Have you ever created suncatchers with your preschoolers? We have never created a suncatcher that we didn’t fall instantly in love with. They add brightness, color, and fun to any window and make fabulous gifts! This particular suncatcher, our Easy Glass Gem and Glue Suncatcher, is perfect for any season and can be switched up to match color schemes or holidays. I can guess that your preschoolers will love making these just as much as mine did!
For the lid, just use any recycled lid you have around or a lid that is in a set of plasticware.
Glass gems can be found at dollar stores, craft stores, thrift stores, or online.
Clear glue is at most stores, and Amazon has a great deal on it as well.
Start by arranging the gems on the clear plastic lid. This can be done in any pattern or form. Let the children create to their heart’s content! They look amazing no matter what! If glass gems in multiple colors are used, the patterns will be more detailed.
Extra Idea: If multiple colors are used, a child’s first initial could be included in the pattern of the suncatcher.
Once the gems are in the pattern the way the child would like, have the child squeeze clear glue all around the gems. Every part of the clear lid should be covered in clear glue in order to ensure the gems stay in place. This is perfect fine motor practice.
If children have trouble squeezing the glue bottle, taking the lid off and letting them pour is an easy solution.
Set the suncatcher in a safe place where the glue can dry. This may take a few hours or even days to completely set up.
You want to ensure that all of the glue is totally dry and set up, or the next step may not turn out right. If you live in a humid region, expect it to take several days.
I would suggest that an adult completes the next few steps, for safety reasons.
Using the thick needle or pin, separate the dried glue from the lid. It should pull out rather easily.
Once this is done, you may use the pin to poke a hole in an area of the glue that doesn’t have gems in it. Make the hole small but large enough to get the twine or yarn through.
Loop a section of twine or yarn through the hole and tie at the ends. This creates the hanging string that will hold the suncatcher in the window.
How simple is that? This makes a perfect craft for preschool classrooms or individually at home. And you can do it again and again to incorporate holiday or seasonal colors.
This also makes a fantastic gift idea from a child. I know I personally would love my children to make one for me as a gift!
My experience with these types of sun-catchers is that as soon as the sun hits it, the glue melts and the stones fall off.