Learn how to make a suncatcher without contact paper! In Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson, Ryan Hart had been looking forward to going to the parade with her friends, but unfortunately, a storm rolled in, cancelling all their plans. But Ryan isn’t the type of girl to just give up.
After instructing her friends to gather some supplies, her friend asked her, “What’s next?”
To which she replied, “Well, next we need to make some sunshine.”
A Positive Message
In addition to being just a super cute book following a girl’s day to day life, Ways to Make Sunshine also teaches the message of positivity. Ryan always looks on the bright side of every situation she finds herself in.
In this particular scene, she and her friends decide to use their imaginations and create their own parade inside her bedroom, and in order to do that, they had to create their own sunshine indoors to combat the gray stormy skies outside.
They gathered up some colored paper and made a bunch of suns to cover the walls and windows of her room, filling the space with sunshine. Ryan inspired me to create my own sunshine.
How to Make a Suncatcher Without Contact Paper
Yep, you read that right. The tutorial I’m sharing with you doesn’t use any contact paper, which is what most suncatcher tutorials use. Contact paper is too expensive, and I’m all about making cheap crafts for kids. At my preschool, we make suncatchers without it. It’s much more budget friendly while still looking beautiful when it’s finished. Not only that, but my method is more forgiving; there’s no worrying about bubbles when you lay it down or using too much if you mess up. So, what do I use instead?
Wax paper!
Wax paper is much cheaper than contact paper. You can make a whole bunch of suncatchers with just a single roll without worrying about spending a fortune if you did need to buy more.
It’s a perfect, easy craft to go along with the book. It’s great for both a classroom, homeschool, or to do at home with your kiddos just for fun. So, grab yourself some supplies and let’s get started!
Materials You Will Need
Most items you will find around your house or in your supply closet, so you probably won’t have to buy much. You need:
-wax paper
-yellow tissue paper
-orange tissue paper
-black construction paper
-scissors
-glue
-pencil/pen
-a small plate or something round to trace
Here’s What You Need to Do
First, cut out some squares of orange and yellow tissue paper with your scissors. About a half inch to an inch square should be fine. Don’t worry too much about size, but try to get them all fairly similar. When you’re done, set them aside for later.
Next, we need a round sun shape. Start by tracing the plate onto the black construction paper, and then cutting it out. You will then fold the paper in half three times until it looks like a pizza slice.
See those red dashes in the picture above? That’s where you need to cut. Keep the part marked in red in the picture. Once it’s cut out, unfold it. You should now have a hollowed-out sun shape!
(That black pizza slice can be used again. If you cut it again [the green area in the picture above] like you just did, you will get a slightly smaller sun, but of course, that’s optional.)
Cut off a piece of wax paper that is slightly bigger than your sun. Then, put a line of glue all around your sun and glue it onto the wax paper.
With the glue, draw a circle inside the sun and fill the outer space with glue. After that, cover that area with the orange tissue paper.
Next, fill the inside circle with glue and cover with the yellow tissue paper.
Almost there!
Now you need to outline the sun in glue again. After that, cover the whole sun in lots of glue. Don’t be shy. Since we’re not using contact paper, we need to make sure the wax paper adheres to the sun well enough.
Kids can definitely help with this step! Let them use their motor skills and squeeze glue all over their sun!
Take another piece of wax paper (the same size as the one your sun is currently on) and cover your sun with it, pressing it thoroughly. Alternatively, if your original piece of wax paper is long enough, just fold it over and sandwich your sun with the wax paper. Either method is fine.
At this point, you just need to let it dry. Let it sit overnight just to be sure. Once it’s completely dry, cut out your sun.
And that’s it!
Lastly, you can attach it to a window with tape, or hole punch the edge and tie some string onto the sun and hang from a suction cup or other hook.
I don’t know about you, but I think Ryan was right; having a few brightly colored suns on my window definitely brightens up the room and fills the space with sunshine.
Tag us!
We’d love to see your suncatcher creations if you make these! Tag us on Instagram @theliteraryhavensisters and use the hashtag #theliteraryhavensisters, and leave a comment below! Don’t forget to Pin it and share on all your social media!
Want More Tutorials for Ways to Make Sunshine?
Blackberry Lime Extravaganza Smoothie –Make this delicious smoothie that Ryan invents in the book!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Kabobs –Super simple and kids love it!
Lemon Brownies –Lemon and chocolate? Yes, please! These brownies are just like Ryan makes them!
Ways to Make Sunshine book review –Read about our thoughts on this cute story!
Video Tutorial
Watch the video below of me making it if videos are more your thing!
