13 Sun Crafts for Kids That Bring All the Summer Vibes and Zero Meltdowns

When the sun’s shining, we all want a little of that sunshine inside too, especially for our toddlers ! Our kids love getting crafty, so why not mix the two and make some bright, happy fun sun crafts together?

These sun crafts are perfect for getting creative, keeping little hands busy at summer camp , and bringing a burst of color into our homes.

Let’s be real—sometimes we just need an easy way to keep our little ones entertained while we sip our coffee (while it’s still warm). Whether it’s a lazy afternoon or a rainy day, sun crafts give us a chance to laugh, make a mess, and show off our masterpieces on the fridge.

1) Paper Plate Sun with Yellow and Orange Paint Rays

Let’s grab a paper plate and bring out all that sunshine energy! This craft is so easy, and honestly, the messier, the better.

We can paint the plate a bright yellow to start (kids love this part—hello, paint everywhere). Now, let’s cut up some yellow and orange strips from construction paper for the sun’s rays.

Glue those rays around the plate, and bam, instant sunshine! For extra fun, let the kids give the sun a happy face—because why not?

Check out more ways to jazz it up at this cute sun crafts paper plate sun craft idea.

2) Sun Suncatcher Using Tissue Paper and Glue

This sun suncatcher is seriously a win for an afternoon craft, making it one of the ultimate fun sun crafts . We just grab some wax paper, colorful tissue paper, and good old school glue—nothing fancy, promise.

Rip up the tissue paper with your hands for extra fun (who has time for scissors, right?). We layer bits of tissue onto the wax paper with glue until it’s full of sunshiny vibes.

Hang it up, and let the sun do its magic—your window will look amazing. Check out these step-by-step tips if you want some extra help (or just need an excuse for more color)!

3) DIY Sun Puppet from Paper and Popsicle Sticks

Let’s be real—paper, glue, and popsicle sticks are our go-to craft BFFs for older children . Making a sun puppet? So easy, even if we haven’t had coffee yet.

We just cut out a happy yellow sun from paper, glue it to a popsicle stick, and maybe add a cool face. Our kids love waving their homemade sun around, making it “rise” or “set” whenever they want.

Need some step-by-step inspo for crafts for kids ? Check out this fun paper cup puppet video for ideas to mix it up!

4) Recycled Collage Sun with Scraps of Colorful Paper

Let’s grab those leftover scraps—yes, even the ones hiding under the couch! This sun craft is all about using what we’ve got and turning it into something so bold and bright, we kinda wish it gave us a tan.

We just glue the paper pieces onto a circle, mixing up all the colors for that burst of sunshine vibe. If we want to get fancy, we can toss in a few magazine cutouts and let the kids go wild.

If you’re looking for easy steps and more inspo, check out this fun Recycled Collage Sun Craft.

5) Sun Craft Weaving Using Paper Strips

Let’s break out the scissors and paper because this sun craft weaving project is giving major sunshine vibes! We just cut out a big circle for the sun and then slice up some colored paper strips.

Weave those strips over and under, kind of like a picnic basket. It’s seriously so easy and lets our kids flex those fine motor skills.

We can even try adding yellow and orange for extra sunny flair, especially with spring colors . Looking for inspo? Check out some fun summer paper weaving crafts for more ideas.

6) Origami Paper Sun Toy Fold

Okay, let’s get crafty with some origami vibes! We just need some bright paper and our hands ready to fold and laugh at our weird creases.

This sun craft is a throwback to those classic origami projects, but way easier than it looks. We can follow a simple origami sun tutorial if we need a visual boost.

These little paper suns look adorable in windows or taped to the fridge. Let’s make a few—sunny mood guaranteed!

7) Sun Flag with Handprints and Bright Colors

Let’s make some seriously happy art to celebrate ! To create a sun flag, we grab a big piece of sturdy paper or fabric and go wild with yellow, orange, and pink paints.

We press our painted handprints all around a big bright sun shape right in the middle. We love letting the kids pick their favorite neon colors and seeing how each “ray” looks totally unique.

If you want a little extra sparkle for the summer solstice (because, why not?), toss on some glitter or shiny stickers. We can hang our flag up in the window or by the door and let it yell “Summer’s here!” every single day.

Need inspo? Check out these sun flag and handprint crafts.

8) Thermocol Styrofoam Plate Sun with Glitter

Okay, team, who’s ready for some sparkly sunshine? We can grab a thermocol or Styrofoam plate—fancy, right?—and turn it into a super cute sun using glitter, paint, or whatever we find in our craft bin.

We snip the sides for sun rays and then go wild with the sparkle. It’s messy, and honestly, the glitter will be with us forever.

But the results? So cheerful! Get step-by-step inspo from this Styrofoam Plate Sun idea.

9) Compliment Sun: Write Kind Words on Sun Rays

Okay, seriously, this craft brings the sunshine vibes hard! We get to make a happy sun face, but the magic happens when we add those rays.

Here’s the best part: We each write a sweet compliment or kind word on every sun ray. Think “You’re funny!” or “Best dance moves ever!” Boom, instant confidence boost.

It’s a super fun way to spread kindness, and you can even hang these up so everyone sees the good vibes. Want step-by-step directions? Check out this adorable compliment sun craft idea.

10) Sun Painting Using Sponges and Paint

Let’s get a little messy (in a fun way with some crafty things !). Grab some yellow and orange paint, a few sponges, and paper.

Dab away and watch those suns pop to life right before our eyes. We can cut the sponges into circles or sun shapes, or just use what we’ve got.

It does not need to be fancy! Check out this sweet sponge stamp sun craft for a quick how-to and inspo.

11) Paper Sun Card to Send Sunny Vibes

We all need a little sunshine in our lives! Let’s grab some yellow paper, scissors, and markers to make a cute sun card.

We love how this smiley sun opens up to reveal a special message. You can even write something silly or sweet inside to make someone’s day extra bright.

If you want an easy step-by-step guide, check out this sun DIY paper card tutorial for inspo.

12) Easy Paper Plate Sun with Cut-Out Triangles

Grab a paper plate, some yellow paint, and let’s get messy together! We’re talking sunshine everywhere—no sunscreen required.

Paint the plate yellow. Cut another plate into triangle pieces for the sun rays.

Glue those triangles around the rim. Bam, instant sunshine.

Want to get extra? Add ribbon rays or maybe some sunglasses for flair.

This craft is super simple and totally perfect for days when we just want to keep it easy and bright. For a step-by-step visual, check out this paper plate sun craft.

13) Sun Craft with Yarn Rays for Fine Motor Practice

Let’s get those little hands moving with a sun craft that’s actually a secret fine motor workout! Start with a simple paper plate for the sun’s face, then punch holes around the edge.

Now for the fun part: thread yarn through the holes to make bright, funky sun rays. It’s like sewing, but way less stressful.

Our kiddos love picking out wild yarn colors and watching their suns come to life. More details for this activity can be found in this summer sun threading project.

Why Sun Crafts Are Pure Gold for Kids

When our kids make sun crafts, they’re not just having fun—they’re growing their confidence! These bright projects help us sneak in some science and spark their imagination, all while letting them get a little bit messy (which, let’s be real, we’re totally used to).

Boosting Creativity and Imagination

Sun crafts basically open up a whole new world. Hand your kid a paper plate or some yellow paint and just watch what happens.

Will their sun have a smiley face? Sunglasses? Maybe some epic rays made out of pasta?

There are no wrong answers here! With these crafts, our little artists get to call the shots.

We love that there’s no “perfect” sun—each one is unique, and that’s the magic we can explore . Using supplies like paper, plates, or even random things from around the house makes it super budget-friendly and low-pressure for us parents.

Simple materials also mean our kids can do more of the work themselves. The results? Boosted confidence, proud grins, and a fridge full of sunny masterpieces.

Plus, let’s be honest, it keeps their hands busy and out of the snack bin for at least ten minutes.

Learning About the Sun (Without Textbooks!)

Making sun crafts is a sneaky way to talk about interesting topics like weather, space, or even traditions like the winter solstice without cracking open a single textbook. We can chat about why the sun is round, what it does for us, or even how it creates shadows while everyone is just busy gluing and painting.

Through hands-on art, our kids actually remember these little science tidbits. Using a paper plate for the sun’s face? That’s a great chance to explain how the sun is a big, glowing ball in the sky.

Adding yellow and orange rays with paint or yarn makes it easy to talk about light and warmth in a way that isn’t stuffy or boring. We can even make it a game—ask questions or tell fun sun facts while crafting.

When learning feels like play, everything sticks just a little bit better.

Tips to Make Your Sun Crafts Shine

We all know crafting with kids can be a blast, but it helps to set ourselves up for smooth sailing. Picking the right supplies and keeping the mess in check can turn a wild craft session into something everyone actually enjoys (including us grown-ups).

Choosing Kid-Friendly Materials

Let’s be real—tiny hands need supplies that won’t cause headaches for students . We always go for chunky crayons, washable markers, and blunt-tip scissors.

Construction paper is a must because it’s sturdy and comes in all those bold sun colors like yellow, orange, and even pink for when our suns want to stand out. Paper plates are perfect for easy sun shapes.

They’re strong enough to hold extra glue, wiggle eyes, or even popsicle sticks for rays. Tissue paper is another favorite because it’s bright and easy to rip and stick—plus, it looks so cool on sun crafts just like the ones you’ll find in these simple sun crafts for kids.

If we’re getting extra, foam stickers add some pop, and craft sticks can create awesome rays that don’t break off. And, remember, we skip anything sharp or hard to clean.

Save those fancy supplies for solo projects—let’s keep it easy and fun for everyone.

Must-have List for Our Craft Bin:

• Washable paint or markers
• Construction paper
• Blunt-tip scissors
• Paper plates
• Tissue paper
• Craft glue (for less stickiness, use glue sticks)
• Googly eyes and fun stickers

Easy Ways to Minimize Mess (But Not Fun!)

Let’s be honest—crafting turns into chaos fast if you don’t have a plan. To keep washable paint from becoming permanent “art” on the dining table, we always toss down an old sheet or a cheap dollar store tablecloth first.

It’s basically our superhero cape for messes. Aprons or just big old t-shirts work wonders for covering up the kids.

We roll up sleeves and tie hair back so nothing gets stuck in sticky goo. When glue or paint comes out, we grab paper plates as palettes—it keeps spills small, and we can just toss the mess afterward.

Baking trays or plastic bins make great craft zones. All the glitter, googly eyes, and tissue bits stay put, so there’s way less sweeping later!

Baby wipes are a total lifesaver for quick clean-up. We also keep a trash bag close for dumping used supplies right away.

Sometimes, if we’re extra prepared (or just really tired), we haul the whole craft station outside to celebrate . The sun helps with the drying, and the grass doesn’t seem to mind a little extra glitter.

For even less fuss, some sun crafts use squish painting techniques. It’s messy fun, but just a bit easier to handle.