A Story of a Dried Sunflower

Updated: Feb 22, 2022

We went on a fruit-picking family trip on a sunny, end-of-the-summer, bright day.

My older son found a dried sunflowers field and picked some flowers with the young one

Our dried sunflowers still had some seeds attached!

That is a perfect opportunity to investigate together the story of the intriguing dried sunflowers we took home with us.

You can investigate together anything you find on a picnic or a short trip outside your home! (look for acorns, pinecones, seed pods, dried leaf, and ct.)

Start by describing the plant/seed pods, colors and texture. Ask your children what do they see. See how the seed pods are attached to the branch, or how the seeds are protected in the seed pods. You can look for a related artwork or a science project, and read a related book together. You don't have to do all the projects in one day, it can easily be your end-of-summer/Autumn/Spring activity, as you study the subject together for a week or more.

Back to our story, as art enthusiasts, first, we looked up information about the most famous Van Gogh painting, The Sunflowers.

We have a wonderful book about Vincent Van Gogh,

Portrait of an Artist: Vincent van Gogh: Discover the Artist Behind the Masterpieces

image from: Portrait of an Artist: Vincent van Gogh: Discover the Artist Behind the Masterpieces

by Lucy Brownridge (Author), Edith Carron (Illustrator)

It is beautifully written and illustrated. Look for it at your local library.

(for more information, here is a link to the publisher's site:

https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9781786036469/Portrait-of-an-Artist-Vincent-van-Gogh.html?direct=1 )

We saw a short video from the Van Gogh museum, and learn 5 fun facts about the Sunflowers we didn't know!

here is the link: https://youtu.be/DppVD1i78qU

screenshot - the Van Gogh museum youtube channel

We talked about the sunflower's colors and shape, and how it looks like a beautiful yellow sun - the reason it is called sunflower!

We learned together that sunflower plants tilt during the day to face the sun in order to gain more sunlight. This plant motion continues for a short time when the sunflower blooms - and that is another reason for its name!

And now: let's start working!

My younger son asked to make a paper sunflower.

When creating together try to use the art supplies you already have at home, here is what you should have.

How to make a simple and colorful paper sunflower:

1. Cut some leaf shapes from paper and paint them with lots of yellow and orange shades (green is great as well!).

My kids think that the best part is to mix colors.

2. Cut a circle (it doesn't have to be precise), and glue the leaves around the perimeter. When attaching the leaves try to make two layers or more, to make your flower look more colorful and happy.