There’s something magical about sunflowers in preschool learning. Their bright, yellow faces and tall stems capture little imaginations, while offering countless opportunities for hands-on, play-based learning. If you’re looking for simple, gentle ways to engage your child this week, here are five of our favorite sunflower activities for preschoolers — combining creativity, sensory exploration, early literacy, and seasonal fun.
Invitation to Play: Sunflower Table Setup
A great way to spark creativity is with an invitation to play. For our sunflower-themed week, we set up a table with:
- Yellow and green construction paper scraps
- Tree slices
- Wool felt pom-poms
- Pipe cleaners
My kids were invited to explore freely, combining materials however they wanted. This type of open-ended play builds fine motor skills, encourages imagination, and supports problem-solving.
Tip: Keep materials simple and natural. The focus is curiosity and exploration, not perfection.
Pick Your Own Sunflowers: Comparing Sunflower Sizes
Taking a nature-based field trip is a wonderful way to bring learning to life. We visited a local farm to pick our own sunflowers and compared the sizes: small vs. tall.
- Counted petals and stems
- Discussed colors and texture
- Practiced observational skills
Experiencing flowers firsthand connects seasonal learning activities with real-world observation, helping children understand nature while reinforcing early math and language concepts.
Sunflower Process Art
Process art focuses on the experience of creating rather than the final product. One day, we set up sunflower process art using:
- Seeds glued in the center for texture
- Yellow construction paper for petals
- Optional paint for color exploration
Through process art, children experiment with shapes, textures, and materials, developing creativity and self-expression. Unlike structured crafts, process art emphasizes the joy of learning and encourages problem-solving in a playful way.
Gentle Phonics: Letter “S” with Playdough & Sand
Early literacy can be tactile and playful. We spent time shaping the letter “S” with playdough and tracing it in sand.
- Strengthens fine motor skills
- Creates multi-sensory learning experiences
- Connects letters to real-world words (like sunflower)
This gentle phonics activity shows that learning letters doesn’t need worksheets — it can be a fun, hands-on experience.
Sunflower Sensory Bin
Sensory play supports fine motor skills, focus, and imaginative play. Our sunflower sensory bin included:
- Sunflower seeds as “soil”
- Green split peas as “grass”
- Mini sunflowers, wooden mushrooms, rocks
- Mini picket fence and tiny flower pot
- Wooden scoop for digging
My kids explored, poured, and arranged materials while practicing imaginative play. Sensory bins are a gentle, calming way to engage preschoolers in learning through touch, sight, and exploration.
Why Gentle, Play-Based Learning Matters
These five sunflower activities for preschoolers are simple, seasonal, and adaptable for any home or classroom. Gentle, play-based learning helps children:
- Build confidence and independence
- Strengthen fine motor and cognitive skills
- Connect with nature and seasonal rhythms
- Explore creativity without pressure
Even if you try just one activity, your child will experience the joy of learning through play.
Tip for Busy Parents: You don’t need elaborate setups — a few natural materials, a story, or a quick outdoor adventure is enough to create meaningful learning moments.
If you love these kinds of seasonal, hands-on learning ideas but want everything ready-to-go, our Acorn to Sprout curriculum boxes are designed for busy families — full of gentle, nature-rich activities that inspire curiosity and creativity every week.
