Watermelon suncatchers are a fun summer craft kids can make with adults. This suncatcher is made from paper plates, paint, and… melted crayons!

watermelon suncatcher

Gather up your old red crayons, because you’ll need a few to create the stained glass effect for this watermelon suncatcher. The rind is simply made from paper plates and paint. Here, I chose small paper plates, but you can use any size you have available and adjust the measurements.

If you’re all about watermelon right now, be sure to check out these fun and easy watermelon slice and bake cookies! And if you find a few too many crayons, here’s a roundup of 20 crayon crafts.

you will need:

• white paper plates (7-inch round plates used here)
• craft paint in two shades of green
• sponge
• old, red crayons (2 to 3 per watermelon slice)
• wax paper
• parchment paper
• iron
• scissors
• pencil
• stapler
• hole punch
• string or ribbon
• black paint marker

what to do 

To prepare the watermelon rind, fold a paper plate in half and cut out a semicircle around the edge. Cut the sponge in half. Use one sponge to paint the paper plate in the lighter green.

Paint the entire plate, front and back (if you’d like to see the sun catcher from both sides), letting each side dry fully. Use the other piece of the sponge to dab darker green stripes on the plate. Let dry fully.

To prepare the red center, peel your red crayons. Create crayon shavings by using a pencil sharpener, crayon sharpener, or by finely chopping the crayons with a sharp knife. (This step is reserved for adults.)

For each watermelon slice, cut a piece of wax paper 8-inches by 8-inches, or, an inch larger than the diameter of the paper plate you are using.

Fold the wax paper in half and unfold.

Place the wax paper on a large piece of parchment paper, at least twice the size of the wax paper.

Sprinkle red crayon shavings on half of the wax paper, all the way up to the fold line, leaving a one-inch border around the edge.

Spread the shavings thinly for a more translucent look and more densely for a more opaque look.

Fold the wax paper over to cover the shavings. Place another large piece of parchment paper on top.

Heat an iron on low, with no steam. Hold over the parchment paper to melt the crayons and smooth with the iron. (This is also an adult-only task.) Make sure the crayon has melted all the way up to the wax paper fold.

NOTE: The crayon will most likely ooze out of the wax paper a bit, so it’s very important to use the two large pieces of parchment paper to protect your iron and your work surface! Let the crayons and wax paper dry completely, about 15 minutes.

To assemble the sun catcher, place a melted crayon sheet in the folded paper plate. Use a pencil to trace the crayon sheet where to cut.

(The pencil will surprisingly work well here.)

Take out the slice, cut along the pencil line, re-insert into the paper plate, and secure with a staple. You should only need one staple.

To finish, punch a hole at the top and string some ribbon or string. Use a black paint marker to draw seeds. Hang in the window on a sunny day!

While this watermelon suncatcher is a perfect summer activity, you can use the melted crayon stained glass idea all year round. Use different colors and cut out any shape you like. 

watermelon suncatcher

Print

Materials

• white paper plates (7-inch round plates used here)
• craft paint in two shades of green
• sponge
• old, red crayons (2 to 3 per watermelon slice)
• wax paper
• parchment paper
• iron
• scissors
• pencil
• stapler
• hole punch
• string or ribbon
• black paint marker

Instructions

1. For the watermelon rind, fold a paper plate in half and cut out a semicircle around the edge. To paint, cut the sponge in half and use one half to sponge paint the paper plate with the lighter green. (Paint front and back if you’d like to see it from both sides). Let each side dry fully. Use the other sponge half to dab darker green stripes on the plate. Let dry.
2.  Next, peel red crayons. Use a pencil or crayon sharpener to create crayon shavings, or finely chop the crayons with a sharp knife. (Adults only for this step.)
3. For each watermelon slice, cut a piece of wax paper 8-inches by 8-inches, or, an inch larger than the diameter of the paper plate you are using. Fold the wax paper in half and unfold. Place the wax paper on a large piece of parchment paper, at least twice the size of the wax paper. Sprinkle red crayon shavings on half of the wax paper, all the way up to the fold line, leaving a one-inch border around the edge. Spread the shavings thinly for a more translucent look and more densely for a more opaque look. Fold the wax paper over to cover the shavings. Place another large piece of parchment paper on top. Heat an iron on low, with no steam. Hold over the parchment paper to melt the crayons and smooth with the iron. (This is also an adult-only task.) Make sure the crayon has melted all the way up to the wax paper fold. NOTE: The crayon will most likely ooze out of the wax paper a bit, so it's very important to use the two large pieces of parchment paper to protect your iron and your work surface! Let the crayons and wax paper dry completely, about 15 minutes.
4. To assemble the sun catcher, place a melted crayon sheet in the folded paper plate. Use a pencil to trace the crayon sheet where to cut. (The pencil will surprisingly work well here.) Take out the slice, cut along the pencil line, re-insert into the paper plate, and secure with a staple. You should only need one staple.
5. To finish, punch a hole at the top and string some ribbon or string. Use a black paint marker to draw seeds. Hang in the window on a sunny day!

Did you make this project?

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