simple summer suns

We make suns every summer, right around the Summer Solstice.
I love the sun, so this is an activity I enjoy as much as (and sometimes more than) the children.
This is a super easy, fun, and magical craft to celebrate the summer sun, simply.

​Painting suns started one year when I realized we could paint the wrappers in between these tortillas, and we had ready-made suns. You can also use coffee filters.

This year, we used white paper and traced circles.
I'll share the extended version of that activity below.
If it's helpful to follow my directions step-by-step, wonderful.
But often the best art magic happens with the spontaneous material and creative ideas from your own home.
And if you aren't a crafter, have no fear--- this is very straight-forward.

Have fun making simple summer suns.
And with all crafting with children, it is usually best to go over any instructions (like paint stays on the paper) before you begin and many times during the activity.
Also, it's summer so craft outside as much as you can, if that makes clean-up easier.
​ As a final reminder: let go of the outcome. The best art is about the process, not the product.

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How to Make Simple Summer Suns

1) Gather white paper, pencil, and scissors.

(Optional addition: Talk about the sun: what you love about it or what you're thankful for about the sun. If age appropriate, ask what shape the sun is.

Optional addition: Go on a hunt around the house or yard for all the circles you can spot. Locate a bowl or other round object you can trace for the sun.)

2) Work with your child to trace and cut out your suns--- or cut them out ahead of time, if that's easier.

At this point, you could pause and return to the activity at a different point in time, or even another day. I personally like to extend our art projects out over time- total personal preference.

3) Paint your suns! If you only want your child to use sun colors, only place those colors out as an option. Water colors are the least messy paints to use, and my favorite for the white paper. (If you're using the tortilla wrappers or the coffee filters, try tempera. ) Listen for your child's creative observations about the way the colors combine or what they remind her/him of.
Let your suns dry in the sun. Sweet huh?

Optional: This year we took our suns, and strung them in a sun mobile along with our suns from last year (group photo above is last year's sun making).

Have fun making simple, summer suns- and in your family's creativity, inspiration, and simple summer magic.