Summer Suncatcher Craft for Preschoolers

One of our favourite ways to celebrate the arrival of warmer days is with this bright and cheerful sun-themed sun catcher craft,perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. It’s low-mess, easy to prep, and makes a lovely seasonal decorations for your window. Best of all, it’s a great way to talk with your little ones about sunshine, colour, and the changing seasons, no formal lesson required.

We first made these suncatchers years ago when my eldest was just a toddler, and every summer since, it’s become a little tradition and one of our favorite ways to celebrate the changing season.

Sun Suncatcher Craft for Kids

Contact paper suncatchers (sticky-back plastic) are so easy to make however you may not have any around. So if you don’t then this method which uses glue and makes the suncatcher more durable, will work just as well and create a beautiful suncatcher to decorate your window. If you do have some contact paper then our method for contact paper suncatchers can be found with our ladybug suncatcher craft. This sun suncatcher is a simple craft for your preschoolers and older toddlers to make and will really brighten up your days.

If you are making this sun craft for the summer solstice then pick one of our best books to read with kids to celebrate the summer solstice and read the book together and then make this summer solstice craft to celebrate the longest day of the year.

Why We Love This Craft for Preschoolers

• Supports fine motor development with peeling and placing tissue
• Encourages creativity and pattern-making
• Opens up natural conversations about the sun, light, and colour
• Easy to adapt for different ages or themes

If you’re exploring summer, weather, or light and shadows with your preschooler this season, this is a great place to start.

Materials needed for Sun Contact Paper Suncatcher

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• Yellow and Orange Tissue Paper
• Yellow and orange paper (construction paper or cardstock work really well)
• School or PVA glue
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Two different size bowls to draw around

Check out our summer books for toddlers and preschoolers to read alongside this fun and simple craft for kids.

How to make the Sun Suncatcher with Preschoolers

1. On a piece of yellow paper draw around the large bowl and then draw inside with a smaller bowl add in the rays of the sun like the image below.

2. On the orange paper draw around just the 2 bowls to create the centre of the sun.

3. Cut out the circle from the the orange paper and a star shape from the yellow (make sure that you continue the rays down to the inside of the circle).

4. Now you have all the prep done it’s time to let your child tear or cut up some tissue paper to fill in the sun.

5. Start gluing the outside of the yellow star shape first. Then place the orange ring in place.

6. Now lay the tissue paper on the sun. Don’t worry if it goes over the edges that’s a good thing!

7. Leave the suncatcher to dry and then cut off the excess tissue paper and then attach to the window in direct sunlight.

Optional – Hang the sun via some thread or ribbon so that it can turn and catch the sunlight.

More Suncatcher Ideas

• Ladybug Suncatcher
• Mondrian Inspired Suncatcher
• Fall Windowstar Suncatcher Craft

More Summer Crafts for Kids

Looking for even more crafts check out these other ideas and activities for kids this summer.

• Summer Crafts and Activities especially for Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Beach Crafts for Kids
• Summer Paper Plate Crafts for Kids