This Pi Day craft is a frugal and creative activity for this special fun day. Make a paper plate suncatcher that you can use for math, art, and more!
Pi Day (March 14) is a perfect opportunity for celebrating how fun math can be. This simple craft is perfect for homeschooling families, teachers, and grandparents looking to combine math and art. With just a few basic supplies, your kids can create a colorful suncatcher from a paper plate, all while learning about the wonders of the mathematical concept Pi.
I’ve got easy-to-follow instructions (with pictures) to help you make your own Pi Day masterpiece. Plus, I’m sharing creative ideas for extending the learning and FREE Pi templates!
Frugal Way to Enjoy Math + Art Fun
Would you like to easily add some fun to the month of March with kids? Need a simple and affordable activity for celebrating Pi Day? Want to boost learning by combining math + art?
Well, this colorful Pi Day craft for a paper plate suncatcher is perfect for all of those things and more!
March 14 is also known as National Pi Day. This date was chosen because the first three digits of the mathematical concept “Pi” are 3.14 – just like March 14 (3/14).
Since my boys and I are all about making the most of Fun Days, we’ve enjoyed this educational fun day in our homeschool in a variety of ways.
When the boys were younger, I tried to simplify our celebration as much as possible. I used basic explanations of what Pi means and did an easy Pi Day craft, like this paper plate suncatcher.
Suggested Supplies for This Suncatcher Craft
This DIY project for kids only uses a few supplies. You probably have most of these materials in your home, classroom, or library. The one material that you may need to buy is contact paper. I suggest trying your local dollar store or ordering online.
You can easily tweak this paper chain craft to use for other occasions or just because. Some fun ideas to try would be to make paper chains with different colors for fun days and holidays (like 4th of July), birthdays, and boredom busters.
Here’s a list of the craft materials that you’ll need:
How to Make This Pi Day Craft with Kids
01
Prepare paper plate
Cut out the center of the paper plate.
02
Make suncatcher frame
Flip the plate over. Color the back with the crayons.
Stick contact paper to the back of the plate. Flip back over.
03
Make paper circles and Pi symbol
Cut out lots of circles from the paper (light blue, green, and yellow are featured in this craft). Trace a small object like a coin or glue stick for a good circle.
Draw a Pi symbol on construction paper (use the free template!) and cut it out.
04
Add Pi symbol
Stick the Pi symbol to the sticky side of the paper, but flip it so it’s backwards.
05
Add paper circles
Stick colored circles over the remaining contact paper to cover the entire area.
Flip back around and trim off the excess contact paper.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Math + Art Craft
Absolutely! You can experiment with different materials like colored tissue paper, cellophane, or even clear plastic wrap for the suncatcher portion. The craft will still work as long as it allows light to shine through. Also, you can use cardstock in place of the paper plate.
Yes, but you may need to provide some help. This craft is simple enough for preschoolers and elementary-aged kids, but it can be easily adapted for different skill levels. Younger children may need help with cutting, while older kids can tackle more intricate designs.
Incorporate Pi-related facts or challenges while crafting. You can talk about the significance of Pi, ask math questions, or even have kids memorize the first few digits of Pi as they create their suncatcher. I have some more easy ideas below!
Creative Ideas for Extending Your Pi Day Learning Fun
Not sure how to display your Pi Day suncatchers? I love hanging these types of crafts in windows. You can also use a hole punch at the top of your suncatcher. Use string or yarn and hang from the ceiling.
To help your students better understand what Pi means, you can watch educational videos, as well as read books. Here are some of our top picks:
What Is Pi?: Pi Book For KidsSir Cumference and the Dragon of PiCircle Loves Pi: A Pi Day Story for KidsHappy Pi Day to You! All About Measuring Circles (The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library)
⭐ What ideas do you have for this Pi Day craft for making a colorful paper plate suncatcher? I’d love to hear about your ideas. Also, do you have any fun Pi Day activities that you’ll be doing? Let me know!
