Materials

• Tissue paper in a variety of colors, cut into small pieces
• Scissors (use child-safe scissors for little ones)
• Contact paper or a self-laminating sleeve
• Two paper or bamboo plates
• Yellow or orange poster paint
• Paint brush
• Yellow or orange poster board or cardstock paper
• Craft glue
• Hole punch
• Yellow or orange ribbon

Directions

1. Cut the tissue paper into small pieces of various shapes and sizes and mix together into a pile. Using sticky contact paper or a self-laminating sleeve, arrange the tissue paper in whatever pattern you would like, making sure that the edges overlap and there are no spaces between the pieces. The idea is to create a stained-glass effect. When you have the tissue paper in place, carefully close the self-laminating sleeve or cover with another piece of contact paper and seal together, smoothing out any wrinkles or bumps. Let all of the edges adhere completely.
2. Cut out the middle of two paper or bamboo plates, leaving about 2 inches around the outside edge. Paint the plates yellow or orange and let dry.
3. Cut the laminated tissue paper into a circle that will fit inside the two paper plates (trace the paper plate to determine the size circle you will need). Use craft glue to secure the laminated circle of tissue paper between the two paper plate edges.
4. Cut out eight to 12 equal-sized triangles. While the craft glue is still wet, insert the triangles between the paper plates to form sun rays.
5. Punch a hole in the top of the two plates and thread a ribbon through. Hang the sun catcher in a bright window.