This is a magical botanical winter craft to create at home with your child!
These ice suncatchers are pure magic.
One of my favorite things about art is how compatible it is with other subjects. Integrating art into other subjects increases student engagement, improves critical thinking skills, and prepares children for real life because it more accurately depicts real scenarios (subjects are not always separated in adult life).
Not to mention, “doubling up” subjects within a single lesson or project helps homeschooling parents address all the instructional expectations required of them (doesn’t it feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to teach everything you are supposed to?).
We used this project to introduce the scientific states of matter (that water can change from a liquid form to a solid form) and what plants are native to Minnesota during the winter season.
Here’s how we made these ice suncatchers.
Supplies:
- Botanicals from outdoors (such as pine needles, sticks, or leaves)
- Paper plate or shallow paper bowl
- Water
- A piece of string, 6-8 inches in length
Directions:
- Arrange your natural botanicals in the shallow paper bowl or plate.
- Fill your bowl or plate with water.
- Set the ends of your string in the water, creating a loop that will hang your suncatchers.
- Set your bowl of water outside (if it is below freezing) or in the freezer.
- When the water has frozen solid, remove it from the bowl or plate.
- Hang ice catchers wherever you please.
Interested in another winter activity to do at home? Check out this free printable winter art game here. ⠀
Needing a version of this project that is suited for warmer weather? Try out these Botanical Suncatchers (made with paper plates and contact paper).
