🌿 From Sunflowers to Monarchs: A Day of Native Plant Exploration at the Library

March 24, 2026

There’s something really special about watching kids connect with the natural world—especially when it’s right in their own backyard.

Today at the Woolfolk Library, we had an incredible turnout, and it was one of those days that reminded us exactly why we do what we do.

🌿 What is a Native Plant?

We started with a simple question: What is a native plant?

In kid-friendly terms, a native plant is a plant that already belongs where we live. It grows here naturally, helps local animals, and doesn’t need extra help to survive.

It’s part of a bigger story—one where plants, animals, and people are all connected.

🌻 The Story of the Sunflower

From there, we explored one of our favorites: the sunflower.

Kids loved learning that sunflowers got their name because they look like bright, glowing suns—but the real magic is what they do.

When sunflowers are young, they actually follow the sun across the sky, soaking in as much light as possible. And in the morning, they face east—ready to greet the day.

We also talked about who depends on sunflowers.

Goldfinches love native narrowleaf sunflowers, and they rely on them for food. And they’re not alone.

Sunflowers help support:

Bees
Butterflies
Birds

♻️ Hands-On Learning: Paper Pots

Then it was time to create.

Each child made their own paper pot using recycled materials—a simple, meaningful way to give old paper new life.

The best part? When their plant grows, they can place the entire pot straight into the ground.

No waste. No root disruption. Just growth.

🌱 Planting Our Seeds

We walked step-by-step through the planting process:

Add soil
Plant the seeds
Gently cover
Mist with water

And along the way, we talked about the 5 things every plant needs to grow:

☀️ Sunlight

💧 Water

🌬 Air

🌱 Nutrients (from soil)

Space

Simple knowledge—but powerful when kids experience it firsthand.

🦋 Connecting It All: Why Native Plants Matter

What we explored today doesn’t stop with sunflowers.

Native plants are essential for pollinators—and that includes one of the most magical transformations in nature: the monarch butterfly.

Monarchs depend entirely on milkweed.

It’s the only plant where they lay their eggs.

It’s the only plant their caterpillars can eat.

Without milkweed, monarchs can’t survive.

And that’s where kids come in.

When children plant native species like milkweed, they’re not just gardening—they’re becoming caretakers of the earth.

🦋 Bring This Learning Home: Milkweed & Monarch Kits

If your child lit up during activities like this (or if you want to bring this kind of learning into your home), our Milkweed & Monarchs Camp in a Box was designed for exactly that.

👉 Explore the kit here:

https://wondersofthedelta.com

This kit blends storytelling, science, and hands-on exploration to help kids truly understand their role in the natural world.

🌿 What Kids Will Learn: