sunflowers

Sunflower Seed Sensory Bin Activities

November 21, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Three sunflower seed sensory bins. Dinosaurs, sunflowers, pumpkins, sand toys, and loose parts are highlights of the bins.

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A sunflower seed sensory bin is a fantastic way for early learners to explore these edible seeds, and use them in play. The seed base is a natural fit for fall and pumpkin-themed accessories. Here are three sensory bin suggestions brimming with these dramatic seeds.

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Sunflower And Sand Toy Bin

Sand toys, sunflowers, and fall-themed gems in a sunflower seed sensory bin.

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Add shovels. pails, sieves, watering cans, leaf gems, round fall-themed gems, and craft sunflowers in different sizes and colors to a sunflower seed base. This bin works well as a spring gardening center. Or extend summer into fall by offering the bin to your little learners in September.

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Pumpkin And Sunflower Seed Sensory Bin

Pumpkin-themed loose parts and sunflowers shine in this sunflower seed sensory bin. Spiders and mice add fun to the tray.

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Rubber mice and spider gems liven up this pumpkin and sunflower seed sensory bin. Other items in this sure to delight bin are:

craft sunflowers in different sizes and colors
pumpkin gems
pumpkin ice cubes
leaf gems
orange, black, and clear gems
black and orange cups
pumpkin-shaped dish
pumpkin cookie cutters
orange spoon

Fall-themed tinker tray with sunflowers, mice, spiders, gems, and pumpkin loose parts.

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Dinosaur And Sunflower Sensory Bin

Dinosaurs and sunflowers may seem like an unlikely combination. The inspiration for this bin came from viewing Lewis Lavoie’s stunning works of art entitled “Sunflower Beast”, and “Sunflower Bed.”

Easy to put together sunflower seed sensory bin with sunflowers and dinosaurs.

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The bin was introduced to my preschoolers a few years back. I made sure there was a stegosaurus or two in the mix. The children had a blast playing with dinosaurs, sunflowers, and loose parts in the seedy base. Your early learners would embrace this bin too.

Below, a volcanic mountain adds interest to the play.

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Note: For these sunflower seed sensory bin activities, I used striped sunflower seeds. I purchased two 7.5 lb bags at a local pet store, which filled a large sensory table. For a smaller bin, one 7.5 lb bag would be enough.

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Which bin is your favorite? Share below in a comment.

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Butterfly Sunflower Papercraft

November 15, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This butterfly sunflower papercraft is easy to make and is sure to be a parent pleaser. It’s an all-around showy harvest craft. I did it with my preschoolers this fall and sent it home around Canadian Thanksgiving Day. I’ve included a downloadable pattern for the craft in the post.

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Supplies To Collect

Paper supplies needed to make a butterfly-themed sunflower craft.

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8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper in various shades of yellow
9 x 12-inch green and yellow fade-resistant construction paper
12 x 18-inch fade-resistant construction paper in shades of blue
brown construction paper
brown tissue paper
butterfly paper punches
white glue
glue stick
scissors

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Making The Butterfly Sunflower Papercraft

Punch butterflies from different shades of yellow cardstock paper.

Cut large circles from yellow construction paper, and smaller ones from sturdy brown paper.

Cut stems and leaves from green construction paper.

Snip brown tissue paper into small squares.

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Here’s a downloaded sunflower pattern:

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Sunflower Pattern DownloadDownload

This printable is for individual and one classroom use only.

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Set up stations with a brown circle, tissue paper squares, and white glue. Have your early learners scrunch tissue paper squares, dip them in glue, and press them onto a brown circle.

Set up to scrunch tissue paper and dip it in glue to add it to a circle.

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Brown scrunched tissue glued on to a circle.

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After the tissue paper circles dry, ask your little ones to stick theirs on the center of a large yellow circle with a glue stick.

Set out a variety of shades and sizes of yellow paper butterflies for gluing all around the brown circle.

A sunflower head with a scrunched tissue center surrounded by paper butterflies.

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Guide each child in gluing a stem and two leaves onto a 12 x 18-inch piece of construction paper, and then adding the yellow and brown circular sunflower head.

Easy to make butterfly sunflower papercraft. The sunflower head has a scrunched tissue center surrounded by paper butterflies.

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Words such as Happy Thanksgiving or Gratitude could be added to the sunflower picture. I chose to leave the craft wordless and tell parents it was a Thanksgiving Day craft.

Thanksgiving Day inspired easy to make butterfly sunflower papercraft. The sunflower head has a scrunched tissue center surrounded by paper butterflies.

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The butterfly sunflower papercraft makes an attractive harvest or “Happy Thanksgiving” bulletin board display.

Happy Thanksgiving bulletin board display with butterfly-themed paper sunflowers.

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Related: Handprint Turkeys

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Activities With Sunflowers

August 26, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Art, nature and sensory activities with a variety of sunflowers and their parts.

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Sunflowers are a summer showstopper on a patio or balcony, or in a garden. They make stunning cut flowers. When mature, sunflower parts are ideal for art, nature, and sensory activities with young children.

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Growing Sunflowers

Sunflowers are easy to grow. And there are so many varieties to choose from! Featured below are golden yellow midsized ones (Golden Hedge), rust and yellow sunflowers (Evening Sun) and a fluffy double flower “teddybear” kind.

Sunflowers in different colors, shapes and sizes.

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Start seeds indoors near a sunlit window, or under a grow light. After the last frost, transplant the tiny plants to pots or add them to a garden plot. In areas with long growing seasons, plant the seeds in gardens or containers outdoors immediately.

Sunflowers need a sunny location to flourish. They require regular watering but can tolerate some drought. Plants in pots may need to be transplanted to larger ones when they grow bigger.

For more information about growing sunflowers, view this post from Gardener’s Path.

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Sunflower Activities For Young Children

Invite young children to help plant and grow sunflowers. The frequent changes in growth offer many opportunities for investigation. Include mature sunflower parts in art and sensory activities.

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Printmaking With Sunflowers

Set out red, blue, green and yellow tempera paint colors along with brushes, sunflower heads, and leaves. Have children paint the flowers and leaves and press them on a large piece of paper.

Supplies for making paint prints with sunflower parts.

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Let the paintings dry.

Paint prints with sunflowers. Tempera paint and primary colors used with leaves and heads of sunflowers. This is an all-ages activity.

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Also read: Butterfly Sunflower Papercraft

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Sunflowers And Playdough

Offer a circular party tray with playdough and sunflower parts for children to use. The one below includes

seeds
petals
leaves
stems
flower heads
seed packages

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Discovery Tub With Sunflowers And Bugs

Set out a shallow tub for children to explore that contains

sunflower parts
insects
magnifying glass
a pair of binoculars

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Sensory tray with sunflower heads and leaves, insects, binoculars and a magnifying glass.

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Growing sunflowers and exploring them through activities offers young children valuable nature experiences. And in late summer/early fall, a visit to a sunflower patch or maze makes a terrific field trip or family outing!

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