After making a floating flower project in Palm Springs years ago, I couldn’t wait to try it again. This time I wanted a design that would be a memorable addition to summer events—pool parties, weddings, birthdays, and more. The result is this floating flower DIY, which has been a favorite for my summer gatherings.
I collaborated with Fiskars for this build, and the final piece turned out fantastic. Below are step-by-step instructions and photos to help you create your own floating floral message.
As with my earlier floating flower project, I began with large foam boards. This version involved more measuring and hand-lettering, but the process is straightforward and easily adaptable to any word or short phrase.
Using the right tools saved a lot of time—sharp blades for cutting foam, comfortable pruners for trimming stems, and a reliable cutting mat make the work smoother and faster. Fiskars’ Easy Change Detail Knife is great for precise cuts, and their PowerGear2 Pruner makes stem trimming effortless.
For the flowers I used fresh blooms from Flower Muse, which donated the flowers for this project. Fresh flowers create the most dramatic effect, though high-quality artificial blooms can work if you want something that never wilts. If possible, I recommend real flowers for the best visual impact.
Materials for Floating Flower DIY
- Foam board (30×40; I used 1/2 inch thickness)
- Sharp craft knife for cutting foam
- Pruning shears for trimming stems
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Cutting mat (recommended size 24×36)
- Acrylic ruler (a 6×24 ruler works well)
- Marker and pencil
- Lots of flowers (see list below)
I used an assortment of flowers from Flower Muse: ranunculus, coral peonies, pink salmon peonies, pink peach garden roses (Free Spirit), dusty pink garden roses (Romantic Antike), pink garden roses (Mariatheresia), Caraluna garden roses, red garden spray roses (Piano), and pink peach dahlias. Smaller buds are useful for filling in gaps.
How to Make a Floating Flower Message
1. Choose a short word or phrase. Short words or breaking a phrase into separate foam board pieces works best for stability and floating performance. Examples to consider: “vacay all day,” “make a splash,” a name for a birthday, an event hashtag, or a wedding monogram.
Measure your foam board and plan the lettering before cutting. For a 30×40 board and a 5-letter word, split the width into equal sections and map the height of each letter. Use an acrylic ruler to create straight guidelines—this planning makes the next steps much easier.
2. Draw your letters on the foam board. Start with pencil and refine with marker once you’re satisfied with the shape. Make sure the letter strokes are wide enough (I found about an inch minimum worked well) so there’s enough surface area to attach flowers and keep the letters structurally supported.
3. Cut out the letters using a sharp craft knife and a cutting mat. Use long, steady strokes to keep edges smooth and professional looking. Trim large sections of the foam board to access tighter curves and interior cuts. A cutting mat protects your work surface and helps you slice cleanly through the foam.
4. Attach the flowers. Cut stems close to the base with pruning shears to create a short, flat surface. Use hot glue to secure each bloom to the foam board, pressing the base of the flower onto the glue. Work with a variety of bloom sizes and use small buds to fill gaps until the foam is completely covered.
Good pruners make this step much easier—comfortable, powerful handles reduce hand fatigue when trimming many stems.
After covering the foam with flowers, the piece is ready for the pool. Place it gently on the water and it should float.
Important notes: The finished piece will be quite heavy, but foam board floats—do not use floral foam, which will sink. Thicker foam board improves buoyancy; the 1/2-inch board I used floated well and lasted. Keep each word relatively short (around seven letters max) and avoid excessive splashing or people stepping on the piece to maintain floating stability. Under calm conditions, these pieces can float for 4–6 hours or longer, making them ideal for events.
When the event ends, you can remove flowers from the foam board—hot glue peels off fairly easily. Placing the flowers in shallow bowls of water will keep them fresh for several more days so you can continue to enjoy them.
Photography: Amelia Lawrence
Would you try this floating flower DIY? What word or phrase would you create for your event?
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This post was created in partnership with Fiskars. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep creative projects like this possible.