{Touch and Feel} Spring Suncatchers

We love making suncatchers!

Whether it is a simple melted pony bead suncatcher or one that can help you learn your name, we use every excuse to put suncatchers in our window.  This time, we made a suncatcher that was not only gorgeous in the light, but also a sensory experience for my kids as well…

Today, is another post for the Light & Reflection Series.  The series is all about ways to learn with light.  Our theme for April is Springtime and we made touch and feel spring suncatchers!

What You’ll Need for Spring Suncatchers

• Natural Materials – flowers, leaves, grass, etc.
• Aloe Vera Gel
• Larger Zip Lock Bag
• Painter’s Tape

Before we made the suncatcher, my one-year-old and I went on a nature hunt.

He was happily snuggled in the sling as we walked and talked about what we saw.  He pointed to flowers as I picked them.  I talked about the colors we saw while asking if he wanted to touch them.

Note: Talking out loud to babies is a way to build receptive language or, the words and phrases that they can understand, but can’t say yet.  The words they can say or express is called expressive language.

When we got home, my son helped me to assemble the spring suncatcher!

How to Make Spring Suncatchers

1. Put half a bottle (or more) of Aloe Vera Gel into a large zip lock bag
2. Add the natural materials
3. Press all of the air out of the bag before sealing
4. Tape the nature suncatcher into the window with painter’s tape

Note: You may need several layers of painter’s tape to hold up the suncatcher

This activity was amazing for my one-year-old because he was apart of every step: he went on the nature hunt, assembled the spring suncatcher, and then celebrated (by dancing) when we put it in the window.

I asked him, “Are those the flowers we picked together outside?” And, he nodded, “Yes,” vigorously as he touched the flowers in the window.  It was such a dynamic experience for him!

If you loved this activity, be sure to see the other Springtime posts in the series today:

Spring Mirror Drawings from And Next Comes L

Spring Light Table Sensory Bin from Where Imagination Grows

Easter Eggs on the Light Table from Still Playing School

And, follow along on our Light & Reflections Pinterest Board so you don’t miss any posts!