A leaf suncatcher is a great autumn craft for kids! Use transparent contact paper and fresh autumn leaves to create these lovely suncatchers.
Updated September 2024
One of our favorite things about this time of year is the beauty of Autumn leaves and all of the fun and beautiful crafts you can make with them.
Here’s a quick and easy autumn leaf suncatcher you can make with the leaves around you. Or, if you don’t have colorful leaves where you live, flower petals or green foliage work as well.
This activity is easy enough for the youngest toddlers (although they may spend as much time taking the leaves back off as they do putting them on) and gorgeous enough that you may want to make your own.
How to Make a Leaf Suncatcher for Kids
MATERIALS
- Transparent contact paper
- Fresh autumn leaves
- Heart or other hole punch (optional)
Time needed: 30 minutes
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prep your contact paper
Cut off a rectangular piece of contact paper. Fold it in half, then pull the paper covering off to the fold, exposing half of the sticky plastic.
- Add your leaves
Arrange your autumn leaves on the sticky contact paper and press to adhere.
If desired, use your hole punch to cut out heart (or other) shapes from leaves and add those to the suncatcher as well.
- Fold over your contact paper
When you are satisfied with your design, remove the rest of the paper backing from the contact paper.
Carefully fold it over the leaves, sandwiching them in between the two layers of plastic, and press down with your hands, avoiding air bubbles if possible. - Enjoy!
Hang in a sunny window and admire!
You can tape your suncatchers to the window or punch holes in the top and add a ribbon for hanging.
A note about the leaves: The fresh autumn leaves are beautiful, vibrant, and full of color which is one of the reasons we like to use them for these nature suncatchers every year (rather than pressed and dried autumn leaves). However, please note that they will lose some of their color over time and decay. Ours are usually enjoyed for about two weeks before we take them down.
More Leaf Crafts for Kids
- How to Preserve Fall Leaves and Create Mandala Leaf Art
- 10 Fun Crafts with Leaves for Autumn
- How to Make an Autumn Leaves Stained-Glass Window
- How to Make Fall Leaf Rubbings for Kids
- How to Make Painted Paper Leaves
- 12 Creative Fall Craft Ideas for Kids
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