DIY Swirly Glue Heart Suncatchers
A Simple Craft That Shines in the Sun
Looking for a fun and easy craft to do with your kids? These swirly glue heart suncatchers are the perfect weekend or rainy-day activity! All you need is clear glue, some food coloring, and a little bit of patience while they dry.
Once finished, these hearts glow beautifully in the sun and make lovely decorations for windows, doors, or even gifts for friends and family.
Best for: Ages 4+ (with adult help for steps like poking holes)
Time Needed: 20 minutes to make, 3–4 days to dry
What You’ll Need:
Clear school glue (like Elmer’s Clear)
- Food coloring or liquid watercolors (your favorite colors!)
- Toothpicks or wooden skewers (for swirling)
- Plastic lids from yogurt or sour cream containers
OR a plate covered with wax paper - Heart-shaped cookie cutters (optional)
- Twine or ribbon (for hanging)
- Beads (optional – for extra sparkle)
- Toothpick, skewer, or sharp pencil (to make a small hole)
Tip: Cover your table with newspaper or a tray before you begin—this makes cleanup easier.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Set Up Your Hearts
Place a cookie cutter on top of a plastic lid or wax paper. This helps shape your heart neatly. No cutter? No problem! You can cut the shape later with scissors.
2. Pour the Glue
Squeeze a layer of clear glue into the heart shape—about ¼ inch thick. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect!
3. Drop in the Colors
Add a few tiny drops of food coloring—2 or 3 colors is great. A little goes a long way!
4. Swirl It Up!
Use a toothpick or skewer to gently swirl the colors around. Don’t stir too much—just a little swirling gives that beautiful tie-dye look.
5. Let It Dry (This Is the Hardest Part!)
Now let your glue heart sit somewhere flat and safe. It takes 3–4 full days to dry. First it will look cloudy, then it will turn clear and firm. That means it’s ready!
Drying Progress:
- Day 1: Still wet and gooey
- Day 2–3: Getting thicker and more solid
- Day 4: Clear, firm, and ready to peel!
6. Peel and Trim
Gently peel the heart out of the mold or off the wax paper. If the edges are a little uneven, just trim them with scissors.
7. Make a Hole for Hanging
Use a toothpick, skewer, or sharp pencil to poke a small hole near the top. Grownups should help with this part.
8. Add String (And Beads, If You Want!)
Thread twine or ribbon through the hole and tie it into a loop. You can also add a few colorful beads for extra shine!
Fun Variations to Try:
- Add Glitter before swirling for sparkle
- Use glow-in-the-dark glue for nighttime fun
- Create rainbow hearts by using all 6 classic colors
- Try mini hearts using smaller cutters or lids
- Holiday themes: Red and pink for Valentine’s, pastels for spring, or green/gold for St. Patrick’s Day!
Want more fun crafts? Try our CD Suncatcher DIY or Glue Galaxy Suncatcher!
Quick Tips for Success
- Use bright food coloring—they dry a little lighter than they look when wet
- Don’t move your heart until it’s fully dry
- If it sticks to the lid, gently loosen it with your fingers or a butter knife
- Clean up any spills with warm, soapy water
FAQ – For Curious Parents
Can I use white glue instead of clear?
White glue works, but your heart won’t be see-through. Use clear glue for the best light-catching effect.
What age is this good for?
Ages 4 and up with help. Older kids can do most of it on their own!
Can we hang these outside?
They’re best indoors or on a covered porch so rain or humidity doesn’t damage them.
What if we don’t have cookie cutters?
No worries! You can pour glue directly onto a flat lid and cut the heart shape later with scissors.
Final Thoughts
Crafting these glue heart suncatchers is not only easy—it’s magical. Watching the colors swirl and dry into crystal-clear art is so satisfying for kids and adults alike.
Whether you’re decorating for a holiday, making a special gift, or just having fun on a weekend afternoon, this is a craft that delivers both fun and beauty.
Have a question? Need more easy craft ideas? Leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you!
How hard do they get once they’re dry? Can you bend it? Is it the hardness of a crayon? Will it break easily? Would love to do this with my pre-k class, but worried about it getting ruined once dry. Any details would be helpful!
Great question! Once fully dry, the glue hearts become flexible but firm—kind of like thick plastic. They’re not as hard as a crayon, and you can bend them slightly without breaking, especially if the layer of glue is even and not too thin.
That said, if bent too far or if they’re handled roughly, they can crease or tear—so they’re not indestructible. For a pre-K class, I recommend:
Using thicker layers of glue for durability
Letting them dry for a full 3–4 days so they’re fully set
Hanging them in windows or displaying them (rather than using them as toys)
They hold up really well as decorations and kids love watching the light shine through them. Just remind them they’re art—not frisbees! 😊 Let me know if you need any classroom tips or adaptions!