Suncatchers are a lovely way to decorate your home, bringing beautiful patterns and colors to your rooms when the sun shines through them. In this article I will be explaining how to make a suncatcher craft with your kids. DIY suncatchers are easy to make and this beautiful stained glass effect suncatcher craft is sure to delight kids of all ages.
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What is a suncatcher?
Suncatchers are small decorations that can be hung in your window. On sunny days, when the light shines on a suncatcher, it will reflect beautiful rainbow colors and pretty patterns into your room.
DIY suncatchers are a perfect craft to make with children and toddlers. They will enjoy making this craft and equally love watching the magical colors and patterns as the sun comes through the window and the light catches their suncatcher. These lovely DIY suncatchers will also make nice gifts for relatives and friends.
What different materials can be used to make suncatchers?
Suncatchers can be made from many different types of materials.
Some of the more popular suncatchers are made from stained glass, beads or even crystals. Shiny objects that reflect light such as old CD's, or transparent items that light can shine through such as plastic candy wrappers or tissue paper, are perfect for making DIY suncatchers.
You can also use plastic beads, crystals or painted glass. As long as the light can be reflected, or shine through, there are endless possibilities for making DIY suncatchers!
Supplies needed
- 2 sheets of black cardstock
- Transparent cellophane sheets
- Ribbon
- A pencil
- Scissors
- A glue stick
How to make a beautiful suncatcher
- First you are going to take your black card stock and draw the outline of a shape for your suncatcher craft. I have chosen to use a bird shape but you can use any shape you like.
2. The next step is to use your scissors to cut out your shape and then cut random holes into the middle.
3. Once you have done this, you are going to take your second piece of black cardstock and draw round your first shape, including the holes. Cut out your second shape. You should now have 2 shapes that are the same.
4. Next you are going to take your transparent cellophane sheets and cut them into small rectangles. Note: It is good to use a few different color sheets for this craft as the light effect will be better.
5. Taking your first shape, glue all over one side of the card stock and then stick colored shapes all over, making sure all holes are covered.
6. Next take your second shape and glue this all over before sticking it on top of the first shape, sandwiching the cellophane between the card stock shapes. Cut away any excess around the edges.
7. Finally, make a hole in the top of your suncatcher craft and thread a piece of ribbon through. You can hang your suncatcher in a window and watch the beautiful colors and patterns it makes when the light shines through.
Tips & Tricks
- It is best to find a window that gets lots of sun to hang your suncatcher craft. This way you will get the best effect when the light shines through. If you don't have a sunny window you could also try hanging your suncatcher from a ceiling light.
- I have used black card stock as it contrasts well with the colors of the cellophane but you can choose any color. You could also extend the activity by using white card stock and letting your kids decorate it with crayons before you begin.
- If you don't have cellophane sheets then you can use colored tissue paper as light will also shine through this.
- PVA glue will also work well, you will just need to leave your suncatcher to dry before you hang it in the window.
If you are worried about cutting the holes in your shape, choose a symmetrical shape such as a circle or a square and fold it in half to cut the holes.
If you are looking for more kid-friendly craft ideas, check out this Easter Wreath Idea and these colorful, fun tissue paper crafts.
FAQs
How to make suncatchers with glass beads?
The best beads to use to catch the sun are clear crystal beads which make beautiful rainbows when the sun hits them at the right angle, but you can also use colored glass or plastic beads.
Simply thread your beads onto a string or ribbon and hang them in the window. It is best to thread a bigger bead at the bottom to weigh down the suncatcher.
How to make suncatchers with crystals?
If your crystals dont have holes for threading then you can use thin craft or jewelry wire to make your suncatchers. Simply wrap wire around each crystal to hold it in place.
You can either make a single line of crystals to hang in the window or hang separate crystals on wires from a stick.
How do you make Suncatchers for toddlers?
The stained glass suncatchers I have made in this article are great for toddlers to make as the colored plastic provides a safe alternative to glass. You can adapt the craft to be more toddler friendly by pre-cutting the shapes and colored pieces for your child.
How do you make a butterfly suncatcher?
You can make a butterfly suncatcher by cutting your card stock into a butterfly shape. To make a symmetrical butterfly, first fold your card stock in half and then draw half a butterfly to cut out. Keep it folded to cut the holes.
Does a suncatcher need direct sunlight?
Suncatchers work best when they are positioned in a window that gets direct sunlight, especially crystal suncatchers. If your suncatcher is in a window without direct sunlight, it will still look nice but it wont project light into your room.
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