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DIY a nature collage suncatcher that's the perfect craft for toddlers!
We picked up so many cool leaves and flowers on our nature scavenger hunt, and I wanted to find a way to keep enjoying our treasures. Enter a little contact paper to make a pretty nature collage suncatcher!
Craft a Pretty Nature Collage Suncatcher for Toddlers
Given the general lack of flowers I have in my yard, these still turned out colorful! The pretty frames added such a nice touch of color, I think!
Check out the original idea that Jean The Artful Parent shared in the Camp Mom: Summer Activities Pack. They’re just gorgeous!
We kept these pretty simple. Simple is my favorite kind of craft and activity!
To make your own nature collage suncatcher, you’ll need:
- paper plates
- contact paper
- yarn or ribbon
- flowers and leaves
- scissors
- hole punch
- tape
I made the frames for the suncatchers using leftover paper birthday plates. We happened to have orange and green party plates on hand, so that’s what we used.
Find more classic summer crafts for kids to make!
I loved what Jean did for her frames. It brought her kids into the craft a little bit more.
To make the frame, I just cut out the center of the plate. That was easy enough.
Then I used the plate piece that I cut out to figure out the size of the contact paper that I’d need. I cut a square just larger than the center of the plate.
I also trimmed down the corners just a tad to make sure they wouldn’t stick out past the plate edges.
Then, I stuck the square of contact paper onto the back of the paper plate. The sticky side of the contact paper was up when I set the plate on the table.
Make a Pretty Nature Collage Suncatcher with Flowers & Leaves
The boys added their nature items to the contact paper. They arranged them inside the plate “frame” to make a design.
The boys tore them apart into little pieces or left their nature items as big pieces. As they created their design, they also added and took away items as inspiration struck.
The contact paper isn’t too sticky, so moving pieces on, off, and around was pretty easy.
I especially love contact paper as a medium to craft with toddlers. Contact paper is a mess-free way to glue!
It’s so easy and kids love the stickiness of it. It’s like magic to them!
I wish I had more photos of the boys working at it. But I was happily making my own suncatcher with them and I only got a couple of snapshots.
When the nature collages are finished, I attached a piece of ribbon to the top of the paper plate frame. I just stapled ours on.
We hung it in a window from the window locks, but you could also use a curtain rod or hook.
I just love seeing the beautiful flowers and leaves preserved in our nature collage suncatchers! It’s like we captured a beautiful day outside together, too!
How do you use nature in your crafts and activities? Share your ideas with the community!
