Suncatcher Craft Project for Toddlers
A quick poll
Have you saved every craft your child has ever made?
If you are anything like me, you love the craft projects made for you by your kids or grandkids. I have big boxes in my basement that are filled to the brim with projects done over the years.
Well here is another craft project that you can add to your collection. It's a super easy suncatcher that is perfect for toddlers or, for that matter, kids of any age.
What I really like about this suncatcher project is that it can be proudly displayed in any window or on any wall. Your kids will love seeing their artwork prominently displayed and, when the sun shines through, your room will immediately brighten up.
This project can be done a couple of different ways:
- Without a border
- With a border
I have provided step by step instructions for both. Have fun!
Instructions for a suncatcher without a border
The following instructions are for a quick and easy suncatcher without a border. You'll find a list of the supplies you need, along with step by step photos and instructions.
Supplies for your suncatcher
Need contact paper?
- Clear contact paper
- Tissue paper in various colors
- Scissors
- Yarn
- Hole punch
- Construction paper - needed only for the suncatchers with borders
Tips: Use really bold colored tissue paper. Pastels tend to look pale and washed out when the sun shines through them. Left in a window with bright sunshine, the colors in these suncatchers will fade, so hang in a window that does not get direct sunlight.
Assembling your suncatcher
Cut out two sheets of contact paper, roughly the same size. Don't worry about the wrinkles. They get smoothed out and disappear.
Preparing the contact paper
Peel off the back of one sheet of the contact paper. Lay the non-sticky side down, leaving the sticky side facing up.
Start applying the tissue paper
Tissue paper tip
I like to let kids tear their own pieces of paper. They have more fun and it helps them develop fine motor skills.
Have your toddler tear off small pieces of tissue paper and stick them on the contact paper.
If you prefer, cut out small shapes that are ready to use.
Cover with contact paper
Remove the backing off of the remaining sheet of contact paper and carefully place the sticky side on top of the tissue paper, facing the tissue paper.
Use care when doing this step. I usually start at one end, and slowly smooth the paper down from one end to the other, pushing out air bubbles along the way.
Decide on a shape
Have your child decide on a shape. If they are able, have them sketch the shape out. If not, sketch it for them.
Cut out your shape
The finished product!
If your toddler is working on his or her cutting skills then let them try cutting it out with toddler scissors. If they are not ready then cut it out for them.
Make sure to cut inside the marked line so that the markings don't show on the suncatcher.
Using the hole punch, put a hole in the top and thread a piece of yarn through it. Tie the ends of the yarn together and presto, you have a lovely suncatcher.
Instructions for a suncatcher with a border
Need tissue paper?
Adding a border adds a little stability and color to this suncatcher. It is simple to do and you need the same supplies you did in the borderless project.
The only other supply you'll need is some construction paper.
Just a few additional steps need to be completed to add a border to the suncatcher. The first two steps remain the same. Once the prepared contact paper is laying, non-sticky side down on the table, you are ready for the next steps.
Preparing the border
Fold a sheet of construction paper in half and cut out your shape, in this case a heart.
Then cut out the the center of the shape, leaving about a half an inch border. Use care not to cut through the border.
Unfold the shape.
Prepare for the tissue paper
Unfold the cut out shape and carefully adhere the shape to the contact paper, smoothing out the edges.
Finish up the suncatcher
Have your toddler tear off pieces of tissue paper and stick them on the contact paper. Don't worry if they overlap onto the cut out border, like in the picture. Just hang that side against the window and you won't be able to see it.
Once done, remove the backing off of the second sheet of contact paper and carefully place it on top of the tissue paper, sticky side facing the tissue paper.
Smooth down, removing any air bubbles that may appear.
Carefully cut out the shape, around the outside of the border.
You now have a lovely craft done by your favorite toddler! Hang it in the window for everyone to see.
Stained Glass
Stained glass is a form of a suncatcher.
The earliest known example of colored glass in windows was unearthed in a monastery in England and dates back to 686 AD.
Since then the use of colored glass has grown steadily and is now seen in decorative windows throughout the world.
A fun craft for toddlers
These tissue paper suncatchers are the ideal craft for toddlers and can be done by older children as well.
I have done this craft at home with my daughter, and with sunday school classes ranging in ages 3 to 13. Everyone enjoyed it and took home a special memento for their families.
Try it the next time the rain doesn't seem to want to stop, or during those long hot days of summer when no one wants to be outside.
Tissue paper suncatchers
Questions & Answers
© 2013 Claudia Mitchell
Comments
AUTHORHi Jackie - This is definitely a fun one. I think it would be beautiful in holiday colors and shapes for the Christmas. A fun cold day project. Thanks so much for commenting.
This looks like so much fun that I am adding the material to my shopping list. So easy too, thank you! ^+
- AUTHOR
Pstraubie, sallybea, purl3agony, Suzie HQ, tillsontitan, thumbi7, rudra007, cheeluarv, leahlefler, IslandBites, Billybuc, kthix10, annasantos, RTalloni, AliciaC, vespawoolf, Benjamin Chege, StephanieBCrosby, PhyllisDoyle, CarlySullens, and suzettenaples,
First off, my apologies for taking so long to respond to everyone who was so kind to comment on this hub. I was on vacation without computer access and came home yesterday to this lovely surprise. So thank you to everyone for commenting and reading. I really appreciate it. I hope you all give this project a try. It's so much fun for all ages!
What a cute and simple idea for toddlers. Easy to follow directions in this hub. Enjoyed reading this!
Congratulations on HOTD. I loved your visuals and step by step directions. Amazing hub, well deserved.
Congratulations on your HOTD -- it is well-deserved.
This is a delightful and lovely craft idea for kids. I am going to share the link with my nieces who all have little ones. Thank you for this wonderful hub.
First of all, congratulations on your Hub of the Day.
This craft looks so fun and awesome. There are so many ways to make this even more of a unique and tailored project. Great tips. I love the use of materials that are easy to get that can make a major impact.
Thanks for sharing the great idea!
This hub surely deserves to be the hub of the day. Your hub is well organized and I love the topic a lot. Thumbs up.
What a fun and creative project...congrats on Hub of the Day, Glimmer! You have many interesting and useful Hubs. : )
This sounds like a wonderful project for children, Glimmer! The results are beautiful. Congratulations on the Hub of the Day!
Cute, cute, cute craft for little ones! Congratulations on your Hub of the Day award for encouraging art activities with kids! :)
Hi Glimmer,
What an awesome craft to do with kids! Congratulations on your HOTD. Very artistic. My little ones will for sure love this one. Thanks for sharing. Again, congrats. Well done!
I love the border idea - I have done this before but I think my 6 year old would love if he knew what the shape was going to be when he started, great hub, congrats on HOTD
I just stopped by to say congratulations on the Hub of the Day. I love it when one of my favorite Hubbers wins acclaim.
Great idea! So simple and pretty. Love it!
I love this craft! The sun catcher with the black border is really striking. I need to try this with my kids - they are older than the preschool age group, but would still like this project!
very simple,but very creative,thanks for sharing.
Very nice craft, i also do lot of craft work. Thanks for posting.
Congrats on Hub of the day.
I love the fun activity. Toddlers will surely enjoy this.
This project goes beyond toddlers, it would be great in a classroom and even in a senior center! Your instructions are perfect and your pictures, well picture perfect. It is easy to see why this is a HOTD! Congrats on that btw.
Voted up, useful, awesome, and interesting....I think a fun button would apply here too!
Hi GTF,
AWESOME, love this idea for a craft with kids, so simple and they will get so much fun!!! You are a wealth of creativity, and this is another gem, so worthy of HOTD1
Congrats on another successful idea, they just keep flowing from you!! Voted up ++++, shared and pinned if pinterest back, if not will do later!
Adorable! Congrats on your HOTD!! Well deserved :)
Congrats on the HOTD - I thought this idea was charming when first saw it earlier in the year. Well done on your award.
Congrats on HOTD....I had commented on this a while back....but I wanted to send you some kudos!!!
Angels are on the way ps shared and pinned
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much rajan. I appreciate your support and apologize for taking so long to reply. Been a busy few days for me.
Wonderful and easy craft lesson and a fun project to make by toddlers.
Voted up, useful and interesting.
- AUTHOR
Those sound like terrific shapes Healthyannie. I just did this last week with a group I lead and we made stars which turned out beautifully. Diamonds too. I'm so glad you stopped by to read and comment. Thanks.
This is nice - I love it. I think I will make some and hang them on my balcony but I am going for the Ankh shape and some pyramids.
- AUTHOR
Thanks ES! Hope you are having a great summer so far. I bet your nieces (nephews) would love this and it would be easy for them no matter what age they are.
Another really cute idea. I've sent this one to my sister, since her kids would love this sort of thing.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much for the support Robie. I appreciate it and I hope you get to give this craft a try sometime. I just did it today with a group of people I volunteer with. Fun was had by all.
What a fun and easy activity! Pinned it to my crafty folder! Thanks for sharing
- AUTHOR
Thank you so much pstraubie - This would be a really good craft for for your grandson to do and it is not too messy. I hope you make some lovely suncatchers and memories with him! I'm glad you stopped by to read.
How cool is this. My grandbaby comes to visit almost every day and he likes to 'do' things. I also like to do crafts with kids as I did so for forty years while teaching. I have just moved into a new (old in years) house and am lucky enough to have a craft room...so we can make a mess and it is OK.
Thanks for sharing. Pinned and shared Angels are on the way to you this morning. ps
- AUTHOR
Thanks Sunshine! I bet this one would be a good one for your grandkids. You could have a house full of suncatchers! I appreciate the comments. Have a great day.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much Prasetio. I'm glad you enjoyed the hub and I appreciate the support.
- AUTHOR
I appreciate it starbright. It's always interesting to see what color combinations kids will come up with. Thanks for reading and commenting.
- AUTHOR
Thanks RTalloni - I love kids art projects and this one is always one of my favorites.
- AUTHOR
Hi Rebecca - I like leaves too. I bet one could find fall colored tissue paper and do leaf shape cutout. That would be lots of fun! Glad you enjoyed the hub. Thanks.
- AUTHOR
Nell - You should definitely make one for yourself too! I usually do. It does amaze me how kids get so bored with the same toys. This is a nice change of pace. Many thanks for reading and commenting.
- AUTHOR
I appreciate it aviannovice It might even be fun to cut out a pattern of a bird. Anything is possible with these and you are right, it is a good way to keep kids busy. Thanks for commenting.
- AUTHOR
BlossomSB - I agree, I think all ages love to do crafts and this one fits the bill because everyone can do it with lovely results. I enjoyed making one too! Thanks for reading.
- AUTHOR
I appreciate it mr-veg and thank you for reading and commenting.
I love this craft idea!! It's so easy to make too!! Thanks for sharing Glimmer!!
Very creative and I love your idea here. Thanks for writing and sharing with us. Good job and voted up :-)
Prasetio
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much teaches! I appreciate that. I love doing art projects with kids and I think it really boosts their confidence. It also makes the world more beautiful.
Brilliant hub and really good for getting the arty juices going in the little ones. Very pretty sun catchers. Voted up.
Such a cute idea for introducing toddlers to art!
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much Bill. I know your grandson will love this one and you'll get a pretty suncatcher for your window. I appreciate the support for my hubs.
Very nice! I like to make sun catchers out of autumn leaves in the fall, but these look nice and summery!
I can honestly say I have never heard of this before, but wow its so much fun! now I know what to do with my babysitting little girl, we go through the same toys, she gets bored etc, I can't wait to go round a get started! oops sorry its meant to be for her not me...! lol! voted up and shared, nell
These are very nice. It's a good way to keep the kids busy, and allow them some creative license.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Sherry - I have a closet full of craft stuff for my daughter to do. Unfortunately she is getting older so I'm going to miss hanging up all of lovely projects. Thanks for reading!
- AUTHOR
I appreciate it Toytasting. I know you will have fun doing this craft. It has been raining here forever so I have been trying to think of more crafts to keep kids busy.
- AUTHOR
Hi thundermama - Both your kids will love this. That is what is so fun and they will love it when they hang in the windows too. Thanks for the kind comments.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much peachpurple. You definitely don't want a toddler using scissors if they are not ready. I'm glad you enjoyed the hub. Thanks for commenting.
What a great idea. I think this will be a good fun activity for different ages, not just toddlers. Your results are so effective, too, with good images as examples.
Nice thoughts... Good activity for toddlers and they will have fun as they learn... :)
These are so pretty! You are so creative and know how to make simple art a masterpiece!
Very creative Glimmer Twin. Will have to try with our grandson. Thanks for yet another easy and fun project. Voted up, shared, etc....
That looks so pretty, and simple for the little ones to do. It's so nice to have a collection of easy art projects for kids.
Glimmer, My kids and me love craft projects. This is so easy and yet so beautiful. This is going to be our next weekend activity. Thank you for sharing this.
- AUTHOR
moonlake - I have made them too. They really are fun. If you wanted to get fancy you could always make patterns with the tissue paper. Thanks for all of the support and comments.
I love this craft. Easy, fun and beautiful results. I have a 3 and 13 year old who will both love this craft. Super!
beautiful art project for the kids. Very easy to follow except for the cutting part which I would not let my son touch the scissors. otherwise, glue and pasting are fun motivation skills for him. Voted up and beautiful
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much Dreamhowl. They are easy and fun to do. Great for the rainy days we have been having here. I appreciate the support.
Toddler? I would hang these in my house. They would keep the birds away from the windows. Very pretty and a good idea for children. Voted up and shared.
This looks incredibly easy and fun to do. Voted up!
- AUTHOR
I hope your nieces and nephews enjoy this. You will reap the benefits with some pretty suncatchers to decorate your windows! Thanks so much for your kind comments.
- AUTHOR
Hi Bill - Been busy so far and my daughter has been out of school for 4 days. The little kids on your block could definitely do this. Another craft to keep the kids from getting bored this summer. Thanks for reading and commenting.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much sallybea! It was a fun craft to do and kids seem to love it. The best part is that it is so easy. I appreciate the comments.
Beautiful little craft. I will be doing this with my nephews and nieces. Thanks for the instructions and inspiration!
So very clever my friend. I doubt I could do it, but for sure the little kids on the block could do it. LOL
Seriously, a very nice craft project. I'll forward this to some friends who have small children. Well done1
I hope you are well and happy and enjoying summer.
bill
Something so easy and yet so pretty for little fingers to create. Nice one - this should give the children something special to do!
You have done a sterling job - taken loads of time and trouble to make
this really beautiful. Voted up Glimmer Twin Fan
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