Rainbow & Butterfly Suncatcher Craft (Made with Cardboard & Sunshine!)
This morning, I was out in the woods with my daughter, and like always, she wanted to take home a bunch of sticks. Honestly, she could start her own little branch collection at this point. But instead of stepping over another pile of nature treasures in the hallway, I thought… what if we actually made something with them?
That’s how we ended up making this rainbow & butterfly suncatcher craft — and turning those sticks into magical wands. (Or suncatchers-on-a-stick? Still figuring out the name.) Either way… they turned out SO cute.
We made a butterfly and a rainbow version, and watching the sunlight shine through them was just… dreamy. Lily couldn’t stop twirling them around in the sun.
If you’re looking for a fun, colorful craft that toddlers will absolutely love (and let’s be real, you might love it just as much), this one’s for you.
What You’ll Need for This Rainbow & Butterfly Suncatcher Craft:
- Cardboard (we used recycled box cardboard)
- Colored cellophane sheets or gift wrap
- Scissors (or a craft knife)
- Glue or double-sided tape
- A stick or twig (collected on your nature walk!)
- Pencil
- Optional: glitter, string, stickers, paint, etc.
Video Tutorial:
How to make them
1. Draw your shape
We chose a butterfly and a rainbow, but you can do anything — a star, a flower, even a fish. Draw the shape on a piece of cardboard. Make sure it’s big enough to cut out ‘windows’ inside it.
2. Cut out the shape + windows
Cut around your shape and then cut openings inside (these will be the “suncatcher” parts). A Stanley knife (craft knife) works best for the inside parts — just go slow and careful.
I didn’t have one at home, so you’ll see that I just used regular scissors. It totally worked, just takes a bit more patience.
3. Add the cellophane
Glue colored cellophane over the openings from the back. You can do one color or mix a bunch — totally up to you. I ordered mine from Amazon, but sometimes you can find colorful cellophane used for wrapping candy in stores too (I couldn’t find any this time, but it’s worth a look!).
4. Decorate (optional but fun)
Add glitter glue, stickers, or draw little patterns with a paint pen.
5. Attach the stick
Glue the cardboard shape to a sturdy stick. Let it dry completely before waving it around like a wand.
6. Go outside!
This is where the magic happens. Hold the suncatcher up to the sun and watch how the colors shine through. But the coolest part? The shadows. When the sun hits just right, you get the most beautiful colored butterfly or rainbow shadows on the ground. It seriously feels like a little art show in nature.
Why I love this craft:
- It’s low prep and uses things you probably already have
- It encourages outdoor time and creativity
- It’s great for toddlers, but also really calming and satisfying for adults (truly)
- The result is actually pretty enough to hang up somewhere
Variations to try:
- Make it seasonal: do autumn leaves, snowflakes, flowers, or a sun
- Add ribbon or string: to create trailing tails that flutter in the wind
Quick FAQ:
What if I don’t have cellophane?
Tissue paper works as a backup! It won’t give you that stained-glass glow, but it’ll still look adorable with light behind it.
What if I don’t have glue?
Double-sided tape works great. Or you can even use regular tape around the edges of the cellophane.
Is it safe for toddlers?
Yes, just help with the cutting parts. The rest is very toddler-hands-friendly.
How long does it take?
We did both shapes in about 30 minutes total. Add a few minutes more if you want to decorate.
These little suncatcher wands are so simple, but they really brought joy to our afternoon. I love love how the sunlight made the colors glow. Definitely going to make more for other seasons.
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