Sunflowers are a lot like preschoolers. They grow dramatically, are bright and sunny, and make everyone smile! Maybe that’s why students love this preschool sunflowers mixed-media art project. The hands-on experience of viewing and handling sunflowers helps students strongly connect with what the artist Van Gogh saw. Any time children draw a deep connection to something, they are more likely to retain it and learn from it.
Step 1: Exploring Real Sunflowers
Start by introducing students to real sunflower blooms. Show the students the different parts of the flower (petals, seeds, leaves, and stem) and pass around a blossom for them to touch and smell. Discuss the different colors and textures as the flower is passed from child to child. Ask leading questions like “What does the flower petal feel like? How about the seeds? Does the middle of the flower make a different noise when tapped gently with a finger?” These questions will spark a discussion among the students and get them thinking before the art even begins!
Step 2: Looking at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers
After exploring the live bloom, show the students a print of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. If the class has already done a Van Gogh study, talk about how it is different from Starry Night. What colors did the artist use in this painting? Point out Van Gogh’s bold brushstrokes and expressive use of color. Ask the students some more guiding questions, such as, “What do you notice in the painting?” and “How do the sunflowers in the painting look different from the real ones?”
Step 3: Creating the Preschool Sunflowers Mixed-Media Art
For this Preschool Sunflowers art project, collect the following items:
- Brown cardstock
- White mini canvases
- Mr. Sketch markers (or other markers)
- Crayons
- A little bit of glue
- A vase
- Some sunflower blooms
Start by creating some small vases from brown cardstock. Cut them out and attach them to mini canvases. Make sure to cut out a spare vase for each child (more on why later)!
Next, have the students sit at the art table. They glue down a vase and draw the sunflowers as they see them in the vase. It is a good idea for them to practice drawing flowers on a piece of scrap paper first to get the look they want. Remember that this is process art, and students should freely express themselves. No two projects will be exactly alike—that adds to the charm! Remind the children to also draw the table.
Finally, use crayons to shade in the background to add depth. Add the second copy of the vase over the original one to clean up any stray lines.
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Step 4: Storytime Connection for Preschool Sunflowers
To wrap up the activity, read a book such as Camille and the Sunflowers by Laurence Anholt or other books about Van Gogh or sunflowers. Discuss the story and encourage conversation about how it connects to Van Gogh’s art and their own preschool sunflowers they just made!
Wrap-Up and Display
It is important to show students artwork the respect it deserves. By displaying the artwork in the classroom, the children feel that their art is valued and important. It also serves as a wonderful talking point for parents and guardians about what their child is learning in the classroom. These preschool sunflowers would be an amazing addition to a preschool art show. And finally, the teacher gets to enjoy fresh, sunny artwork in the classroom as well!
Extension Ideas
- Revisit this art with yellow, green, and brown paints at the easel. Don’t forget to put the vase nearby for inspiration.
- Create a sunflower sensory bin with seeds and petals. (Similar to the Water Lilies Sensory Table)
- Integrate more famous artists into your curriculum.
