A melted bead suncatcher is such a fun way to celebrate the return of lots of sunshine and warm weather. This easy family craft uses pony beads to create colorful light catching craft that is an instant pick-me-up when seen hanging! Kids of all ages with some help from adults will love this craft. Plus, this kid-friendly craft is made on your grill outside, in the sunshine!
DIY Melted Bead Suncatcher
Suncatchers are reflective, refractive and sometimes iridescent decorative ornaments that can be hung in the window (or near a window) to catch the light. I like that a dreary day can be brightened by a colorful suncatcher.
Related: Perler beads ideas for kids
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Supplies Needed to Make a Beaded Suncatcher Craft
Directions to Make a Beaded Suncatcher Craft
Step 1
Use the aluminum foil to line your baking pan. This makes it much easier to remove the suncatcher when finished, and helps keep your pan from getting damaged.
Step 2
Arrange the beads in the pan so that they are flat on their side. We made a rainbow pattern for one suncatcher, and then just added the beads randomly for the other.
There are so many possibilities!
Step 3
Once the beads are arranged, place the pan on the rack of your grill outside. Heat on high for five minutes, then check it. It will be ready once all the beads have melted, but you don’t want to let it sit too long.
Step 4
When all the beads have melted, remove it from the heat and allow to cool completely. Lift the foil out of the pan and peel it away from your suncatcher.
Step 5
Drill a hole in the top, loop through string or wire and hang it from your window!
Prep Time
10 minutes
Active Time
5 minutes
Total Time
15 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Cost
$5
Tools
- round baking pan
- aluminum foil
- outdoor grill
- drill or something hot to poke through
- hanging thread or wire
- hook
Instructions
- Line baking pan with foil.
- Arrange pony beads flat and in the desired pattern.
- Place pan on grill rack and heat on high for 5 minutes.
- Continue watching if all beads are not melted in 5 minutes, but be careful not to leave too long.
- Remove from heat.
- After cool, lift foil from pan.
- Drill or heat a hole for the string.
- Hang in the window!
Is Heating Pony Beads Toxic?
The internet is a little mixed on whether heating pony beads is toxic. When you melt them in the oven or toaster oven, you will get a strong toxic-like plastic smell. It is one of the reasons why we really like doing this outside with good ventilation so any fumes coming off the pony bead melting process are not stuck in your house.
More Suncatcher Crafts & Fun from Kids Activities Blog
Tell us how your DIY suncatchers with beads turned out!
