanket, cell phone (for pics), my baseball cap, water bottle, and a few treats. Here’s a checklist:

• Large blanket
• Baseball cap, sunglasses, etc.
• Water bottle
• Phone or camera for pics
•  Bunches of yellow dandelions

Happy Go-Doodle Chloe sat beside me on a blanket while I made the dandelion crown. Oh, and she barked at robins, got the springtime Doodle dog zoomies, and played with her ball, too!

STEP 1: Pick yellow dandelions with long stems.

Dandelions with long stems will work best. I picked dandelions with stems that were at least three inches long.

STEP 2: Start with 6 dandelions gathered in a bunch.

Tip: Dandelions can be a little messy. Choose a blanket or work surface that you don’t mind getting dirty.

STEP 3: Divide the 6 dandelions into three groups of two. 

Begin the dandelion garland by dividing the six dandelions into three groups of two. Hold the heads of the dandelions in one hand and braid by bringing the outside two dandelion stems to the center. Then the other outside two stems to the center. If you’ve ever braided hair, this is the same process. (Watch the video below for visual instructions on braiding.)

Braiding dandelions is a lot like braiding hair. If you’ve braided hair, then you’ve got this!

STEP 4: Each time you bring the outside stems to the center, add in two more dandelions to the braid.  

The image below shows the two additional dandelion stems added to the center stems. Please watch the short video below for a visual demonstration of this step. (Special appearances by scurrying ants and singing birds!)

Watch this DIY dandelion crown video demonstration: 

STEP 5: Continue braiding and adding in two more dandelion stems to create the dandelion garland. 

The back of the braided dandelion garland will look like the image below. The underneath side of the dandelion garland is as pretty as the front…

(Look closely. The loose ends of the dandelions will stick out of the garland. That’s how it should look.)

STEP 6: Continue braiding until you have a long dandelion garland. 

The image below shows how I arranged the dandelions in pairs so that I could easily grab two at a time to add to the garland.

STEP 7: Finish the dandelion crown by bringing both ends together to make the “crown.” 

I finished the dandelion crown by looping the stems at the end of the braid around the dandelion blooms at the beginning of the braid. Tip: If needed, you can use an extra dandelion to tie the two ends of the braid together.

STEP 8: TA-DA!

STEP 9: Have fun taking pics! 

Happy-Go-Doodle Chloe was my dandelion crown model and posed for some silly pics! She has learned the stay command, so modeling the dandelion crown was good practice. Of course, the crown fell off, but that’s the fun! (You can find more “a-dood-able” photos in Chloe’s gallery titled “You Crack Me Up, Dood.”)

Step 10: Keep the “outtakes” or “bloopers” too. They’re as fun as the posed pics and Instagram-worthy!

Here are a few photo outtakes of Chloe’s crowning moments…

“Hey, look at me! I’m turning that “crown” upside down!”

“Dandelion hair. Don’t care.”

“Hey, Mom! This crown makes a great ball holder.”

Chloe dropped her favorite tennis ball on top of the dandelion crown, so we put the “crowning touch” on our day with a fun-filled game of fetch!

Thanks for stopping by for some DIY fun!

NOTE: Chloe had no interest in eating dandelions. Before you begin, if you think your dog may eat dandelions, this may not be the activity for you. While dandelions are non-toxic for dogs, the ASPCA says, “be advised that the consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs.”

Also, dandelions can sometimes be treated with chemicals. Pick them from a location that you’re sure has not been treated.

If this story brought a smile, a laugh, or a woof, please check out…

SMILE! IT’S TONGUE OUT TUESDAY!

This post was originally published on April 25, 2017 and updated on March 31, 2021.

Have you made a dandelion crown for your dog? For you?

We’d love to hear. Please comment below.