Sun Prints with Kids

We make sun prints in art camp every year. I was scrolling back through photos recently and wondered why I have never written about this very cool and exciting process on my blog? I think it’s because this is not a new thing and I never have done anything cool with the prints, like my friend Samara from Purple Twig does with her kids’ prints (here, here and here). But still… I at least need to share this project with you on the off-chance you’ve never done it before. So here I am, telling you to DO IT!! Your kids will not believe their eyes.

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Supplies needed to make Sun Prints with Kids:

~ Sun Print Paper

~ A tray or piece of cardboard bigger than the paper

~ Collected nature specimens from outside, or small found objects

~ Piece of glass plexiglass to lay on top of specimens (optional)

Step-by-step instructions to make Sun Prints:

1. The paper comes out a medium blue color. It is light sensitive so the minute you take it out of it’s package it starts to expose. We did not go into a dark room, but if you really want to take your time with your layout, you might want to do that. Put the paper on top of a tray or piece of cardboard. Then lay out your design.

2. We usually do this without putting a piece of glass or plexiglass on top. We just walk really slowly outside. The one time I did buy plexiglass sheets, it didn’t even work that well. The plexiglass is static-y so when you lay it on top it shifts the pieces which is frustrating. I’m sure there is a better way to lay it on top, but I like not using a cover with kids. Obviously you’ll want to do this on a day with no wind!

3. Be very careful when putting it down on the ground that nothing shifts. If you are in bright sun, the paper will start to expose and turn very quickly, so if leaves move then the image becomes blurry.

4. Time exposure is really fast in the sun. It took only about 5 minutes. You will see the paper turn white. Underneath the leaves the paper stays dark. If you are doing this on an overcast day, it could take up to half an hour. You want the paper to be as close to white as possible.

5. Bring the paper inside and immediately run it under water. This will wash off the chemicals and miraculously, the white paper will turn dark blue and the leaf  shapes will turn white. It’s bonkers how cool (and addictive) this is.

Hang up to dry and then you can frame it! I love the look of a whole bunch of these on a wall.

Here are some more brilliant Sun Print projects for you.

Some to do with your kids, and some just for YOU. It’s ok, you can do all of them yourself if you want 😉

Clockwise from top left:

1. Use feathers. I love this lone feather, it’s so artsy.

2. Artist Hanna Lamb makes cyanotypes of weeds of old postcards. Very inspiring.

3. Natalie from schaeresteipapier has got these sun prints all figured out. I love how these four pieces all flow into each other.

4. Martha Stewart uses light-sensitive solution on thick paper. Gorgeous! Love the browns.

5. Samara from Purple Twig uses mod podge and mounts her sun prints on wood. A lovely keepsake.

6. Natalie from schaeresteipapier does some more sun prints, and this time uses found objects. I love when she hangs the geometric and organic ones together. So satisfying.

7. Great idea from Design Sponge to cut the paper into smaller pieces and use them as place cards.

8. Did you know you can order cyanotype tea towels? Already covered with light-sensitive solution. These from Jungalow are gorgeous.

9. Purple Twig does it again, this time in the round.

10. These fabric wall hangings from Parents uses a special Inkodye that comes in different colors!

Enjoy! I hope you get to do some of these. I know I will.

xo Bar

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