Apple Sun Catcher Craft with Free Template

This apple sun catcher craft is one of my favorite crafts to start the season with. I love including apples as one of my September themes, and when this craft is complete – it looks great up on our classroom windows!

In this blog post you’ll find instructions with accompanying photos of how you can make this craft with your students along with a free template for you to download to make your own apple sun catcher craft too.

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Materials Needed

Apple template (download link at the bottom of this post.)
Glue stick.
Scissors.
Black card.
Printer and paper.
Red and green crepe paper.
Laminating sheet.
Laminator.

Instructions

Print out one copy of the apple template. (Download link below.)
Cut around the apple template.
Place the cut out apple template on top of black card and draw around it. Do this for however many crafts you are going to make. Each student will have one.
Cut out around the apple, then cut out around the inside of the apple leaving a border. I also like to cut out around the inside of the leaf to decorate that too.
Stick the border of the apple onto a laminating sheet.
Rip up pieces of crepe paper.
Add some glue to the inside of the apple and stick the ripped up pieces of crepe paper here.
Put through the laminator.
Once laminated, cut around the apple and then hang it up on your window!

Photos

Apple Sun Catcher Craft with Free Template

Learning Benefits of This Craft

This craft may look simple, but it’s packed with learning opportunities, especially for students working on developmental and fine motor goals. Here are just a few skills this activity helps to support:

Fine motor development – Tearing tissue paper, peeling backing, and placing pieces onto the sticky surface are all great for building finger strength and coordination.
Hand–eye coordination – Students practice visually targeting where they want to place each piece.
Colour recognition – You can encourage students to choose specific colours (e.g. “Find all the red pieces!”) or even sort them beforehand.
Following instructions – Whether you’re modelling step-by-step or using visual supports, this activity encourages students to follow a sequence of actions.
Sensory engagement – Many students enjoy the textures involved: the crinkly tissue paper, smooth laminating sheet or contact paper, and sticky surface.

Classroom or Home Setup Tips

This activity is low-prep, but a few small adjustments can help make it even more successful in different settings:

Pre-cut the apple shapes and tissue paper for students who need extra support or are working on visual-motor tasks rather than scissor skills.
Offer colour or decoration choices so students can personalise their sun catcher – you might offer a red apple, green apple, or even a rainbow version!
Use visuals: A simple step-by-step visual instruction strip can make this activity more accessible for non-readers or students who benefit from visual schedules.
Laminate for durability: You can even create reusable versions with laminated apples and Velcro tissue paper pieces.
Pair with a calm-down corner: The repetitive, tactile nature of this craft makes it a great option for regulation stations or quiet time activities.

Alternative Materials or Adaptations

If you don’t have all the materials on hand, or want to make it more sensory-friendly, here are some quick swaps:

Coloured cellophane or even sweet wrappers work beautifully in place of tissue paper for a shinier look.
Watercolour paints can be used on coffee filters to create a similar stained-glass effect.
No contact paper? You can laminate the apple outline and use glue sticks or create a cut-out version with a clear plastic wallet or recycled ziplock bag inside.
For learners with tactile sensitivities, allow them to direct where items should go while a peer or adult helps place them.
Switch it up with different shapes (e.g. pumpkin, leaf, or heart) using the same method to create sun catchers for different seasons or themes.

Display Ideas

One of the best things about this craft is how stunning it looks when finished, especially in the sunlight! Here are a few fun and easy display options:

Classroom window orchard – Hang all the sun catchers together on a large window to create an autumn-themed display that beams with colour.
Paper tree mural – Use brown craft paper to make a tree trunk and branches on your wall or bulletin board. Attach the apples using Blu Tack or velcro dots.
Individual take-home gifts – Send each student’s sun catcher home in a folder or clear sleeve, or tie it with ribbon and a note as a surprise gift for families.
Ceiling display – Hang the apples from string or fishing line in front of windows or lights, they catch and reflect light beautifully.

Download Link

Click here to download the apple sun catcher craft template for free.

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If you’re looking to extend your apple-themed learning beyond crafts, these fun apple science experiments with free worksheets are a great way to explore simple science concepts while keeping the theme going strong.

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Nikki