Sleepy-Eyed Cactus Wearing a Petal Crown

A cartoon cactus stands front and center with a tall rounded body and a sleepy, half-closed pair of eyes under a heavy brow. A small cluster of leafy petals sits on top of its head, with three curly tendrils sticking up. One arm bends up toward its face and ends in an open tube shape, like a little cannon or horn, while the other arm curves out to the right. Short pointed spines are scattered across the arms and body, and thin vertical lines mark the trunk. Two slim stems at the bottom hold it up. The outlines are bold and the spaces are big, so it works well for younger kids. Try a sandy green for the body, bright pink or yellow for the top flower, and a darker shade for the spines so they really stand out. It also makes a fun starting point for talking about how desert plants store water.