DIY Crayon Star Sun Catchers: Easy Craft for Kids & Adults

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April 11, 2025

Remember those rainy afternoons spent crafting, turning everyday items into something magical? There’s something so special about creating something beautiful with your own hands, especially when it brings a little extra sparkle into your home. Today, we’re diving into a craft that’s not only incredibly fun and easy but also brings a burst of color and light into any room: DIY Crayon Star Sun Catchers! They’re a fantastic way to reuse those leftover bits of crayons, and the result is simply enchanting.

Why You’ll Love Crayon Star Sun Catchers

Fast: You can whip up a batch of these in no time!
Easy: Perfect for little hands and big hands alike, with minimal mess.
Giftable: They make the most thoughtful, handmade gifts for teachers, friends, or family.
Crowd-pleasing: Whether it’s a rainy day activity or a party craft, everyone adores these colorful creations.

Ingredients

You really don’t need much for these, which makes them a perfect last-minute craft!

Old Crayons: The more colors, the merrier! This is the perfect excuse to finally use up those broken pieces.
Wax Paper: This is our magic ingredient that holds everything together and gives it that beautiful translucent quality.
Parchment Paper: To protect your baking tray and make cleanup a breeze.

How to Make Crayon Star Sun Catchers

Gather your supplies and let’s get crafting! It’s a simple process that yields wonderfully colorful results. If you love easy, colorful crafts, you might also enjoy our DIY Blue Suncatchers which use a similar technique!

Preheat Your Oven: Get your oven nice and warm by setting it to 200°F (93°C). This low temperature is perfect for melting crayons without burning them.
Prep Your Crayons: The first step is to remove those paper wrappers from your crayons. Then, break the crayons into small, manageable pieces. The smaller and more uniform the pieces, the more evenly they’ll melt. I like to sort my colors into piles for easier access.
Lay the Foundation: Take a sheet of wax paper and lay it flat on a baking tray. Make sure it covers the tray well.
Create Your Star: Now for the fun part! Arrange the broken crayon pieces on the wax paper in the shape of a star. You can make them as simple or as intricate as you like. Think about color combinations – vibrant rainbows, cool blues, or warm fiery reds!
Add the Second Layer: Carefully place another sheet of wax paper over your crayon arrangement. This creates a little crayon sandwich.
Melt Away: Pop the baking tray into the preheated oven. Let it bake for about 5-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it – you want the crayons to melt and fuse together, but not get overly bubbly or dark. Every oven is a little different, so start checking around the 5-minute mark.
Cool Down: Once the crayons are beautifully melted, carefully remove the tray from the oven. Let it sit undisturbed until it’s completely cool to the touch. Patience is key here; don’t try to rush the cooling process!
Peel and Reveal: Once cooled, gently peel off the top layer of wax paper. You should have a beautiful, colorful, melted crayon shape!
Cut Your Stars: Using scissors, carefully cut out the star shapes from the cooled wax paper. You can use the crayon outline as a guide, or freehand your stars if you’re feeling adventurous.
Hang and Enjoy: Find a sunny window and hang your new Crayon Star Sun Catchers! Watch as the light shines through, casting colorful patterns around your room. It’s like having a little piece of stained glass made from memories!

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling creative? You can absolutely customize these little beauties!

Shapes: Don’t feel limited to stars! Try hearts, circles, moons, or even simple abstract shapes.
Glitter: For extra sparkle, sprinkle a little fine glitter over the crayon pieces before adding the second layer of wax paper.
Outline: You can also draw a star shape on the wax paper first with a permanent marker to guide your crayon placement.
Hole for Hanging: Before the crayon melts completely or right after taking it out of the oven (while still slightly pliable), you can poke a small hole near the top with a toothpick or skewer to make hanging easier.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to make sure your sun catchers turn out perfectly:

Crayon Quality: While any crayon will work, slightly softer crayons tend to melt more evenly.
Even Pieces: Breaking the crayons into similar-sized pieces ensures an even melt.
Oven Monitoring: This is crucial! Over-melted crayons can become dark and lose their vibrant color.
Prep Ahead: You can break all your crayons and sort them by color beforehand, making the actual crafting process much quicker, especially if you’re doing this with a group.
Cooling is Key: Let them cool completely before peeling the wax paper to avoid cracking or smudging.

How to Store Crayon Star Sun Catchers

These sun catchers are best enjoyed when hung in a window. If you need to store them for a while, gently place them flat between sheets of parchment paper in a cool, dry place. They can be a bit delicate, so avoid stacking anything heavy on top of them. They should hold their shape and color for a long time!

FAQs

Are these safe for young children to make?

Yes, with adult supervision! The oven part definitely requires grown-up help, and children should be supervised when handling hot trays or scissors.

Can I use colored pencils instead of crayons?

While you can technically melt colored pencil shavings, the wax from crayons provides a better binding agent and creates a more vibrant, translucent effect.

My sun catchers melted unevenly. What did I do wrong?

This can happen if the crayon pieces are too large or if they’re not broken into roughly uniform sizes. Also, make sure your oven temperature is accurate and don’t leave them in for too long.

How do I hang them?

You can use clear fishing line, twine, or even suction cup hooks designed for windows. If you made a hole during the crafting process, it makes hanging super simple!

These Crayon Star Sun Catchers are such a delightful way to add a touch of handmade charm to your home. They’re a reminder that beauty can be found in the simplest things, and that creativity is a gift that keeps on giving. For more creative craft ideas and delicious recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!