Stained Glass Art Project for Kids

To Tutorial

I cannot wait to share this amazing stained glass art project for kids. It is an awesome individual project or can be displayed together to create a wonderful sight! Even the youngest kids could do this stained glass art project with some extra adult assistance.

stained glass art project painted on transparancies with qtips and paint mixture.

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This project is perfect to put on display for all to see in your neighborhood. It is amazing what sidewalk chalk, art projects in windows and colorful drawings can do to your neighbor’s spirits. Keep reading to begin to learn how to spread joy with this stained glass craft!

Table of Contents

Recommended Supplies

Clear Transparency
Glue Bottles (This is the type I use for all projects)
Black acrylic paint
Variety of colored acrylic paint
Small craft cups with lids
Q-tips

Before You Begin

Make A Template

If I were doing this project with older kids, I would make a template for them to draw on first. Trace an 8″ x 10″ transparency on a large 12″ x 18″ paper.
Consider adding a border on the inside by using the width of a ruler.
Students can do this, however, if your copier takes 12″ X 18″ paper, I found it was just easier to have the templates pre-made.
If using a drawing template then have children sketch out ideas for this stained glass project for kids. First, have students create thumbnail sketches (small sketches).
Children should take their favorite idea and draw on the pre-made template. Encourage students to not draw too much, since they will have to outline these drawings with glue.

green flower drawn on paper under clear transparency rectangle.

Some of the images you will see are me working with my young preschool-aged children. They loved designing inside a “stained glass” window and therefore I didn’t need to have them sketch out their ideas first!

How To Make Glue and Paint Mixtures

Step 1: Make Black Glue & Stained Glass Colors

In partially empty glue bottles, mix 1/3 part black acrylic paint and 2/3 parts glue. Shake well to create black glue. I would test this on a transparency sheet to make sure that you have a mixture that will stick.

Elmer's glue all and black craft acrylic paint on marble top.

I had a few mixtures that seemed to peel off after a very long time, so making sure you have enough glue is important.

For the colors, use the same strategy as above, however, I made the colors in small cups with lids. Students will use q-tips to add color since you won’t want to ruin all of your paintbrushes.

stained glass on transparencies with cups of mixed glue and paint for colors.

How To Make Stained Glass With Transparencies

Step 2: Tape Transparency To Sketch and Trace With Black Glue

Once the drawing is complete, tape transparency onto the template. They will then use the template and trace their own design with the black glue mixture. These will need to be placed flat to dry.

glue bottle mixed with black paint adding flower design to faux stained glass project.

Step 3: Let Black Glue Dry

Step 4: Add Colors With Q-Tips

Once black glue is dry, young artists can begin to add color.

Using pre-made color cups, students can use q-tips to design their stained glass. Even my preschool-aged children were encouraged to look at different textures and to experiment when making their projects.

hand adding blue and glue mixture to stained glass craft with qtip.

blue flower design painted on overhead sheet.

Step 5: Continue To Add Color

Continue to fill faux stained glass art projects with colored glue mixture and Qtips. We just used one Qtip for each color.

stained glass art project with cups of color on green table.

Step 6: Lay Flat To Dry

two finished stained glass crafts with orange, pink and blue paint.

My own children were so proud to see their stained glass art project on our windows at home!

What about a store-bought stained glass kit for kids?

Trust me, I get that sometimes you just want your kids to be creative, but you just simply can’t find the time or energy to organize one more mess.

Stained Glass Kits To Buy

Melissa and Doug Stained Glass Kit: This kit is highly-rated on Amazon. Kids will use pre-made “stickers” and have to match them into the sun-catcher like a puzzle. This is a great NO mess alternative to our DIY stained glass window project.
Klutz Color-In Stained Glass Kit: This is also very highly rated and uses markers to create up to 18 make-it-yourself stained glass windows.
Made by Me Stained Glass Kit: Here is a highly-rated stained glass kit for kids that involves paint (but all the paint and plastic templates) are already done for you

I absolutely LOVE when people can’t believe kids created artwork. What is your favorite way to add color to your space?

How To Easily Display

Instead of using tape, try using glue dots. This product is awesome for displays on windows and other clear surfaces.

Here are some tips and DIY art display ideas. Sometimes art projects from children can look completely different when they are displayed in a different way.

Craft FAQs

What age is this craft appropriate for?

I have done this project with all ages of children. It would be suitable for any age that can successfully squeeze a glue bottle.

How do you easily display stained glass crafts?

One of the best parts of this art project is creating an amazing display. Any place that has a window will do. I found that this product really helped to showcase the work.

Will the glue mixture peel off?

Make sure you are using Glue-All mixed with acrylic paint. You can test it on your transparencies first.

Do you paint directly on the window?

No…you will not actually paint on the window for this faux stained glass art project
I have seen stained glass projects where kids are allowed to paint right on the window. While I approve of this from a creative standpoint, it would be quite messy.
You will love that this stained glass art project looks like you did that, without as much mess.

Related DIY Crafts

This DIY stained glass art project for kids (or any store-bought kit) can really be fun and an easy way to spread joy around your neighborhood!

Stained Glass Art Project For Kids

Learn how to create stained glass from clear transparcenc sheets.

Print Pin Rate

Keyword: stained glass art project, stained glass for kids

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Author: Erin

Cost: under $5

Equipment

▢
Small craft cups with lids
▢
Q-tips

Recommended Supplies

▢ Clear Transparency Sheets
▢ Elmer's Glue All
▢ Black Acrylic Paint
▢ Variety Of Colored Acrylic Paint

Instructions

Create a template or sketch for your stained glass window.
MIx the black glue and colored glue cup mixtures.
For the black glue black acrylic paint to the bottle ans shake well. You want a 1:3 ratio of glue to paint.
Make the cups of colored glue by mixing Glue All and Paint in the cup.
Tape clear transparancy to the sketch.
Use black glue mixture to trace design.
Let completely dry.
Add colors into empty spaces with a Qtip.
Let completely dry and display on a window.

Notes

Test your glue and paint mixture to see that it sticks when it dries. If you have too much paint and not enough glue it may peel off.
You could also use colored sharpies instead of colored glue for this stained glass art project.

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