Sunflower Mandala Coloring Page

This sunflower mandala coloring page shows one huge bloom from straight above, filling most of the sheet. The center is a seed head made of diamond cells that grow bigger as they move outward, so curved rows seem to swirl both ways. A beaded ring runs around it. Two rows of long petals open from that ring, each one split down the middle by a crease. Behind them are 18 broad leaves with side veins, plus 18 slim dark leaves. A small sunflower fills each corner, and bees fly at the top and bottom next to a few honeycomb cells.

It is a detailed page for ages 9 and up. Set aside about an hour, or more if you want to shade the petals.

Reading the seed head

The seed head is the fun puzzle of this sheet. Pick one cell near the middle and follow the row that leans to the left. Then go back and follow the row that leans to the right. There are two sets of curves crossing each other, and your color choices decide which one shows up. Color one leaning row dark and leave the next row pale, and a spiral will jump out.

The outer cells each hold a tiny diamond. Leave these pale. They look like seed tips and give the middle some sparkle.

Colors for a sunflower mandala coloring page

You already know the classic mix, and it never fails. Use yellow for the back petals, orange for the front ones, brown for the seeds and fresh green for the leaves. A pale blue page behind it looks like open sky.

Want something else? Try a red sunflower, with rust and maroon petals around a dark center. A sunset version is lovely too, with petals that fade from yellow at the base to deep orange at the tips.

Bees need only yellow and dark brown. Keep the wings white or a very pale gray, so they look light enough to lift off.

Petal tips

• Color each half of a petal on its own. One side a bit darker gives a folded look.
• Pull your strokes from the base toward the tip, in the same way the petal grows.
• Darken the base of the front petals where they meet the beaded ring.
• Keep the back row lighter, so the front row seems closer to you.
• Do the leaves last. Green smudges easily onto yellow.

Real sunflower facts

The NC State Extension plant guide lists the common sunflower as native to the western United States and parts of Mexico. It usually grows 2 to 10 feet tall, and each head measures about 3 to 6 inches across. Its dark center holds many tiny disc flowers, while the bright parts around the edge are rays. Butterflies, including monarchs, visit late in the season for nectar. Birds eat the seeds, which is why gardeners may leave dead heads standing through winter. See the NC State plant profile for more.

Late summer activity

This page makes a good science pairing. If you can get a real sunflower head, or even a clear photo, put it next to your sheet. Ask kids to compare the rows of seeds with the rows on the page. Then count the petals on one side of the drawing and work out the angle between them. With 18 petals in a row, each one sits 20 degrees from the next.

You can also hang the finished page in a sunny kitchen, or use a small copy as the front of a thank you card. A few copies cut into circles make cheerful place cards for a summer table.

Next pages to try

When this sunflower mandala coloring page is done, the simpler sunflower coloring page is a relaxing follow up. Fans of round blooms will also enjoy the flower mandala coloring page.

Questions