Paper Plate Sun Painting for Kids

Learn about the sun while practicing important fine motor skills with this Paper Plate Sun Painting for Kids! You’re definitely going to want to check it out! 

Your kiddos will love making their very own bright and colorful paper plate sun craft while learning all about space! This Paper Plate Sun Painting for Kids is perfect for exploring color mixing and primary versus secondary colors.

collage of Sun Colors Painting for Kids images with text: Sun Colors Process Art for Little Kids
March is all about Space & Sky and this week we’re learning about stars, the sun and moon, comets, and even astronomers.

child painting paper plate with red and orange paint
child painting paper plate using orange and yellow paint
The sun is a star. All planets rotate around the sun. You shouldn’t look at the sun because its light can hurt your eyes.

child making sun colors process art with paint and paper plate
When I first looked at this month’s theme, I fell in love with the adorable invitation to create activities and today’s Sun Painting for Kids is no exception!

preschooler making sun process art with paint and paper plate
child painting sun on paper plate using red and orange paint
Sun Painting for Kids

What you’ll need

  • Inspiration Photo
  • Paper Plate
  • Paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Scissors

preschooler painting on paper plate to make sun craftHere’s how to do it

Discuss

  • What color is the sun?
  • Did you know the sun is actually white but shows all the colors of the rainbow?

Create

  • What color do you want to make your sun?
  • What happens when colors like yellow and red mix together?
  • Snip around the edges of the paper plate to make sun rays.
  • Invite children to describe how they imagine the real sun looks.

Observe

  • Did the child use the materials and tools to create art?
  • Did he or she hold the scissors and snip around the plate without help?

child painting paper plate to make sun craft
child painting edge of paper plate with orange paint
This Sun Painting for Kids was the perfect opportunity to explore color mixing and primary versus secondary colors.

child painting paper plate sun using red paint
We talked about which colors were primary colors (red and yellow) and what color we get when we mix them together (orange).

child making paper plate sun with paint
child making paper plate sun craft using paint
Each week’s Teacher Guide includes a circle time discussion and today the little guy and I focused on the following questions:

  • How hot is the sun?
  • Did you know the sun is a big star?
  • What do you think would happen if you touched the sun?

paper plate sun craft using red, orange, and yellow paint
I love that this curriculum includes so much that I can do with not only my preschooler, but also my first grader.

child's paper plate sun craft
This homeschool year has meant using the monthly thematic units as our curriculum framework and of course adjusting as needed.

The little guy and baby girl love to explore each day’s topic with a huge stack of picture books!

preschooler's paper plate sun craft

And of course, I love that play dough, sensory bins, and even process art are perfect for keeping little hands busy during read alouds!

collage of Sun Colors Painting for Kids images with text: Paper Plate Sun Process Art for Little Kids