Ocean Sun Catchers
Ocean Sun Catchers are a beautiful way to bring a little bit of the ocean indoors. Using shades of blue and green tissue paper, children can create colourful ocean-inspired decorations that glow when sunlight shines through them.
Adding sea creature silhouettes creates a lovely contrast against the vibrant colours and helps bring the underwater theme to life.
They're simple to make, look stunning hanging in a window, and offer plenty of opportunities for creativity and conversation about ocean life.
You'll Need
• Paper plates
• Laminating sheets or self-adhesive laminate
• Blue and green tissue paper
• Black card or thick black paper
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• String
How To
Cut the centre out of a paper plate to create a frame.
Attach a piece of clear laminate across the opening.
Tear or cut blue and green tissue paper into smaller pieces.
Arrange the tissue paper on the laminate to create an ocean effect.
Cut sea creature shapes such as fish, turtles, whales, dolphins, jellyfish, or seahorses from black card.
Place the sea creature shapes onto the design.
Seal everything in place using another piece of clear laminate.
Trim away any excess laminate.
Use a hole punch to create a hole at the top of the frame.
Thread string through the hole and tie securely for hanging.
Display your sun catcher in a sunny window.
What It Encourages
This activity supports:
• Creativity and artistic expression
• Fine motor development
• Ocean and marine learning
• Colour exploration
• Design and composition skills
• Following multi-step instructions
• Pride in creating something decorative
The combination of light, colour, and silhouettes creates a striking effect that children love seeing displayed.
A Last Note
Different shades of tissue paper create beautiful variations in colour when sunlight shines through them.
Encourage children to talk about their favourite ocean animals while creating. The finished sun catchers make lovely decorations and can spark ongoing conversations about caring for our oceans and marine life.
