Inspired by St.Patrick’s day and one of it’s symbols, we decided to add a little luck to our lives and craft shamrock suncatcher from a plastic bag and other things we found at home.
With today’s activity we are calling for Spring to come sooner and hopefully, luck will serve us!
Materials for crafting plastic bag shamrock suncatcher
Things we used for our shamrock suncatcher:
- thin green plastic bag (from recycle bin)
- t-shirt inserts (from recycle bin)
- black poster paint and brush
- glue
As you can see, a list of items we used includes items pretty much anyone has at home so it’s easy to gather these things and get started right now!
Shamrock template
We have used one sheet of printer paper to make shamrock template. To make shamrock template, start with square piece of paper, fold it in half and then once more to get square again, than fold to get triangle and cut heart shapes 2 times, one for outside and one for inside. You should get something similar to a template on picture:
As you will see later on, we didn’t manage to complete this craft in a single day. And, it’s OK. Enjoy the process and have fun spending time crafting with kids!
Making Shamrock Suncatcher
- Making Shamrock Suncatcher Frame. The first step is to trace shamrock template on cardboard insert and to cut it out. Do this 2 times for front and back of the shamrock. If you’re doing this activity with a toddler, like I did, this is something parents should prepare in advance. Older kids with good scissor skills can at least cut outside of the shamrock.
If you’re doing this activity with a toddler, like I did, this is something parents should prepare in advance. Older kids with good scissor skills can at least cut outside of the shamrock.
- Painting Shamrock Suncatcher Frame. Next you’ll paint a frame for your shamrock suncatcher. We painted it black, but you can choose to paint it green if you prefer to have it all green.
We have waited quite some time for our paint to dry. To be completely honest, by the time it was dry, there was dark outside! Guess we’ll hang it on a window tomorrow to see how it looks on a daily light.
- Gluing Shamrock Suncatcher. When it’s dry, place one black frame on the bottom, painted side should face surface. Apply glue over it and place a green plastic bag over, then apply glue on second frame and place over a plastic bag.
This is also where my toddler assisted, she loves anything that involves glue!
- Cut Extra Plastic. The last step would be to cut out extra pieces of a plastic bag from outside of the frame.
- Hang Shamrock Suncatcher. Make a hole on one side, add some kind of ribbon and hang over the window! Lovely way to get something beautiful from things from our recycle bin!
Extend the Play with a Book
Four-leaf clovers and adorable leprechauns are on the run in You’re My Little Lucky Charm, a rhyming story about the magic and fun of St. Patrick’s Day that celebrates the special bond between a parent and child. Each spread of this board book includes a sweet and rhyming proclamation along with a textured object that jumps off the page and makes the story come alive for little hands and growing minds. Find the book here: United States | Canada | United Kingdom
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and Elmo wants everyone on Sesame Street to celebrate. There’s a yummy meal of corned beef and cabbage, some high-kicking Irish step dancing, a fun holiday parade, and even a search for a leprechaun! Boys and girls ages 2 to 5 will enjoy this introduction to St. Patrick’s Day, starring their favorite Sesame Street characters, including Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, Julia, Abby, and Big Bird. Find the book here: United States | Canada | United Kingdom
Today’s post is part of 60 Day Junk Play Challenge and we had as material prompt today PLASTIC BAGS.
To read more about Junk Play Challenge and get involved upcycling your trash for play, stop by our 60 Day Junk Play Challenge page.
What Else Can You Do on St.Patrick’s Day?
Choose one, or more, of these activities:
- Free St.Patrick’s Day Printable Pack for Preschoolers – free printable to work on math, writing and have fun coloring!
- 33 Rainbow Sensory Play Ideas for Toddlers and Older Kids – rainbows are connected to “April showers” and St.Patrick’s day and they are always children’s favorite!
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