How to Stencil Windows for Halloween

Children will delight in helping you plan the scene to paint on your windows.

Decorating the home for Halloween is a lot of fun, but if decorations are too expensive to buy, learn how to stencil your windows for that frightful night. Create a scary or silly scene that trick-or-treaters will appreciate. You can purchase the supplies for this activity at craft stores for reasonable prices. For a unique look, make your own original stencils rather than buy them.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock paper (optional)
• Printer (optional)
• Vinegar
• Dish soap
• Spray bottle
• Window cleaner (optional)
• Lint-free rags
• Paper towels (optional)
• Masking tape
• Repositional contact spray adhesive (optional)
• Window paint (acrylic or spray paint)
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

1. Plan the Halloween scene you intend to stencil onto the window. Browse through photos in Halloween magazines and books to decide what kind of theme you would like to display and how it will fit on your windows. Creating a friendly scene may be a good idea if you have young children; older kids and adults will enjoy a frightening scene. Pumpkins, witches, ghosts and skeletons are all classic shapes commonly painted on windows. A creepy graveyard scene may earn a few screams from the neighbors. Or a simple holiday greeting using letter stencils may be all you want to create.

2. Purchase the supplies needed. Print or draw shapes on stiff card stock paper and cut them out to create your own stencils. Or search for Halloween-themed stencil templates on the Internet.

3. Clean the window thoroughly before painting it. Remove dirt with a vinegar and water solution or with the window cleaner you usually use. Make vinegar and water solution by mixing 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 tsp. dish soap and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Wipe it with a soft, lint-free rag or paper towel. Let the window dry completely before you attach the stencils and begin painting.

4. Position the stencils on the window one at a time. Secure each stencil to the window with masking tape or repositional contact spray adhesive. Spray paint or brush the paint on using a paintbrush. Clean your paintbrush each time you finish with paint color or use a different brush for each color to prevent unwanted blending.

5. Use a small amount of paint at a time to avoid runs in the stenciled picture. Keep a rag handy to quickly clean up any mistakes or dripping paint. Brush the paint on lightly from the inside edge of each stencil and then working toward the middle. Keep your hand moving and spray in short, smooth strokes to avoid runs in the paint if using spray paint. Let the paint dry completely before removing the stencils to avoid ruining your artwork.

Tips & Warnings

• When the holiday is over, clean the paint off the windows with the vinegar solution or window cleaner.

• Consider the cost of printer ink and paper before deciding whether you want to buy the stencils or make them yourself.

References

• Free Stencil Patterns: How to Stencil the Easy Way
• The Window Woman: Questions and Answers About Painting on Windows
• Family Education; Window Painting; Jill Dvornik