Natural Prints on Sun Paper

If you received one of our resource packs you will find a black packet with some sun paper inside. Sun paper is also available to buy online and makes for a unique summer activity.

The paper reacts with the sunlight causing it to change colour. Objects placed on the sun paper block the light and therefore leave their print.

It is important to leave the paper in the packet until you are ready to use it as it will start reacting as soon as it comes into the light.

The first stage of this activity is to gather some objects that might make good prints. Spend some time on a walk collecting natural objects with interesting shapes that appeal to you.

When you have a good collection of treasures you can lay them all out in front of you and have a good look at them. Which ones have the most interesting outline? Which one might let some light in around the edges? Which shapes do you like the best?

When you have selected a few you can open the packet containing the sun paper and lay it on the ground in the sun. Quickly arrange your objects on the paper and leave for around two minutes for the paper to react.

On a windy day you might need to put a sheet of glass on top the paper. You could take one out a picture frame.

When we do this activity in the woods we sometimes get the children to take their paper to a ‘Magic Spot’, and ask them to sit there for two minutes while the paper reacts. This time offers a window for some forest bathing or immersion in the sounds and smells of the woods. You could spend your two minutes listening to the birds perhaps.

After two minutes the paper will have changed colour and it should be placed in water for around a minute. The paper can then be dried flat and the images will start to develop and sharpen.