You all know my kids and I love simple ways to decorate our windows and our various faux stained glass windows always cheer me up. I've been looking for some new window art ideas to try, so of course I wanted to let you in on my search.
The biggest benefit of our window art is that it distracts me from staring at our fire escape. We may not have a gorgeous view but that's all the more motivation to brighten things up with a bit of kid made art.
Classic window crafts usually involves tissue on sticky paper (aka "Contact Paper"). I have eliminated this stuff from my life because it is made out of vinyl, which is extremely harmful to the environment and also to people who come in contact with the chemicals during manufacturing and disposal. I also don't think it's wise for children to play with it. I'm not environmentally perfect, but I do make adjustments as I learn new things.
I encourage you to create window art and sun catchers without sticky paper and I hope these ideas with inspire you!
Stained Glass Window Projects We've Done
Mondrian stained glass painting on the window.
Cellophane faux stained glass using dish soap. We've done autumn leaves stained glass, freestyle colored shapes and rainbow (a guest post over at Hands on :: as We Grow).
Quick and easy stained glass using page protectors. This is fun if you already have page protectors. I had some left over. I don't want to encourage you to buy them just for this. Some of them are made out of vinyl or similar plastics.
Free painting on the window using paint or window markers.
It's not stained glass, but our homemade rainbow prism mobile adds rainbow joy every afternoon.
Stained Glass Window Projects from Others
Ideas from other crafty families I have my eye on:
- Stained glass using India Ink from Babble Dabble Do
- Hearts with black glue from Mess for Less
- See through paintings using paint and tissue from Picklebums. She uses contact paper, but you could do this directly on the window.
- Designs with Post-Its from Mum in the Mad House
- Life sized collage people from 4 Crazy Kings
- Paintings on waxed paper from Happy Hooligans
- Tissue paper window from Dilly-Dali Art
- Window art made from gelatin (Seriously!) from Dilly-Dali Art
- Awesome (but probably too involved for me - ha!) Frank Lloyd Wright bubble window from Harmony Art Mom. It uses contact paper, but it's too cool not to share.
What do you think? Do you and your kids decorate the window? Have you ever tried a faux stained glass project? Would you be willing to give up Contact Paper?
Rachel says
The first stained glass project I did with my daughter came from an idea I saw in Parents magazine years ago and did not use contact paper. They had me put clear plastic wrap on the window (taped on along the sides with blue painter's tape) and then use a glue stick to attach pieces of tissue paper, working in small sections at a time. It turned out beautifully and lasted for months. Plus the clean up was a breeze - just pull off the plastic wrap and it is done.
Erica MomandKiddo says
That sounds gorgeous, Rachel.
Ana says
Thank you so much for including us in your round up! I love all these ideas!
writersideup says
Erica, I admire your effort to avoid things like vinyl 🙂 I do know there's one product made of vinyl I have to use 'cause I can't tolerate the chemical smell of latex gloves, but generally, there's not much of anything I do that involves vinyl. And just as a bit of info, last year I was looking into Colorforms for a project I was doing and learned that they have at least removed the chemicals which are considered unsafe or toxic. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it's a strict enough standard, but I was happy to hear that was done.
And I will continue to love your projects! 😀
Erica MomandKiddo says
I have older activities on the blog that use the stuff, but live and change.
MaryAnne says
So many cool projects! We need to do more window art.
Erica MomandKiddo says
We have so much fun with it.
The Mindful Shopper (@ItsAMindfulLife) says
Hello Erica:
These projects are adorable. I am so happy that you focused on projects that do not include harmful chemicals. Fun to find you through Pinfluencers and the Twitter Chat today. Looking forward to seeing what you post next!
-Amy Kathleen Kelsch
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Amy. That Twitter Chat was a lot of fun. Thanks so much for stopping by!
:Donna Marie says
Just curious, ladies...which Twitter chat? I attend a few, but it's more about writing. Also, if you're not aware of it, you would probably enjoy #wonderchat (once a month http://wonderopolis.org/wonder-year-2012/wonderopolis-wonderchat-2013-2014-schedule/)which is connected to http://www.wonderopolis.org. Fantastic stuff! 😀
Erica MomandKiddo says
Donna, I co-hosted a twitter chat with Pinterest on Friday morning all about kids' educational activities. #Pinspiration was the hashtag. Sorry your comment went to spam, I think because there are two links in it.
:Donna Marie says
Ah, OK....at least you saw the links 🙂
Simone Franklin says
I love all these stained glass window projects, they are just gorgeous. And it is definitely one thing I would like to do with my kids for our own unique window decorations 🙂
Jen aka Muminthemadhouse says
Thank you ever so much for featuring me