Crafting With Sun Prints
Here’s a fun and simple way to show kids just how powerful the sun can be. Crafting with sun prints on colorful construction paper creates beautiful silhouette designs using nothing more than sunshine and a little patience. This is a wonderful outdoor art activity for families, summer camps, or classroom activities.
Kids will love checking back to see how their designs have changed in the sunlight.
Supplies
• Construction Paper in darker colors
• Leaves or flat objects such as flowers, keys, lace, or small toys
• A Sunny Day
• A Flat Outdoor Surface
Instructions
Place a sheet of dark construction paper outside in direct sunlight.
Arrange leaves or other flat objects on top of the paper. Make sure the items lay flat so the sunlight cannot sneak underneath.
Leave the paper in the sun for about one hour. Midday sun works best.
Carefully remove the objects without shifting them around. You will notice that the paper has faded everywhere the sun touched it, leaving darker silhouettes where the objects blocked the light.
Tip: Try not to peek or move the objects while waiting. It can be very hard to place them back exactly where they were.
Fun Facts
Spending a little time in the sunshine helps our bodies produce vitamin D, which supports strong and healthy bones. However, it is important to use sun safety habits like sunscreen, hats, and limited exposure time to protect skin and eyes.
Sunlight contains ultraviolet rays that can fade many materials over time. That same fading effect is what makes this craft possible.
Source: John Hopkins Medicine – Sun Safety
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
This activity connects beautifully to science lessons about sunlight and ultraviolet rays. Have students predict what will happen before placing their objects outside.
Try experimenting with:
• Different colors of construction paper
• Different lengths of time in the sun
• Morning sun versus afternoon sun
Students can record their observations and compare results. This makes a great addition to weather units or summer themed classroom activities.
You can also turn this into a writing prompt by asking students to describe how the sun changes materials over time.
Supplies
Instructions
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
