12 Amazing Sun Art Projects for Kids to Make This Summer

Harness the power of the sun for creative, hands-on learning with these exciting sun art projects for kids! 

Perfect for summer days, outdoor classrooms, or homeschool science and art lessons, sun-powered crafts are a fun way to combine creativity with STEM learning.

In this post, we’re sharing 12 sun art projects for kids that use sunlight to create beautiful and educational results.



There’s something magical about creating art with the help of sunshine.

Whether you’re soaking up the summer rays or bringing homeschool science out into the great outdoors, sun art projects offer a unique blend of creativity and learning.

These hands-on activities use sunlight as a tool for discovery, allowing kids to explore concepts like light, heat and UV rays in a fun and artistic way.

If you're looking for engaging ways to spark curiosity and imagination, these 12 sun-powered projects are the perfect place to start.

Want to come back to this on a sunny day? Pin it for later:



12 Amazing Sun Art Projects for Kids to Make This Summer

From solar prints and shadow tracing to nature-inspired sun prints, these activities encourage kids to explore light, shadow and the natural world in a playful and artistic way.

Whether you’re looking for easy solar crafts for kids, sunshine art projects, or STEM-inspired summer activities, these ideas are sure to brighten your learning days - literally!

Let’s get outside and get creative with the power of the sun!


Explore how sunlight reflects and refracts through a CD to create mesmerizing rainbow patterns, combining art and science in a fun visual experiment.





Dive into the classic cyanotype process to make stunning blue sun prints using photosensitive cyantotype paper and everyday objects.




Create beautiful sun prints by placing objects on special paper and letting the sun naturally develop the image through UV exposure.




Harness the sun’s heat to melt crayons into vibrant, swirling masterpieces - perfect for a sunny day STEAM project.




Learn how to use sunlight to make permanent prints on fabric, combining creativity with chemistry in a fabric-based sun art experiment.




Watch the sun melt colorful crayons into bright art pieces, giving kids a hands-on way to see heat energy in action.




Discover how to make sun-powered artwork by arranging objects on special paper and letting the sun reveal unique patterns.

Use construction paper and sunshine to create easy DIY sun prints that teach kids about light and shadow.

Mix science and art by creating silhouette-style sun prints with construction paper and the sun’s natural bleaching power.




Combine play and science as kids use sunlight to create striking prints on sun-sensitive paper with everyday objects.




Paint with sunscreen to explore how it blocks UV rays, then watch as the sun reveals the hidden designs - part art, part UV science.




Dive into sunography with light-sensitive paper and natural sunlight to craft beautiful photographic-style prints.

This would be an amazing introduction to a unit study on the history of photography.




Engage kids in a STEM activity that lets them experiment with shapes, light, and shadow to create stunning sun-powered prints with coins.




Not strictly an art project but I couldn't resist including this one - what could be better than combining STEM science, fun and food?!

Explore solar energy by building a solar oven that uses sunlight to melt treats like s’mores, turning science into a tasty experiment.



From vivid crayon melts to intricate cyanotypes and playful shadow prints, these sun art projects make science come alive through creativity.

They’re easy to set up, require minimal supplies, and encourage kids to experiment, observe, and express themselves - all while getting outdoors and soaking up some sunshine.

So the next time the sun is shining, grab some paper, gather a few everyday objects, and head outdoors for some solar-powered fun.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or homeschooler, these sun-inspired activities are sure to light up your lessons and create memories that shine long after the sun goes down.


More summer crafts:


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