Here are two activities to celebrate summertime. Remember that the most valuable way for your toddler to learn about summertime is through experience. Take the time to watch clouds roll by, go for a walk in a meadow, or drink homemade lemonade under the shade of a big tree.

Sunflowers

This cheery craft will brighten up any summer day. Children seem drawn to these giants of the flower world.

• Draw a circle on the brown paper and the outline of eight yellow triangles on the yellow paper. Make the circle as big or small as you want the sunflower to be. Size the triangles so that side by side, they will go all the way around the circle. Cut a stem from the green paper.

• Either cut the shapes out yourself, or assist your child in doing so.

• Show your child how to glue the pieces together to create a flower. When the flower is dry, he can glue on the sunflower seeds in the middle.

Sun on a Stick

This project makes a cute decoration to place into a potted plant. It can also be used as a puppet or a hand-held fan.

• Cut a big circle from the center of one paper plate.

• Have your child paint or color the circle orange. Have him paint or color the intact plate yellow.

• Help your child glue the orange circle onto the yellow plate.

• Glue the craft stick onto the bottom to serve as a handle.

Everlasting Sand Castle

Bring the beach home with this unique craft activity.

• Mix all ingredients together and let cool.

• Your child can use the mixture to build a castle by hand, or he can use shallow plastic containers for molds. Coat the containers with Vaseline before using.

• Give the castle three days to dry.

Flowery Window Clings

Decorate any sunny window with this easy project.

• Cut 4-inch squares of clear contact paper.

• Help your child place flower blossoms and leaves on the sticky side of the paper. Leave enough of the contact paper uncovered that it will stick to the window.

• Carefully pick up the squares and press on the window.

• When you choose to take the flowers off the window, you can remove the excess adhesive with nail-polish remover.