A sun craft is a fun way for kids to welcome spring and summer. This painting activity uses corrugated cardboard and craft sticks to make a bright morning sun that will help you rise-and-shine with a smile!

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Kids jump at the chance to paint on anything and everything! This might include cardboard boxes, foam trays, aluminum foil, or wrapping paper!

One of the most rewarding results of arts and crafts for grownups is seeing kids get hands-on and creative with everyday materials. Budding artists don't need expensive brushes, special art paper, or a paint easel to enjoy painting activities.

Related: Painting and Drawing on Cardboard

This sun craft uses basic supplies - cardboard and craft sticks and a bit of glue. It's a simple activity that encourages kids to create with no-frills, no special materials. (Sometimes the simplest activities have amazing play-and-learn opportunities.)

Summer sun cardboard craft

Our instructions for this craft provide options that will allow flexibility for you and your child to complete the bright sun. 

Provide the materials and guide kids along as they choose how to make the sun craft.

• Kids exercise fine motor and creative skills as they design their sun.
  
  
• Kids build language skills as they engage in conversation about the sun, the weather, or other topics that might be introduced as they work.

Materials list

• cardboard

• yellow paint
  
  
• paint brush
  
  
• wooden sticks   

Instructions for making a sun craft

1. Cut a 7 inch (18 cm) diameter circle from corrugated cardboard.

2. Paint the circle and craft sticks with yellow paint. I only had yellow finger paint which may not give as bright a coating as other types of kids paint. But it did lead to actually finger painting the sun instead of using a brush!

3. Shake paper confetti or gold glitter over the paint while it is still wet.

We used 10 craft sticks but you can use more or less. If you don't have coffee stir sticks or craft sticks, you can use other recycled options such as broken clothespins or sticks from frozen treats.

4. When the paint is dry, turn the sun over and glue the 'rays' of the sun to the cardboard. Allow the glue to set to make sure the sticks stay in place. You can tape the sticks in place to secure if preferred.

5. Poke a hole in the edge and insert a loop made with string or yarn for a hanger.

Here's another option for this sun craft.

Cut a circle from yellow construction paper and glue it to cardboard.

Spread glue over the paper.

Sprinkle confetti made with gold or silver foil to make the sun sparkle. (You can also use glitter glue to produce the sparkly effect.)

This bright yellow sun craft engages fine motor skills and counting skills as well as creativity and language skills.

The activity can be added to a seasonal or science (planets) theme.  

Display your bright glittering sun in the classroom, or hang it so it is visible when your preschooler wakes, in the morning or after a nap.

Would you like to add some twinkling eyes and a grin to this sun? It will be sure to put a smile on your faces!

Follow our Crafts board on Pinterest for more hands-on activities.

More sun crafts!  20 Fun and Easy Sun Crafts / Look We're Learning