This easy stained glass-inspired suncatcher craft uses yarn, paint, and a paper plate to create a colorful window decoration kids will love.
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We turned our stash of craft supplies into something truly magical—beautiful stained glass paper plates that catch the sun when placed in the sun! This colorful project looks lovely hanging in the window, and best of all, the kids were able to create their masterpieces with minimal help from me. Even my toddler, Little Dragon (who rarely stays long at the craft table), made his own vibrant plate. My preschooler, Little Tiger, kept asking for more plates to decorate—and honestly, I was right there with her.
This easy yarn and paint activity is a perfect example of Process Art (click here to see more art ideas) , where each creation turned out unique, stunning, and full of personality. While you have your yarn out, learn how to make yarn pictures here.
Suncatcher Crafts
A suncatcher craft is a colorful creation designed to hang in a sunny window, where it can catch and reflect the light like a mini piece of stained glass. These crafts are often made with transparent or translucent materials, like contact paper, tissue paper, cellophane, or even painted surfaces, giving kids a chance to explore color, light, and design in a playful, hands-on way.
Suncatchers are fun to make because they blend creativity with a little science—children get to experiment with layering colors and watching how sunlight brings their artwork to life.
Here are some more Suncatcher Craft Ideas:
Suncatcher Paper Plate Craft
Supplies
- Black yarn
- Acrylic paint (We love this Acrylic Paint Set)
- Paintbrush
- Clear contact paper
- Scissors
- Tape (Optional)
Directions:
For your convenience, printable directions are available at the end of this post.
- Prep the Plate:
Cut a circle out of the center of a paper plate. Have your child paint the front of the plate (around the cut-out) and set it aside to dry. - Attach Contact Paper:
Cut a circular piece of clear contact paper slightly larger than the hole in the plate. Use the circle you cut from the plate as a size reference. Stick the contact paper to the back of the plate so the sticky side faces the painted side. Secure with tape if needed. - Create the Design:
Cut yarn into different lengths and let your child press them onto the sticky contact paper to create a design.
- Paint the “Glass”:
Once the yarn design is finished, have your child paint inside the spaces between the yarn. Let it dry completely.
- Display & Enjoy:
Hang the finished plate in a sunny window and watch it glow like a stained glass masterpiece!
More Craft Ideas to Make Your Day Perfect
Print the Directions
Suncatcher Paper Plate Craft for Kids – Easy Yarn & Paint Activity
Materials
- Black yarn
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Clear contact paper
- Scissors
- Tape (Optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Plate: Cut a circle out of the center of a paper plate. Have your child paint the front of the plate (around the cut-out) and set it aside to dry.
- Attach Contact Paper: Cut a circular piece of clear contact paper slightly larger than the hole in the plate. Use the circle you cut from the plate as a size reference. Stick the contact paper to the back of the plate so the sticky side faces the painted side. Secure with tape if needed.
- Create the Design: Cut yarn into different lengths and let your child press them onto the sticky contact paper to create a design.
- Paint the “Glass”: Once the yarn design is finished, have your child paint inside the spaces between the yarn. Let it dry completely.
- Display & Enjoy: Hang the finished plate in a sunny window and watch it glow like a stained glass masterpiece!
Originally Posted 6/3/15, Updated 4/24/25
Do you put another piece of contact paper over the finished product to make it no longer sticky.
Hi Lynn, We didn’t use an extra piece of contact paper and the craft lasted a long time on our window–but you always could :). It certainly would make transporting the craft from school to home easier. Thanks so much for visiting!
What a beautiful craft idea. I always love looking at stained glass windows. This seems like a nice simple craft with lovely results. Thank you so much for sharing on Littles Learning Link Up. So glad you could stop by and join in. Your post is one of my featured posts this week. I hope you can stop by and join in again.
This is such a cute craft! It really does look like stained glass. Love it! Thank you for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in this week's issue.
Hi Mel, Thanks so much, I am so glad you love it and really appreciate the feature!!! 🙂 Have a great day and thanks for visiting!
Wow, I absolutely LOVE this craft! I will be using it next year with my preschool class for sure. Pinned it! Hey, if you have time please come to my Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop on Ducks 'n a Row and share this? We're live right now 🙂
Hi Sinea, Thanks so much for the sweet comment and the pin! I just stopped by and linked up, thanks for the invite! I love your zoo activity by the way 🙂
These turned out so beautiful! Fun for summer.
Hi Jeannine, Thanks so much! I totally agree, they are a fun way to catch those summer rays! 🙂
These are so beautiful! Thanks for linking up at Everything Early Childhood!
Hi Angela, Thanks so much! 🙂
Do you think this craft would work with parchment paper replacing the contact paper, so that the children can use markers to make the "stained glass" portion? I am looking for an activity for my PD program
I think that sounds like a great idea! I picture it looking like textured glass. 🙂
Love this idea! Definitely going to try it out!
Thanks so much!!! I originally had something else in mind but this worked out perfectly… I love it when that happens! 🙂