Paper Plate Sun Catcher
Enjoy a bright and simple craft that children can proudly hang in a sunny window. This Paper Plate Sun Catcher activity is perfect for a quiet afternoon at home or in the classroom, and it helps kids practice cutting, gluing, and choosing colors while creating cheerful decorations together with an adult.
What You Will Need
Gather these supplies before you begin so children can stay focused on the fun:
- Paper plate (white or plain, with the middle cut out)
- Colored tissue paper, cellophane, or scrap transparent wrappers (cut into small shapes)
- Clear contact paper or self-adhesive laminating sheets
- Child-safe scissors
- Glue stick or clear-drying liquid glue
- Hole punch
- String, yarn, or ribbon for hanging
- Optional: markers, crayons, or stickers to decorate the plate rim
Step-by-Step Instructions
Work through these steps together. Adults can read each step aloud while children help with the parts they can safely do.
- Prepare the plate. If your paper plate is still solid, an adult should carefully cut out the center, leaving a wide ring around the edge. This ring will be the frame for your sun catcher.
- Cut colorful shapes. Invite children to cut or tear small pieces of tissue paper or cellophane. Squares, triangles, and random shapes all work well.
- Arrange the design. Place a sheet of clear contact paper sticky-side up on the table. Help children gently press their colorful pieces onto the sticky surface to make a bright, mosaic-style design.
- Seal the artwork. When the design is finished, place another layer of clear contact paper on top, sticky-side down, to seal the tissue paper inside like a window.
- Trim to fit. Cut the sealed sheet into a circle that fits behind the paper plate ring. It does not need to be perfect—just large enough to cover the opening.
- Attach the sun catcher. Use glue around the back of the paper plate ring and press the colorful circle in place, so it fills the open center.
- Add decorations. Let children use markers, crayons, or stickers to decorate the rim of the plate with suns, clouds, or patterns.
- Make a hanger. An adult can punch a hole at the top of the plate and tie a loop of string, yarn, or ribbon so the sun catcher can be hung up.
- Display and enjoy. Hang the Paper Plate Sun Catcher in a sunny window and watch the colors glow when the light shines through.
Safety Note for Children
Always ask a grown-up to help with scissors, hole punching, and cutting the center out of the paper plate. Keep small pieces of plastic and tissue paper away from mouths and faces, and clean up any scraps from the floor or table when you are done. Take your time, listen to your helper, and have fun making your sun catcher safely.
Download Printable Instructions
You can use the link below as a placeholder for a printable version of this activity. It may be connected to a file on your site that you can download and share with families.
Keep Creating Together
Once your Paper Plate Sun Catcher is hanging in the window, take a moment to admire it together. Ask children to describe the colors they see and how the light changes during the day. You can repeat this activity with different color themes, holiday shapes, or even make a whole row of sun catchers for a bright, happy display.
