We love using contact paper to make suncatchers. They let just the right amount of light through and are extremely versatile.
You can use contact paper to make suncatchers of all kinds, like these handprint suncatchers, traffic light suncatchers, and tulip suncatchers.
Our most recent contact paper suncatcher is this adorable and giant shark suncatcher craft. We made it as part of an under the sea theme.
Projects like these are a perfect way to work on fine motor skills and, because of its scale, it was meant to be a collaborative project for my boys. However, three year old K had other plans and wasn't interested in making a shark. That's okay, though, because J enjoyed making it himself.
Want to know how to make this shark suncatcher yourself? Then keep reading!
Shark Suncatcher Craft: What You'll Need
This giant shark suncatcher is a fun spin on the classic contact paper suncatcher idea. Here's what you'll need:
- Clear contact paper - I usually pick this up at Dollarama (it goes by another name like book cover protector or something).
- Black permanent marker - You'll use this to draw the outline of the shark onto the contact paper.
- Tape - You'll need tape in order to hang up the suncatcher in a window.
- Tissue paper, various colors cut into little squares - We like to reuse our tissue paper from birthday gifts, so I had no gray on hand. Instead, we used a combination of light blue, white, and purple, which I think looks lovely!
How to Make a Giant Shark Suncatcher for Shark Week!
On the non-sticky side of the contact paper, I drew the outline of a large shark. He's cute with his big eyeball and pointy teeth. Feel free to draw whatever type of shark you want. It could be a hammerhead, a great white, a whale shark...whatever you'd like.
Once the outline was done, I taped the contact paper to a window. My boys love working on a vertical surface and I know it's good for a child's development to encourage kids to work on a vertical surface.
Here's the shark hanging up swimming in our window before I peeled off the backing to reveal the sticky side of the contact paper. Great shark, isn't it?
Now, you can either encourage your kids to rip the tissue paper into pieces or use scissors to cut the tissue paper into little squares. I went with option B as I was trying to avoid the mess that is usually associated with option A. Another option is to get your kids to cut the tissue paper into little squares. Feel free to do whatever works best for your family.
Once your tissue paper squares are ready, it's time to decorate the shark. You simply place the tissue paper onto the contact paper and it will stick. It's super easy!
Repeat the process until the body of the entire shark is covered in tissue paper.
Once the shark is completely covered, you could seal the final craft with another piece of contact paper. I didn't, but I also didn't have another piece of contact paper that large kicking around....so that's my excuse.
The Finished Shark Suncatcher!
Regardless, I love how this shark suncatcher turned out! Here's what it looks like from inside the house:
And here's how it looks from outside looking in. He's totally cute, right? And fun fact: his names is Rhymes since, upon completion, five year old J declared, "I will call you Rhymes. Rhymes the shark." So that's that.
This preschool shark craft was part of the Light & Reflections Series. Be sure to check out these other fun ideas from this series' under the sea theme:
Fish Color Matching on the Light Table from Still Playing School
Under the Sea Small World on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows
What do you think? Will you be making a giant shark suncatcher craft of your own? It definitely makes for a perfect shark week craft and pairs nicely with this sharks I spy game.
