Create and Connect Tip of the Month

The holidays and winter season are a great time to teach your child about the act and importance of giving. Making presents for family members and friends is a simple and meaningful way for families to connect and create together! Here is a simple and beautiful project appropriate for children ages 2 and up that can be enjoyed all year round.

Nature Collage Sun Catcher

Materials Needed:
- 1 embroidery hoop (these inexpensive hoops make fantastic reusable frames for all kinds of art projects and can be purchased online or at craft stores)
- Clear contact paper
- Natural materials (flower petals, small leaves, pine needles, etc.), dried for several days
- Small piece of string or ribbon

Instructions:
- Peel off protective paper on half of your sheet of contact paper and lay contact paper out on table
- Place hoop on top of clear paper, and encourage child to stick leaves and petals down inside the hoop, arranging them however they would like.
- Remove hoop and carefully double over the contact paper so the leaves and flowers are sandwiched in between two layers of the paper.
- Remove inner circle from the embroidery hoop and stretch the contact paper over the frame, tightening the screws so the paper is stretched tightly over the circle.
- Attach a small piece of ribbon to the screw and hang from a sunny window (or give as a gift.) Enjoy your sun catcher all year long!