If you’ve got a few scraps of tissue paper left over from wrapping presents, save them for this Christmas light suncatcher craft! We used little squares of red and yellow tissue paper to make an old-fashioned Christmas bulb with a warm, patchwork glow.
The best part is holding it up to the window for the first time. See if the kids can spot where those two colors overlap and look orange.
Our free printable Christmas light template takes care of the bulb shape, so the kids can get straight to choosing their colors.
This craft works well for preschoolers and up. For little ones, cut out the frames ahead of time and let them fill the sticky centers. Older kids can cut their own bulbs and plan a pattern for a whole string of lights.
What You’ll Need
Grab the printable Christmas light template, black construction paper, colored tissue paper, scissors, and a glue stick for the little cap at the top. You’ll also need clear contact paper or wide clear packing tape.
We used packing tape for the bulb in the photos, so if you already have a roll tucked away with your gift wrap, you’re all set.
How to Make a Christmas Light Suncatcher
Follow the simple step by step instructions below
Suncatcher Christmas Lights
Turn tissue paper scraps into Christmas lights that glow in the window! Grab our free printable bulb template and let the kids pick their colors.
Materials
- Colored Tissue paper
- Tape/contact paper
- Scissors
- Construction paper
- Free printable christmas lights template
Tools
- Printer for template
Instructions
- Print the Christmas light template and cut out the bulb and its separate cap. Use the bulb as a guide to cut a frame from black construction paper. Cut away the middle, leaving the black outline in one piece. Set the cap aside for now.
- Cut the tissue paper into small squares. A quick way to do this is to stack a couple of sheets, snip them into strips, then cut across the strips. Wobbly edges are absolutely fine, and little ones can tear their pieces by hand if they prefer.
- Cut a piece of clear contact paper slightly larger than the bulb. Peel off the backing, lay it sticky side up, and press the black frame onto it. If you’re using packing tape like we did, overlap strips across the back of the frame, then turn it over so the sticky side faces up through the opening.
- Let the kids press tissue paper squares onto the sticky center until the opening is filled. Overlap the edges a little so there are no big gaps. One or two layers are plenty to give it that stained-glass look while still letting the daylight through.
- Trim any tissue paper and tape or contact paper that sticks out past the black outline. Turn the bulb over so the black frame shows neatly around the colors. Glue the paper cap behind the wide end of the bulb, with the little tab pointing up.
- Now take it over to the window and see how it looks in the light!
Before you tape your suncatcher to the window, hold it up and ask the kids if they can spot a third color. Those little orange patches are fun to find when you’ve only given them red and yellow tissue paper!
You can also use different colors if you prefer.
Make a String of Christmas Lights for Your Window
One bulb looks sweet on its own, but I love the idea of giving everyone in the family a bulb to decorate in their favorite colors. Tape a length of yarn in a loose curve across the window, then tape each paper bulb just below it so the little caps meet the yarn. You’ll have a whole string of homemade Christmas lights that “switch on” when you open the curtains in the morning.
This would make a lovely classroom Christmas display, too. Let each child write their name on their bulb cap so families can spot their little artist’s handiwork at pickup time.
Download Christmas Lights Template PDF
Download the free printable Christmas light template below to make your own tissue paper suncatchers. If you’re making several, you can cut out one template and trace around it for each bulb.
This printable is for personal and classroom use only.
What I love about these Christmas light suncatchers is that you can give every child the same bulb template and end up with a whole window full of different designs. One might go for stripes while another finds room for every last scrap of red. If you’d like to try this with your kids, pin it to your Christmas crafts board so it’s handy the next time you have a little tissue paper to spare.
More Suncatcher Crafts for Kids
I love the moment when the kids hold their suncatcher up to the window and all those little patches of color shine through. If yours are already asking to make another, try one of these suncatcher crafts for your next colorful window display.
- Butterfly Suncatcher Sticky Window
- Rainbow Sun Catcher Shadow Art
- Snowman Sun Catcher Craft
- Sun Suncatcher Craft with Free Printable Template
More Christmas Lights Crafts for Kids
There’s something so cheerful about a string of big, colorful Christmas bulbs, especially when the kids have made each light a little different. Keep that idea going with more Christmas lights crafts to make at home or in the classroom.
- Handprint Christmas Lights Craft
- Diy Paper Christmas Lights Diy Paper Christmas Lights Craft
- Fingerprint Christmas Lights Craft for Toddlers
- Sponge Painted Christmas Lights Wrapping Paper
If you know someone whose kitchen window could use a few homemade Christmas lights, share this craft with them or pin it to your Christmas crafts board to try with the kids later.
