Bring a little sunshine to your craft table with this cheerful sunny weather craft for kids! With its bright yellow rays, cool sunglasses and happy smile, this fun paper plate sun is perfect for summer crafting, weather themes and learning all about the seasons.
We’ve also got a free printable template to make this craft even easier. Kids can use the template pieces to create the sunglasses and facial details, helping everything come together without too much tricky drawing or cutting.
This is a lovely craft for preschoolers and younger school-aged children. It’s simple, colourful and full of personality, and kids can easily customise their sunshine with different expressions, colours and decorations.
Sunny Weather Craft
This happy sun craft is made using a paper plate, construction paper and a few basic craft supplies. The paper plate is cut into a spiky sun shape and painted bright yellow, then a smiling face is added to the centre.
Of course, the sunglasses are what really give this sun its cool summer look! The little pink cheeks add an extra cute finishing touch.
This craft would work brilliantly as part of a weather unit, a summer theme or a classroom display. You could even make several suns with different faces and expressions.
Materials You Will Need for your Sunny Weather Craft
You only need a few simple craft supplies to make your sunny weather craft:
- Paper plate
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Marker
- Yellow paint
- Paintbrush
- Printable sunny weather craft template
You can use regular craft paper or cardstock for the facial details. Cardstock is a good option if you want the sunglasses and other pieces to feel a little sturdier.
How to Make a Sunny Weather Paper Plate Craft
Ready to make your own cool and cheerful sunshine? Follow the simple step-by-step instructions below to put your sunny weather craft together using our printable template.
Paper plate sunshine
Make a bright and cheerful sunny weather craft with a paper plate, paint and our free printable template. This easy sun craft is perfect for summer and weather themes!
Materials
- Paper plate
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Marker
- Yellow paint
- Paintbrush
- Printable sunny weather craft template
Tools
- Printer for the template
Instructions
- Use the printable sun template to trace the pointed sun shape onto a paper plate. Cut around the shape carefully to create the sunshine rays.
- Paint the entire paper plate yellow, then set it aside to dry completely.
- Once the yellow paint is dry, use a black marker to outline the outside edges of the sun. This bold outline helps each of the sun rays stand out and gives the finished craft a fun cartoon-style look
- Print out the sunny weather craft template. Cut out the template pieces, then trace them onto the corresponding colours of construction paper.
Cut out each piece carefully. You will need the pieces for the sunglasses, cheeks and other facial details. - Cut a large circle from yellow construction paper for the sun’s face. Use a black marker to outline the outside edge of the circle.
Draw a happy curved smile near the bottom of the face - Now it’s time to give your sunny character some personality!
Glue the black sunglasses onto the face, then add the pink circles for the rosy cheeks. Make sure all of the pieces are securely attached.
Kids can also change the expression if they like. They could make a laughing sun, a sleepy sun or even a surprised sun. - Finally, glue the completed face onto the centre of the painted paper plate.
Your cool and cheerful sunny weather craft is complete!
Free Printable Sunny Weather Craft Template
To make this activity quick and easy to prepare, we have a printable template for you to use.
Simply print the template, cut out the pieces and use them to trace the shapes onto your chosen construction paper. This is especially helpful for creating the pointed sun shape and the sunglasses.
The template makes this a great activity for home, preschool, school or summer camp, as you can prepare several sets of pieces in advance.
Learning About Sunny Weather
This craft is a fun way to introduce a simple conversation about weather. Ask children what they notice on a sunny day. Does the sky look different? Does it feel warmer outside? What clothes do we wear when the weather is hot and sunny?
You can also talk about sun safety while you craft. The sunglasses on this cheerful sun are a great reminder to discuss wearing a sun hat, using sunscreen, drinking plenty of water and protecting our eyes on bright days.
More Ways to Use This Sunny Weather Craft
Once your sun is finished, there are lots of fun ways to use it. Add it to a weather display, hang it in a sunny window or use it to decorate a classroom for summer.
You could also make a whole set of weather crafts. Create a fluffy cloud, a rainbow, raindrops or a snowflake and use them together for a colourful weather-themed display.
For an extra creative twist, let each child design their own sunny face. Add different sunglasses, funny expressions, colourful cheeks or even a sun hat.
A Bright and Happy Summer Craft
This sunny weather paper plate craft is such a simple way to bring some cheerful colour into your day. Kids get to enjoy painting, cutting, tracing and gluing while creating a finished craft they can proudly display.
With the free printable template to help along the way, this is an easy summer activity to prepare whenever you need a little creative fun. Whether you’re learning about the weather or simply celebrating a beautiful sunny day, this happy sunshine craft is sure to brighten up your craft time!
More Sunshine Crafts
Keep the sunny fun going with even more bright and cheerful sunshine crafts for kids! These easy ideas are perfect for summer days, weather themes and adding a little extra colour to your craft time.
- Sun Suncatcher Craft with Free Printable Template
- Rocking Sun Craft with Free Printable Template
- Fine Motor Sun Craft to work on Number Matching
- DIY Sunglasses Craft With Free Printable Glasses Template
More Weather Crafts and Activities
From rainbows and clouds to rain, snow and sunshine, there are so many fun ways for kids to explore the weather through crafts and hands-on activities. Take a look at some more of our favourite weather-themed ideas to keep the learning and creativity going.
- Weather Activity Printables for Kindergarten
- Seasons Weather Sorting Activity with Foam Stickers
- Make an Anemometer: A Fun Beach School STEM Activity for Kids
- Cloud Identification Worksheets and Free Printable Cloud Spotter
- Paper Plate Cloud Craft for Kids
- Rainy Day Umbrella Craft
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