Have you ever grown sunflower plants? Sunflowers can be a good option for children because they are relatively easy to grow, and don’t take years to reach full size. Children will be able to observe the full life cycle from seed to adult plant over several months.
If you want to introduce or review the life cycle stages of a sunflower but are looking for something a bit different from a standard worksheet, try this free flower petal foldout activity. Here’s how to make it.
What are the benefits of this activity?
🌻Can be used as an introduction or a review/assessment of the sunflower life cycle
🌻Fun and hands-on alternative to a science worksheet
🌻Vertistile – use in interactive science notebooks, for a science center, for a science display/bulletin board
🌻Children practice following directions
🌻Helps develop fine motor skills through cutting, assembling, and folding.
🌻 Links to learning about flowering plants, seasons, plant life cycles, gardening, and more!
What you need to make the sunflower life cycle foldout
🌻Template and flower shape for the backing – get it direct to your inbox here.
🌻Colored pencils (especially yellow, green, brown, and black)
🌻Scissors
🌻Glue
Print the sunflower template and life cycle stages
Start by printing the template on white cardstock and the 6 sunflower life cycle stages on white paper.
Color the sunflower life cycle stages
Use colored pencils to color the life cycle stages (seeds, seedling, young plant, bud, flower, seeds fall) and the edges of the petals on the template. The other parts of the petals do not need to be colored as these will be covered by the life cycle stages.
Cut out the life cycle stages and template
Next, cut around the dashed lines with the life cycle stage inside. Cut around the outside of the template.
Sequence and glue the life cycle stages onto the template
Each petal on the template is numbered. Sequence the life cycle stages on the petals to show the order of the sunflower life cycle. Once all the stages are in place, they can be glued down. Then, cut around the outside of the flower shape.
Fold the petals
Fold the petals, one at a time, toward the center of the flower. Then adjust then to create a 3d flower.
Glue onto the backing (optional)
Print out a flower outline onto yellow cardstock, cut it out, then attach the sunflower life cycle with glue.
Get the free life cycle of a sunflower template
This template is free for my email list subscribers. Sign up, and you’ll be sent a link to access it, with options for US letter size or A4 paper. Your email address is not shared, and you can unsubscribe from emails at any time.
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