8 – 9

Make sun prints

Activity

Make sun prints

What to do with this activity?

You can make beautiful silhouette images of plants or feathers or whatever you choose with the help of the sun and some light sensitive paper.  

It's a photographic technique that dates back to the 1840s - a long time ago. The photos are called sun prints or cyanotypes because the paper turns a blue-green colour known as cyan. The objects block the sunlight from parts of the paper, creating a silhouette image.

You simply lay whatever flat objects you wish onto special light sensitive paper and expose that to the sun for a few minutes. You can buy the light sensitive paper as part of a kit - either in an art shop or online. Search under sunprint kits. 

Try it for yourself and create some beautiful and delicate pictures. Have a look at this video from PBS Kids, or find out more on the website Sunprints.org

  • Why am I doing this?

    Talking and listening helps your child build their language and thinking skills – this is a great foundation for them to learn more. Asking questions, finding out answers and looking up words together will help build your child’s vocabulary and knowledge of the world around them. 

  • How can I do more?

    Encourage your child to give their opinions and to ask questions about things they see around them. Help your child to make decisions by discussing their ideas. Check if your child understands different things they hear. Encourage your child to teach you new words and phrases they have learnt.

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