Flowering Plant Life Cycle Plate Spinner

This paper plate spinner is an easy and fun way to demonstrate the life cycle of a flowering plant.

Paper plates work really well for creating spinners, but I’ve also created a handy template you can print to make it even easier.

For older children, you can extend the activity by adding in extra stages, such as pollination and photosynthesis.

Life cycle of a plant plate spinner

What you’ll need:

Felt tip pens
2 paper plates or my template
Scissors
Split pin

Image showing the life cycle of a sunflower

How to make a plant life cycle paper plate spinner

First, you need to divide each paper plate into four sections.

On one plate, draw part of a plant life cycle in each section in the correct order.

Next, cut out one section of the second plate.

Place the second plate on top of the first and attach a split pin in the centre. Try turning the top plate to reveal each stage of the plant life cycle.

Or print one of my templates onto paper or cardstock and use that instead!

Sunflower Life Cycle Spinner Template

Life cycle of a plant paper spinner template

Dandelion Life Cycle Template

Template for a dandelion life cycle paper spinner

Flowering Plant Facts

Petal

The petal is often brightly coloured and scented to attract insects.

Leaf

Leaves use energy from sunlight to make food for the plant.

Root

The root carries water and nutrients from the soil to the plant and keeps it safely anchored in the ground.

What is inside a flower?

Did you know flowers have both male and female parts? You can see these by dissecting a flower like a lily.

Pollen is held on the male part of a flower and looks like a yellow or orange powder. When an insect lands on a flower, pollen sticks to its body. If the insect then lands on another flower, the pollen is transferred to the female part of the second flower. This is called pollination.

More plant life cycle ideas

Add some text to each part of the life cycle, giving more information.

Try creating a life cycle for another type of plant, for example, a bean plant or dandelion. You could include a drawing of the specific flowers and seeds seen on each plant.

Make a plate spinner for an animal life cycle.

Grow a bean in a jar. This is a great way to learn about germination.

Discover all the things plants need to grow.