Toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school students will likely enjoy these paper-plate crafts. Not only are the materials inexpensive, but the project is simple to create. An adult should cut one 1-inch slits around the rim of the plate using scissors, going 1/3-inch into the plate. Round each slit with scissors to create sunflower "petals." Paint the plates with yellow watercolors or yellow acrylic paint and allow to dry. In the center circle of the plate, apply glue and attach brown craft pom-poms. To create the stem, paint a twig green, allow to dry and then attach it to the back of the plate with tape. Glue real or artificial leaves onto the area where the twig meets the plate to complete the sunflower.
After becoming familiar with the different parts of a sunflower (leaves, stem, petals and seeds), draw what you would imagine a world of sunflowers to be like. For example, you could draw a sunflower building, sunflower vehicles or sunflower people. While drawing your picture, keep in mind the various shapes of the plant so that your image may reflect the sunflower.
Cut pictures from a magazine, keeping in mind the colors and textures of the different parts of a sunflower, to create a sunflower collage. For example, cut out a lemon from a magazine page in the shape of sunflower petals and use them as the petals for the collage. After cutting out the pieces and separating them by color, arrange the pieces on a heavy-duty piece of cardboard. Arrange the collage in the shape of a sunflower shape. If you're feeling extra creative, don't make a sunflower shape at all but instead arrange the pieces any way you'd like to create an abstract collage. Glue the pieces in place and allow the glue to dry.
With plaster of Paris, mix according to the instructions and pour into an aluminum pie tin. Use a spoon to smooth the surface of the plaster. While the plaster is wet, stick a real or artificial sunflower head into the plaster to create an imprint. Remove the sunflower head and set it aside. Use acrylic paint to paint the imprint while the plaster is wet. Set the plaster aside to dry. After it has set for 24 hours, carefully remove the plaster from the tin and use as a decorative outdoor stone.