Helping Grow a Generation of Gardeners!
The Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project helpd tamariki grow a love of gardening, one sunflower at a time!
This much-loved project encourages kindergartens and learning centres across Aotearoa to get hands-on in the garden, as children care for their very own sunflower, from tiny seed to towering bloom. Along the way, they learn what plants need to grow and thrive: sunshine, soil, water, fresh air, and a little love.
The project runs every second year, and in 2025, 11,504 children from 238 kindergartens and learning centres took part across 11 regional Kindergarten Associations.
How it Works
Each kindergarten particpated in a friendly challenge to grow the tallest sunflower and the widest sunflower head within their own association’s area, with prizes up for grabs. There is also a National Best Photo Award, for a standout moment captured during the project and a National Prize Draw.
Learning Through Gardening
The project is a fun, hands-on way for tamariki to explore how plants grow from seed to flower, while building skills they can share at home. They discover plant lifecycles, practise measuring and recording growth, and experience the joy of nurturing something living.
Teachers receive regular newsletters filled with gardening tips, resources, and activities that can easily align with Te Whāriki, Aotearoa New Zealand’s Early Childhood Curriculum.
The tallest sunflower ever grown in the project reached an incredible 3.41 metres. That’s taller than a basketball hoop, or about as high as a baby giraffe’s nose.
Participating Kindergarten Associations
The project only runs for kindergarten in these associations.
The Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project is open to selected Kindergarten Associations across New Zealand: Auckland Kindergarten Association, Central Kids Kindergartens (Central North Island), Dunedin Kindergartens, Inspired Kindergartens (Tauranga), Kidsfirst Kindergartens (Christchurch), Kindergarten Taranaki, Marlborough Kindergarten Association, Nelson Tasman Kindergartens, Northland Kindergarten Association, Waikato Kindergarten Association, and Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens (Wellington region).
Starter Packs
Example Starter Pack:
- Biodegradable pots
- Daltons Premium Seed Mix
- Daltons Premium Potting Mix
- Kings Seeds Skyscraper Sunflowers
- Daltons measuring tape
- Promotional poster
- Project brochure
- Parental permission slips
- Best Gardener Certificate
- Best Gardener Prize pack
Prizes
Regional Prizes
There are eleven regions taking part and each region has the following prize categories:
The Tallest Sunflower Award per region
- $100 Daltons Gardening Product Prize Pack
- $100 Warehouse voucher
- GARDENA Comfort Hand Trowel
The Sunflower with the Widest Head per region
- $100 Daltons Gardening Product Prize Pack
- $100 Warehouse voucher
- GARDENA Comfort Hand Trowel
Participation Certificates
These are available in the Sunflowers Learning Centre to download at the end of the project so every child receives their own special certificate.
Daltons Best Little Gardener for each Kindy
Whether it’s the child who exhibits an unwavering love for gardening, diligently tending to plants, nurturing their sunflowers with care, or lending a hand to fellow growers, the choice is yours. The starter pack comes complete with a prize and certificate, celebrating their passion and dedication.
National Prizes
National Prize Draw
Each registered kindergarten goes into the draw to win a $50 Daltons Gardening Product Prize Pack, $100 Warehouse voucher, and a GARDENA Comfort Hand Trowel.
National Homegrown Tallest Sunflower Award
This is open nationally to participating kindergarten children who may also choose to grow sunflowers at home with their families. The winner receives a $50 Daltons Gardening Product Prize Pack, $100 Warehouse voucher, and a GARDENA Comfort Hand Trowel.
National Best Photo Award
Send us your photos throughout the project and you could win the Best Photo Award which includes a framed copy of the winning photo, a $50 Daltons Gardening Product Prize Pack, a $100 Warehouse voucher and a GARDENA Comfort Hand Trowel.
About the Project
Growing gardeners for life
Since it began in 2013, the Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project has helped thousands of children across Aotearoa discover the joy of gardening. It’s all about encouraging a love of nature from a young age and growing practical, hands-on skills that last a lifetime. Many tamariki take what they’ve learned and inspire their whānau to start gardening at home too – whether it’s planting lettuces, strawberries, or creating a flowerbed for bees.
Learning through growing
The project gives children the chance to care for their very own sunflower – from sowing seeds and nurturing seedlings, to measuring towering blooms. Along the way, they learn what plants need to thrive, how to care for them each day, and how to track their sunflower’s growth. It’s a fun and memorable way to explore the plant lifecycle and the magic of watching something grow.
Support for teachers
Teachers are supported throughout the project with regular newsletters full of sunflower tips, growing info, and ideas. There are also printable learning sheets, how-to videos, and fun activities that can be integrated into the curriculum and shared with kindy kids.
Resources at your fingertips
Kindergartens get access to the Daltons Sunflower Learning Centre, packed with helpful growing guides, classroom resources, and engaging content for tamariki.
Gardening at home
The Homegrown Sunflower Award encourages tamariki to keep growing at home with help from their whānau. It’s a great way to build on the skills they’ve learned at kindy and share the fun of gardening with their family.
Thank you to our Sponsors
A huge thank you to our sponsors, Kings Seeds, The Warehouse and GARDENA who help make this project possible.
Kings Seeds have been a partner of the project since its inception and supply Sunflower Skyscraper Seeds - without them we have no project!
The Warehouse has been a valued project partner since 2015 and generously donate vouchers for our winner’s prize packs.
GARDENA kindly donate one of their Comfort Hand Trowel into our winner’s prize packs.
*The Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project is only running in selected regions of New Zealand in participating kindergarten associations. For more information, please review the project terms and conditions here.