Summer is finally here! While days spent at the beach, the springs, or just playing in the backyard are great, Florida’s summers tend to be quite hot, meaning that outdoor plans don’t always work out — you and your children may get stuck indoors. But don’t worry, because these fun, simple crafts are perfect for some sunny education on hot summer days!
Create a Paper Plate Sundial
To teach your children about old-fashioned clocks, you need a paper plate, craft stick, ruler, hot glue gun, and markers. First, use your favorite colored markers to draw and color an image on the plate. This will be the clock’s background. Then, use the ruler to find the exact center of the plate and mark it with an X. Use the hot glue gun to glue the craft stick vertically to the X — make sure to hold the craft stick still for a good 30 seconds to guarantee it’ll stay. Finally, mark the hours 1 through 12 on the rim of the plate. Place it in the sun and enjoy your handmade sundial!
Use the Sun to Paint Pictures
If you told your children that the sun can paint pictures, would they believe it? You can show them yourself! Gather a few small, plastic items that won’t fly away easily in the wind, such as toys, cookie cutters, or plastic scissors. Tape a piece of black construction paper onto a baking pan, then arrange the items onto the paper. Help your child mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with ½ cup of water and spray it onto the items. Place the pan in direct sunlight, then return a few hours later to remove the items from the paper — your child will be excited to find that the sun has created a bleached shadow of the items!
Trace Pictures with Shadows
You and your child can try this new way to create outlines for drawings. Collect a few small toys that would cast a fun shadow, then set them in the sun. Place a white sheet of paper in line with the shadow, then use a crayon or marker to trace the outline of the shadow. Now, use your favorite colors to fill in the shadow outline!
Here at St. Charles Borromeo, we hope that you and your children enjoy your summer — and these crafts! And if you’re getting ready to enroll your child in an Orlando private school in the fall, consider visiting us. We balance both faith and education in our curriculum to give children the foundation they need to grow into responsible, reliable adults.
