Sunflower Preschool Activities with Free Lesson Planner

Sunflower preschool activities are a joyful way to celebrate the changing seasons while weaving in meaningful learning. Here at Homeschool Preschool, we love how a simple theme—like sunflowers—can spark curiosity across your entire day.

Sunflowers are perfect for blending science, creativity, and early literacy—whether you’re homeschooling, teaching, or planning a themed week.

Seasonal themes help preschoolers connect what they’re learning to the world around them. And sunflowers, with their towering stems and cheerful blooms, are perfect for late summer and early fall. From exploring their life cycle to making vibrant crafts and reading sunny picture books, there are so many ways to keep little hands and minds engaged.

Ready to bring a little sunshine into your learning space? Below you’ll find our favorite sunflower crafts, activities, printables, and book ideas—all in one place.

Sunflower Classroom Theme Ideas

When you’re planning your preschool year, it helps to have a few themes that naturally fit the season—and sunflowers are a perfect pick for late summer and early fall. They’re easy for kids to recognize, and they open the door to so many simple, engaging activities.

What I love about a sunflower theme is how flexible it is. You can use it to introduce science topics like plant parts or the life cycle, but it also works beautifully for art, early math, and literacy. It’s one of those themes that can fill a week or just pop up here and there in your routine without feeling forced.

If you’re someone who likes to build your days around what’s happening in the world outside, sunflowers give you a natural way to bring that seasonal rhythm into your learning space—whether at home or in the classroom.

Life Cycle of a Sunflower

One of the sweetest ways to bring science into your preschooler’s day is by exploring how sunflowers grow. From planting a tiny seed to watching that big yellow bloom open up, the sunflower life cycle is full of wonder—and it’s something little ones can really see and understand.

If you’re just getting started, the Life Cycle of a Sunflower post walks you through each stage with real photos and simple explanations. It’s a great way to introduce the concept without feeling like you need to prep a full science lesson.

For younger learners, the Preschool Life Cycle of a Sunflower breaks things down even further and includes easy activity ideas you can use right away—no fancy supplies needed.

Want something hands-on? The Sunflower Life Cycle Activity includes printable puzzles that help little ones match, sequence, and retell what they’ve learned.

Bonus idea: Plant a few seeds together or watch a short time-lapse video to really bring the learning to life!

Sunflower Crafts for Kids

Craft time is such a fun way to build fine motor skills and spark creativity, and sunflower crafts are always a hit with preschoolers! Whether you’re looking for something quick and simple or a project to fill a longer block of time, these ideas are easy to prep and full of cheerful, hands-on fun.

Start with the Crumpled Paper Sunflower Craft. It’s perfect for little hands and full of texture. Kids love crumpling the paper pieces, and you’ll love how it sneaks in fine motor practice while keeping things low-mess.

For classrooms or small groups, the Sunflower Paper Plate Craft is a great option. It uses everyday materials and makes a sweet display when everyone’s finished.

Looking for something a bit more detailed? The Sunflower Paper Craft is ideal for older preschoolers or a one-on-one afternoon project.

Tip: These crafts work beautifully as take-home gifts, storytime tie-ins, or seasonal decorations for your homeschool or classroom walls.

Picture Books About Sunflowers

Reading picture books about sunflowers is a wonderful way to build background knowledge, spark conversations, and introduce new vocabulary in a natural, engaging way. Whether you’re curling up on the couch or gathering everyone for circle time, a good read-aloud can bring the sunflower theme to life.

If you’re looking for storytime favorites, our Sunflower Books for Preschool roundup has sweet, age-appropriate picks that are perfect for preschoolers. These titles work well for quiet reading baskets, morning meetings, or transitions between activities.

Want to mix in a little nonfiction? Head over to our Books About Sunflowers list for a blend of fiction and fact-based titles that help little learners understand how sunflowers grow and change.

Helpful tip: Try pairing a book with a simple craft or life cycle activity to reinforce the themes through movement and play.

Sunflower Classroom Ideas

Bringing a sunflower theme into your preschool space is such a fun way to brighten up your daily routine—whether you’re setting up for a new school year or just adding a seasonal touch. With just a few simple changes, you can create a warm, inviting environment that ties into your learning goals.

Start with our Sunflower Classroom Theme Ideas for inspiration on bulletin boards, circle time areas, and learning centers. These ideas are easy to adapt for both homeschool and classroom settings.

Need ready-to-go resources? The Sunflower Printables pack is full of hands-on activities that work well in morning baskets, learning trays, or transition times.

And if you’d like to weave in some early math, don’t miss the Sunflower Life Cycle Counting Mats. They’re great for practicing number recognition, counting, and fine motor skills—all while reinforcing science concepts.

Bonus idea: Use sunflower-themed materials to guide your daily rhythm, from morning greetings to free play transitions!

Wrap Up Your Week ????

A sunflower theme is such a cheerful and flexible way to ease into your preschool year. Whether you’re focusing on science, art, fine motor skills, or storytime, these sunflower preschool activities give you everything you need to create a hands-on, meaningful week of learning.

Want help organizing it all?
I’ve put together a free Sunflower Lesson Planner just for you! Inside, you’ll find space to map out daily activities, gather book ideas, plan center work, and track your week with ease.

It’s a simple, helpful way to keep your theme week running smoothly—without the stress. Happy teaching! ????