With the abundance of sunshine in Kenya, harnessing the sun’s rays to inspire a new hobby was the perfect activity for our children.
Sarah, visiting Happy House for the first time, brought some special paper with her to introduce the children to the art of cyanotype printing.
The session began with a walk around the area, where the children searched for leaves, flowers, and other interesting natural objects they could use to make their sun prints.They carefully selected different shapes and textures, excited to see how they would appear in their final pictures.
Sarah, who comes from Birmingham in the UK, then guided the children step by step through the cyanotype process.
First, the special light‑sensitive paper was placed on a flat surface. The children arranged their leaves and objects on top of the paper, thinking about patterns and design.
Once they were happy with their arrangement, the paper was placed in direct sunlight. After spending several minutes in the sun, the paper began to change colour. When the exposure was complete, the prints were taken to be washed in water.
As if by magic, the images appeared: bright white shapes where the objects had been, set against a blue background.
Watching the pictures develop was a moment of real excitement for everyone. The activity was both creative and educational, helping the children learn how sunlight can be used to make art while encouraging them to explore nature and express their creativity.
Each child proudly finished the sessionwith a unique cyanotype print to cherish.
