I love process art ideas for kids that are simple and work across the age ranges. These pretty Heart Sun Catchers do just that. These suncatchers are self adhesive and gently stick directly to the window so perhaps we’d be better to think of them as Heart Window Clings instead!
You make these Heart Sun Catcher Window Clings using a really simple painting technique which means that even tiny tots can get involved yet it can also be detailed and intricate for older children too, if they want more of a challenge.
I love that these window pictures can be made in all sorts of sizes, so individuals might want to make little ones or if you have a few children or are working in an early years setting or school you could just as easily make enormous collaborative art pieces too.
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These Heart Window Clings are fun to make anytime of the year and make really nice gifts. I think they lend themselves very well to Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day don’t you?
Zoom down to the bottom of the post to see lots of other heart crafts to try too.
Heart Sun Catchers/Window Clings Tutorial
Supplies For Heart Window Clings
- Contact Paper US / Sticky Back Plastic UK
- Paper
- Scissors
- Poster Putty US / Blu Tack UK
- Acrylic Paints US /UK
- Selection of Brushes US / UK
How To Make Heart Suncatchers/Window Clings
In the Autumn I used a similar method to make our Autumn Window Art. I made a video below which details the method for those of you that like to ‘see’ rather than ‘read’ instructions. In the video we used leaves and sponges, which we swapped for heart cut-outs and brushes in this art piece. Scroll on down for written instructions.
Cut two pieces of clear contact paper to your desired size.
Put one piece of sticky back plastic to one side, you won’t need it until the end. Keeping the paper backing on the plastic, use the Poster Putty to secure the plastic to the table, paper side down, plastic side up. You don’t want it curling up as it’s being painted.
Cut out some hearts from the paper and blue tack them onto the contact paper to stop them moving around when you add the paint.
Choose your selection of paint colours and dab the brushes up and down all over the plastic. Young children will probably find large brushes easier but older children might prefer to work with smaller brushes or a collection of sizes.
They can be really random with the paint dabbing or follow a pattern. It’s a great kid’s art activity that children can adapt to their own level and interest.
Top Tip: Make sure your children know to use a dabbing motion, up and down, up and down. If they go from side to side they’ll knock the hearts out of place or sneak paint under them which will spoil the silhouette. Think of all that lovely fine motor skill experience they’re getting!
Continue until all of the plastic is covered. We used acrylic paints and they only needed one layer but other paints may need a couple of layers. When the plastic sheet is covered in paint leave it to dry.
Once the paint is completely dry gently lift off the paper hearts. You should be left with some beautiful heart silhouettes.
Remember that piece of sticky back plastic we put to one side at the beginning? Now you need to remove its backing and stick that on top of the paint to seal it in. Watch the video above to see how to easily do it to avoid lumps and bumps in the plastic.
Now your lovely heart window art is ready to go on display. Simply peel off the paper backing and pop it on a window. How pretty is that?
An Additional Heart Craft
Did you notice the paper hearts you took off your window art? We thought ours looked so pretty that rather than throw them away we mounted them onto card stock and made greeting cards out of them.
More Valentine Crafts To Enjoy:
The Preschool Toolbox says
April 6, 2014 at 4:30 pmWhat a great craft for Mother’s Day! Pinning and sharing! TY, again, for sharing with us via FB!
Josie says
February 22, 2014 at 10:06 amI was drawn to your blog by its cute name and I’m so glad I visited. Stunning photos and wonderfully clear tutorials. I have missed Valentine’s Day, but would be a lovely Easter project too.
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
February 23, 2014 at 1:46 pmThanks so much Josie, it’s great to have you visiting!
Hannah Staveley says
February 16, 2014 at 12:13 pmThey look so good wish I had done something like that with the kids. x
Emily @amummytoo says
February 15, 2014 at 8:05 pmGreat idea and lovely vid, Em! You’re a natural on camera and your demo is really clear. I shall try this with the kids 🙂
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
February 23, 2014 at 1:46 pmThanks Emily, you’re so kind. 🙂
Laura @ Kneadwhine says
February 14, 2014 at 11:06 pmWhat a cute idea – I love it – and that you made good use of the hearts afterwards.
Alison Perry says
February 14, 2014 at 2:49 pmSuch a brilliant and clever idea – and I had no idea that sticky back plastic is called contact paper in the US. You learn something new every day… 🙂
laura redburn says
February 14, 2014 at 11:59 amreally quite liking that card! could be used with any shape too.
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
February 23, 2014 at 1:45 pmAbsolutely!
Kara says
February 14, 2014 at 7:17 amI love making sun catchers and this is such a wonderful idea
Charlotte says
February 13, 2014 at 11:59 pmLove that card – so cute
Sam @happyhomebird says
February 13, 2014 at 11:07 pmI want to do a suncatcher myself as they look great – my son will not entertain paint or crafting at all yet. But me, I could spend a lovely morning making these 🙂
Charly Dove says
February 13, 2014 at 11:03 pmWhat a great idea and so simple too – fabulous. Always good to make something nice and bright as well 🙂
Kirsty says
February 13, 2014 at 10:10 pmI love projects where children build up colours as it always looks so impressive and this craft is such a fantastic idea. I never thought of painting on contact paper. The to make it even better you can use the templates to make a card, such a great use of something that would otherwise be thrown away. Love it x
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says
February 13, 2014 at 9:22 pmWhat a gorgeous idea! We’re out of sticky backed plastic so I might not be able to get my two to do this tomorrow…but the weekend beckons!
Pinkoddy says
February 13, 2014 at 7:39 pmThis is such a lovely idea. I can’t hear of sticky back plastic without thinking Blue Peter.
You Baby Me Mummy says
February 13, 2014 at 7:28 pmThis looks like loads of fun. Very pretty, I will have to remember this for when Baby gets bigger x
agatapokutycka says
February 13, 2014 at 6:12 pmGreat idea, but I just spotted your bubble wrap painting – Love It!
Sarah Bailey says
February 13, 2014 at 5:08 pmI love that window covering, its so pretty – fab ideas for last minute 🙂 x
Ruth says
February 13, 2014 at 5:00 pmSome lovely ideas and very pretty, I simply love sun catchers/
Chelsea Williams says
February 13, 2014 at 4:50 pmThese look ace. Girls love window things as we have low windows. This would be a perfect make!! x
Jen aka The Mad House says
February 13, 2014 at 4:46 pmThis is beautiful
Sonya Cisco says
February 13, 2014 at 4:05 pmOoh I have never seen anything like that before, so pretty!
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
February 13, 2014 at 9:12 pmThank you Sonya.
Mummy of Two says
February 13, 2014 at 1:57 pmWhat a lovely idea the sun catcher is!
Terry says
February 13, 2014 at 1:50 pmI love any craft idea that will keep our grandkids busy and out of trouble while they are visiting. Thank you so much for this idea.
Emma "My Little 3 and Me" Smith says
February 13, 2014 at 9:11 pmI’m delighted you like it Terry.
Em @ snowingindoors says
February 13, 2014 at 12:58 pmGreat idea and nice and simple too
becky says
February 13, 2014 at 12:39 pmOh these are lovely!