A suncatcher is the one fall craft that keeps working after the glue dries: tape it to a window and the afternoon light does the rest. This set gives you five ways to catch it — a lantern, a candle holder, luminaries, candle wraps, and window clings for the glass itself. The templates are the part the other pages make you draw by hand or hunt for on a second site; here they are in one free PDF, ready to print, with real leaves or paper leaves, whichever the walk home brings back.
Leaf Suncatchers
Five designs, one free PDF: a lantern, a candle holder, luminaries, candle wraps, and window clings for the glass itself. The window clings are decorative window decoration, not light-catching suncatchers — stick tissue or paper pieces onto the leaf shapes and press them to the window. They are the easiest make in the set, with no cutting of small parts, and the best starting point for ages 3–5.
Ages 3–8. The window clings are the easiest — stick tissue or paper pieces, no cutting of small parts; best for 3–5s. The lantern, luminaries and candle wraps need folding and gluing, best for 5–8s with adult help. The candle holder uses a jar and a real candle — adult only for the flame; use a battery tea light for children.
Lanterns and Luminaries
The lantern (template 1) and the luminaries (template 4) are built the same way: cut out the frames, fill the leaf openings with tissue-paper squares, real pressed leaves or coloured cellophane, then fold along the dashed lines and glue the tabs. Pop a battery tea light inside — never a real flame inside a paper lantern.
Candle Wraps and Holders
The candle wraps (template 5) wrap around a jar or a chunky candle, and the candle holder (template 2) fits a jar with a real candle. The holder is the one design where an adult must handle the flame; for children, always use a battery tea light instead.
How to print (A4 and US Letter)
Print the PDF single-sided on A4 or US Letter, 100% scale. Cut out the frames, then fill with tissue-paper squares, real pressed leaves, or coloured cellophane; seal with clear contact paper or tape to a window. For the lantern, luminaries and candle wraps, fold along the dashed lines and glue the tabs. Use battery tea lights only — never a real flame inside a paper lantern.
