How to Turn a Colorful Toddler Apple Craft into a Suncatcher

Inside: Put together an easy toddler apple craft that looks great in the window! Comes with a free apple printable template.

We love making sun catchers. There’s just something about all that color hanging in the window! Last fall we made the most beautiful leaf suncatchers with our toddlers, so this year I thought we’d do something similar, but using an apple template instead.

And while this toddler apple craft looks gorgeous in the window (especially on a sunny day), it’s also a fun way to work on fine motor skills.

If you are looking for something quick and easy that doesn’t require glue or paint, this is perfect!

I’ve provided a free apple printable that you can use to make prep time that much easier. Scroll down towards the bottom of the post to find the download.

How to Turn a Colorful Toddler Apple Craft into a Suncatcher

What you will need:

• ConTact (sticky) paper
• Pieces of colored tissue paper (we used white, red, green and yellow)
• Red and/or green paper to use when printing the apple download

Preparing this toddler apple craft:

Make copies of the apple printable on red and/or green paper (you could use yellow, too!). If you don’t have access to colored copy paper, you can use white and invite the children to color it using markers or crayons.

Cut out each apple and then remove the center of the apple, as shown below.

Cut a piece of ConTact paper so it covers the negative space inside the apple. Then press the ConTact paper on the back of the apple, sticky side up, so that it completely covers the negative space. I like to stick a piece of the backing on the sticky side while waiting to do the activity. This keeps the apple from sticking to objects (or sticking together, if you are stacking them up).

Place the pieces of tissue paper in small cups so they are ready to go.

How to make this toddler apple craft:

Remove the backing and show the child how it’s sticky. Invite them to press their fingers on top so they understand what sticky means.

Tell them to press their pieces of tissue paper on the sticky side.

Let them put as many pieces on as they wish. Some of our toddlers actually picked up the cup, dumped the tissue paper squares on top of the sticky paper, and then pressed them down. Hey, whatever works!

When finished, cut another piece of ConTact paper and place it on the other side of the apple, covering the sticky surface. Now nothing is sticky.

We used a hole punch and create a spot to insert a hook for hanging in the window.

Aren’t they cheerful hanging in our classroom window?

Looking for more ways to use ConTact paper? Check out this post: 15 Contact Paper Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Click on the photo below to get your free pdf download:

More apple activities that use the same apple printable:

Easy Apple Art Using Bubble Wrap

Apple Prints Using 2-Ingredient Puffy Paint

Apple Stamping Fun!