DIY Suncatchers: A Pretty Reminder of Craft Time Together

Looking for a craft project for your kids that will make everyone happy? Try this pretty but budget-friendly suncatcher craft idea! They are colorful and engaging for kids of any age, plus, the result is a vibrant and colorful decoration that is unique and would be a charming gift or proudly hung in a bedroom or kitchen window. You can watch a video tutorial here.

You may need a few things from the store; I picked mine up at the local Walmart.

1. Clear School Glue

2. Food Coloring (I like the color mixing description on the back of the box of the Crayola Brand.)

3. Plastic Lids (Any food container will do)

4. Spreading & Mixing Tools (Toothpick, Stir Stick, Cotton Swab, Plastic Utensil) 

5. Optional (Glitter, Dried Flowers, Sequins)

6. Hole Punch

7. Ribbon or String

Getting To Work (In the Best Way)

1. Prep your workstations: Since this can get messy and the food dyes stain, protect your surfaces and wear your crafting clothes.

2. Take a lid and pour or squeeze in a healthy layer of clear glue. I didn't add enough, and I wish one or two of my suncatchers were a little thicker. 

3. Next, add 3 or 4 drops of food dye. A little goes a long way, and my favorite suncatchers were the ones with less dye. If you want more saturation, add a drop or two as you go. 

4. Do your magic and start swirling. Watching the colors swirl is the fun part, and there are no mistakes, only learning opportunities. All the designs will be colorful and unique, even if it is a swirl of one color or a marbled look. 

5. If you would like to add some pretty sparkles, do that now. I chose not to drop anything in; instead, I opted for a colorful ribbon and added color to the glue. 

6.  This next step may be the toughest part for your kids, but you will need to wait about 3 days (or more) for the suncatchers to be dry enough to take out of the molds. The glue should be firm to the touch and will keep its shape when you remove the mold. At this point, you have a choice of trimming the edges and keeping them round or even cutting the circle into a different shape, like a heart or star. Suncatcher crafts for kids are all about creativity and expression; it’s up to you and your children, and there are no right or wrong choices!

7. The last step may be the most difficult. You will want to punch a hole in the suncatcher, tie a ribbon for hanging, and then decide whether to gift your beautiful creation or hang it in one of your windows for years to come. 

The reason I like this easy suncatcher craft for kids so much is that it is a custom keepsake of instant creativity. There are no wrong or right ways to make the final project, and there is a feeling of happiness while you are swirling the colors around. Our diy suncatcher craft is a great project to do multiple times a year; during the summer for rainbow suncatchers, or during the fall, for more autumn-colored suncatchers. It’s a simple, fun, inexpensive craft project for kids that brings the entire family together.

If your child likes to work with the same color tones, I would like to share our Ombre Name Labels and Clothing Labels. Of course, our Split design Name and Clothing Labels are always popular during camp and back-to-school season.