Making sun-catchers for preschoolers can be a fun and engaging activity. Here are some detailed steps and ideas to create sun-catchers with preschoolers:
Materials needed:
1. Clear plastic lids from jars or containers
2. Colored tissue paper or cellophane
3. Scissors
4. Glue or tape
5. String or yarn
6. Hole punch (optional)
Instructions:
1. Start by collecting clear plastic lids from jars or containers. These can be cleaned and reused for making sun-catchers. You can also use clear plastic plates or sheets if you don’t have lids available.
2. Cut the colored tissue paper or cellophane into small shapes or strips. Let the preschoolers choose the colors they like.
3. Apply glue or tape around the edges of the plastic lid. This will serve as the adhesive for attaching the colored paper.
4. Encourage the preschoolers to arrange the colored paper pieces onto the sticky surface of the lid. They can create patterns, shapes, or simply cover the entire surface with colors.
5. Once the preschoolers are satisfied with their design, help them press the colored paper firmly onto the lid to ensure it sticks well.
6. If desired, use a hole punch to create a hole near the edge of the lid. This will allow you to hang the sun-catcher later.
7. Cut a piece of string or yarn and thread it through the hole. Tie a knot at the end to create a loop for hanging.
8. Find a sunny spot, such as a window, where the sun-catchers can be hung. The colorful designs will catch the sunlight and create a beautiful display of colors.
Alternative Ideas:
– Another option to create sun-catchers is by using melted plastic beads. Preheat an oven to 400°F (200°C) and place a single layer of plastic beads in a metal cookie cutter on a lined baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes until the beads have melted and fused together. Let them cool before removing from the cookie cutter. These can be hung using string or attached to a suction cup for window display.
– You can also make sun-catchers by melting crayon shavings between two sheets of wax paper. Place the crayon shavings on one half of the wax paper, fold the other half over, and press with a warm iron. Once cooled, cut the wax paper into desired shapes and attach string or yarn for hanging.
– For a nature-inspired sun-catcher, let preschoolers collect flowers or leaves. Stick them onto a piece of contact paper, sticky side up, and cover with another sheet of contact paper. Trim the excess and punch a hole for hanging.
– Provide preschoolers with paper towels or coffee filters and encourage them to use markers or watercolor paints to create vibrant designs. Once dry, you can cut the paper towels or coffee filters into shapes and attach string or yarn for hanging.
– Another option is to glue colorful glass beads onto a clear plastic lid or sheet. The beads can be arranged in patterns or randomly for a mosaic effect.
– Use black glue (glue mixed with black paint) or permanent markers to draw designs on clear plastic lids or sheets. Once dry, the preschoolers can fill in the spaces with colorful paints or markers. Add a hole and string for hanging.
– Dye pasta shapes using food coloring and rubbing alcohol. Once dry, preschoolers can thread the dyed pasta onto string or pipe cleaners to create their own unique sun-catchers.
These are just a few ideas to get you started on making sun-catchers with preschoolers. Feel free to adapt and modify these suggestions based on the materials and preferences available to you. Remember to always supervise the children and have fun exploring their creativity!