While these watermelon sun catchers are a perfect summer activity, you can use the melted crayon stained glass idea all year round.
Author: Meaghan Mountford
Supplies
white paper plates7-inch round plates used here
craft paint in two shades of green
sponge
oldred crayons (2 to 3 per watermelon slice)
wax paper
parchment paper
iron
scissors
pencil
stapler
hole punch
string or ribbon
black paint marker
Instructions
To prepare the watermelon rind, fold a paper plate in half and cut out a semicircle around the edge. Cut the sponge in half. Use one sponge to paint the paper plate in the lighter green. Paint the entire plate, front and back (if you'd like to see the sun catcher from both sides), letting each side dry fully. Use the other piece of the sponge to dab darker green stripes on the plate. Let dry fully.
To prepare the red center, peel your red crayons. Create crayon shavings by using a pencil sharpener, crayon sharpener, or by finely chopping the crayons with a sharp knife. (This step is reserved for adults.)
For each watermelon slice, cut a piece of wax paper 8-inches by 8-inches, or, an inch larger than the diameter of the paper plate you are using. Fold the wax paper in half and unfold. Place the wax paper on a large piece of parchment paper, at least twice the size of the wax paper. Sprinkle red crayon shavings on half of the wax paper, all the way up to the fold line, leaving a one-inch border around the edge. Spread the shavings thinly for a more translucent look and more densely for a more opaque look.
Fold the wax paper over to cover the shavings. Place another large piece of parchment paper on top. Heat an iron on low, with no steam. Hold over the parchment paper to melt the crayons and smooth with the iron. (This is also an adult-only task.) Make sure the crayon has melted all the way up to the wax paper fold. NOTE: The crayon will most likely ooze out of the wax paper a bit, so it's very important to use the two large pieces of parchment paper to protect your iron and your work surface! Let the crayons and wax paper dry completely, about 15 minutes.
To assemble the sun catcher, place a melted crayon sheet in the folded paper plate. Use a pencil to trace the crayon sheet where to cut. (The pencil will surprisingly work well here.) Take out the slice, cut along the pencil line, re-insert into the paper plate, and secure with a staple. You should only need one staple.
To finish, punch a hole at the top and string some ribbon or string. Use a black paint marker to draw seeds. Hang in the window on a sunny day!