Oh how kids go crazy for suncatcher crafts! This super cool suncatcher project is especially neat because it looks just like stained glass. And I love that it can be adapted for a wide variety of ages.
Follow our Craft for Kids Pinterest board!
Kids just love making suncatchers! There’s just something super exciting about seeing your completed artwork up in the window letting all the sunlight shine through. We’ve made suncatchers using crayon shavings and tissue paper suncatchers. Recently we added to our suncatcher collection by making suncatchers that look just like stained glass! (This post contains affiliate links.)
*This post was originally published on February 3, 2015 and has since been updated.
Materials for Faux Stained Glass Suncatcher Craft
- Ink-jet transparencies (Inkjet transparencies have a rough side that works with the highlighters. Regular transparencies won’t work for this specific project.)
- Scotch tape
- Highlighters in a variety of colors
- Black Sharpie
- Ruler or other straight edge
- Scissors
- Double-sided tape or liquid glue
- Construction paper or cardstock for frame
Directions for Making Faux Stained Glass Suncatcher Craft
1. Cut your inkjet transparencies to the size you’d like your suncatcher to be.
2. Your transparency has a rough side and a smooth side. Tape it down with a few pieces of tape so the smooth side is face up.
3. Use your black Sharpie and ruler to draw numerous intersecting lines across your artwork so it resembles a stained glass pattern.
4. Turn your transparency over so the rough side is face up. Use your highlighters to color in the areas formed by the intersecting lines. Let it dry.
5. Cut out a frame from your construction paper and use double sided tape or glue to adhere it to your artwork.
6. Hang it up in a window!
Tips
- In addition to drawing the intersecting lines, you can use your marker to make various designs and patterns on your artwork. Try making hearts, polkadots or swirls!
- Younger children can decorate the transparency with just the highlighters. No need to draw lines or color in designated areas.
- You can create all kinds of different designs!
I just love how the highlighters really let the light shine through! It looks so much like real stained glass!
Wow! That looks gorgeous! My 3 year old loves making sun catchers with tissue paper so we’ll have to give this a try 🙂
This is so beautiful and such a great idea!
Could you use other types of permanent markers?
I would think other brands would work as long as they are permanent. 🙂
Can you do this using laminating sheets? I was thinking they also have a smooth and kind of rough side if you cut them on the crease.
So cute! How have the colors changed over time? Has the sun bleached out the color from the markers?