Shamrock Suncatcher
Brighten up your windows for St. Patrick’s Day with this easy to make Shamrock Suncatcher! Print the free Shamrock Template, cut it out and create a suncatcher. It’s an easy kids craft for St. Patrick’s Day that’s quick and easy to make.
If dream catchers catch our dreams at night, do suncatchers catch our daydreams? Well maybe shamrock suncatchers do! Because after all, St. Patrick’s Day is all about shamrock wishes isn’t it?
This super fun shamrock craft is a great activity to include around St. Patrick’s Day. I love making suncatchers year round because they’re simple and turn out looking so cute!
This simple craft is great for children of all ages and will make your windows extra festive. All you need is some tissue paper, this printable shamrock template, scissors, and a few other supplies to create the perfect little shamrock decoration!
Why You’ll Love this Shamrock Suncatcher
- Cutting and glueing objects is a wonderful activity for children that promotes fine motor skills.
- This craft uses minimal supplies and is not messy, making for easy clean-up after a fun craft time!
- Creating a shamrock suncatcher only takes a total of about 25 minutes! Perfect for the kiddos whose attention span won’t last for a really long craft time.
What You’ll Need for this Suncatcher Craft
- Black Card Stock – Card stock will help provide more structure to your suncatcher. But if you can’t find it, black construction paper will work!
- Pencil – Use a pencil, or any other writing utensil, to trace the shamrock template you will print out.
- Scissors – Regular scissors or safety scissors will both work great for this St. Patrick’s Day craft.
- Tissue Paper – Green and white tissue paper will be the most “St. Patrick’s Day” themed colors, but you could also use the colors of the rainbow!
- Adhesive contact paper– This clear contact paper can typically be found in the office supply section of your local Walmart. You could also look for it as an office supply store. Or, if you have trouble finding it, you can use Press n’ Seal instead!
- Glue stick – Any glue stick or craft glue will work for this craft!
- Shamrock template, optional – There is a template provided for you to trace your shamrock suncatcher shape. If you prefer to free hand it, you can do that as well!
How to Make a Shamrock Suncatcher
CUT AND TRACE: Begin by printing the shamrock template or free handing one yourself. Then, trace the shape onto a sheet black card stock. Cut the outside and inside of the shamrock from the black card stock paper, leaving a thick outline on the edges.
STICK: Cut a sheet of clear contact paper that is just slightly larger than the shamrock. Next, remove the backing off of the contact paper and place it on your workspace, sticky side up, with your previously cut shamrock underneath.
DECORATE: Take your little pieces of tissue paper and begin placing them inside the shape of your shamrock. Press them into the contact paper so that they stick. Arrange them to overlap one another and cover the whole space to make it look like a stained glass window.
GLUE: Slide the shamrock out from underneath the contact paper and then put a thin layer of glue around the edge. Place the shamrock glue side down onto the previously affixed tissue paper and press down to secure it.
Allow the glue to dry and then cut the excess contact paper off. Place in your favorite window and watch your creation shine!
Can I use Press n Seal instead of contact paper?
Absolutely! Press n seal will work just as well as the adhesive contact paper.
Will this be difficult for younger children?
The only part of this craft that may be difficult for younger kids is cutting out the shamrock. If an adult can pre-cut things for them, this fun shamrock suncatcher craft will go smoothly!
Pro Tips for the best Shamrock Suncatcher
- To jazz up your suncatcher craft, use craft glue and glitter, glitter glue, or stickers to decorate the border after it is glued on top of the tissue paper!
- If you’re making St. Patrick’s Day craft in a classroom setting, write each child’s name on the border of their shamrock in metallic sharpie.
- Make a shamrock garland by attaching your suncatchers to a piece of string with clothespins!
I hope all of your shamrock wishes come true! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
More St. Patrick’s Day Craft and Activities You’ll Love
- Go searching for the end of the rainbow (and the leprechauns that are there) with these Leprechaun Lookers!
- Lucky Charms Ice Cream is my favorite use for this magically delicious cereal.
- How do you make slime even more fun? You make Pot of Gold Slime!
- This Tissue Paper Flower Rainbow is a great St. Patrick’s Day Craft.
Shamrock Suncatcher
Ingredients
- Card stock black
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Tissue Paper green and white
- Adhesive contact paper clear
- Glue stick
- Shamrock template optional
Instructions
- Let’s start by making the shamrock for our suncatcher! Cut the template for the shamrock and trace it onto the piece of black cardstock. Cut around the outside and inside of the tracing and set aside.
- Now take your tissue paper and cut it into 1-inch squares. Set aside.
- Next, grab the clear contact paper and cut a piece just larger than the shamrock. Remove the backing and place contact paper sticky side up on top of the card stock shamrock which you already cut.
- Take your previously cut squares of tissue paper and start arranging them overlapping if necessary, pressing them onto the contact paper to secure them. Fill in the entire center of the shamrock. Repeat until all tissue paper is placed.
- Now take the shamrock from underneath the contact paper and place a thin layer of glue around the border. Lay the shamrock glue side down over the previously layered tissue paper. Press to secure and allow to dry.
- Cut the excess contact paper around the edges, and your shamrock suncatcher is complete!
Notes
- This activity requires some fine motor skills. You may consider pre-cutting items to save time if working with small children.
- Place this shamrock suncatcher on your favorite sunny window or glass door!
