Stained Glass Projects for Children
Are you looking for a fun way for your children to express their creativity? Stained glass projects are a great way to engage your children’s imaginations, teach them important problem-solving skills, and let them create something beautiful that they can be proud of.
There are stained glass projects for kids of all ages, from preschoolers to teens, so there’s something for everyone.
From simple sun catchers to intricate mosaics, there are a variety of stained glass projects that your children will love. With a few simple materials and some guidance, your children can create stunning stained glass projects that will bring them hours of enjoyment.
Not only that, but the projects can also be treasured keepsakes that your children will cherish for years to come. So grab some supplies and start exploring the wonderful world of stained glass projects with your children today!
Types of Stained Glass Projects for Kids
If you’ve ever worked with stained glass before, you know that it’s not a quick and easy craft – it can be very time-consuming.
However, there are stained glass projects for kids that can be completed in an afternoon. There are a few different types of stained glass projects that your child can work on, and each one has its own appeal.
Stained glass sun catchers – These are perfect for kids of all ages, and they’re a great way to introduce your child to working with stained glass. A stained glass sun catcher can be any shape. A circle, square, or other creative shape, and can be hung in a window or placed on a table.
Stained glass canning lids – You can turn old canning lids into beautiful stained glass coasters, magnets, and more with just a little bit of creativity. Your child can choose any image they’d like to use.
Stained glass picture frames – If you want to create a truly one-of-a-kind picture frame for a family photo or a treasured picture, stained glass is a great option. You can either create a stained glass picture frame from scratch or, for a shortcut, you can create a stained glass overlay that you can adhere to an existing frame.
Materials and Supplies Needed
While stained glass projects are definitely not quick crafts, they are relatively simple and inexpensive to get started with.
You’ll need a few basic supplies to create a stunning stained glass project with your child, including:
- Glass – You can use a variety of different types of glass for different stained glass projects. For sun catchers, canning lids, and similar small projects, you can use regular window glass and paint. For more intricate and larger projects, you’ll want to use stained glass, which is specially made and treated glass.
- Tools – You’ll need a few basic tools to get started with your stained glass project, including a pair of scissors, a glass cutter, a ruler, and safety goggles.
- Miscellaneous supplies – You’ll also need a few miscellaneous supplies like a canning jar lid or another circle-shaped object to trace your sun catcher pattern onto, a pencil or marker, and maybe a paper clip to use as a hook to hang the piece from.
Designing a Sun Catcher
Have the kids make their own sun catcher by using pieces of plastic or glass. One way to get this is to ask your local hardware store if they have any pieces of plastic or glass they are throwing away. You’d be surprised at what they might have available.
The most basic version only needs one piece of colored glass or glass-like plastic, but if desired, glue several different pieces edge to edge. It can be cut into a neat circle or other desired shape at this point.
Depending on the desired outcome, you can simply drill a hole near the top and hang it in a sunny window, or you can paint an image in the middle of it. After it’s dried, you can hang it in your window to let the sun shine through and make your piece of art come to life.
Crafting a Kaleidoscope
Younger and older children both enjoy a kaleidoscope stained glass project. Kaleidoscopes have fascinated people since their invention in 1816. They are a multifaceted mirror that reflects the object it is viewing to produce a variety of patterns. These patterns are unique to the stained glass or plastic placed inside.
A kaleidoscope can be made with a few simple materials. Generally, you will need a paper or plastic tube which can be fabricated from something like a clear plastic report cover, or even a paper towel roll.
You’ll need 3 long and narrow acrylic mirrors to affix inside the tube in a triangular configuration, and some kind of colorful, reflective glass or plastic shapes to fill the end of the tube for a unique “stained glass” effect.
The easiest way to decorate the outside of the kaleidoscope tube is to use contact paper, but be sure to leave the far end uncovered to allow light to enter the tube and create reflections with the colored glass or plastic pieces.
Building a Mosaic Art Piece
Creating a mosaic mirror stained glass project for children can be a fun project to do. You can create a variety of different mosaic art pieces. Some of these projects can be hung in windows, or used as decorations for a home.
There are a variety of different colored glass panes you can use for this project. You can also use broken glass to create an intricate mosaic. If you want to use broken glass, you will need a glass cutter to cut it into the shapes you want.
Once you have your pieces cut out, you will need to lay them out on a piece of cardboard or other firm surface, and use some grout to seal the pieces in place. You can buy grout at your local hardware store.
The most common grout colors are white and gray, but you can also use black. You will need to make sure that the grout lines are thin so that they do not distract from the mosaic. You should also use a latex additive where needed. You may need to add a bit of water to the adhesive to make it paste-like.
The kids should also wear protective gloves while working with the adhesive. The adhesive will turn clear after it dries. You can wipe away any excess glue with a damp sponge.
Faux Stained Glass
If you’d rather not use small pieces of glass or plastic to be safer around small children, you can use a “faux stained glass” method. One example of this is creating a colorful butterfly using tissue paper, melted wax crayons, and an iron to create a faux stained glass effect. The butterfly pattern itself can be crafted by hand, or with the help of a silhouette machine.
It’s All About Creativity
As you’ve realized by now, stained glass projects can take the shape of many different forms. Use your imagination and you’ll soon discover how fun and exciting stained glass art can be.
