How to Paint Windows for Halloween

A jack-o'-lantern makes a good window painting for Halloween.

Painting your windows for Halloween is a great way to get in the spirit of the holiday; it lets neighbors know you're involved in the celebrations. It's also a way to get your kids involved with the decorating, as children of any age can help to paint your windows. Depending on your painting ability, either choose to paint intricate, detailed designs or a simplified ghost.

Things You'll Need

• Window cleaning solution
• Cloth
• Paper towels
• Stencils (optional)
• Masking tape (optional)
• Acrylic craft paint or tempera paint
• Glow-in-the-dark paint (optional)
• Paint Brushes

Instructions

1. Think of some Halloween-friendly designs. Simple designs to paint include skeletons or silhouettes of grave stones. Alternatively, choose a more complex window painting, such as a horde of zombies or a scene from your favorite scary movie.

2. Wash the windows with a window-cleaning solution on a cloth. Dry them with paper towels or a clean, dry cloth.

3. Place the Halloween-themed stencil, if you're using one, or mask off any areas you don't want to be painted on with masking tape.

4. Mix up your paint according to the package instructions, if you're using tempera paint. Acrylic craft paint and glow-in-the-dark paint should come premixed.

5. Decide whether to paint on the inside or outside of your window. People often paint on the inside of the window to protect the design from the elements. If you do this, paint in reverse so that the details are facing outward. For instance, if you paint a jack-o'-lantern, start with details such as the face and any shading on the body of the pumpkin. However, if you live in a hot climate or have a window that's sheltered from the rain, it's easier just to paint on the window's outside.

6. Paint your design on the window with your paint and paint brushes, utilizing the stencil if you're using one. Try adding accents and shading with glow-in-the-dark to give your design a ghostly look.

Tips & Warnings

• After Halloween, spray the design with water to soften the paint. Scrape it off with an ice scraper or the edge of a CD case.

• If you're painting inside, put down old sheets or newspaper on your floor below where you're painting to protect the carpet.

References

• The Window Woman: About Painting on Windows
• Carolina Paints; One Stroke Decorative Painting on Windows; Crystal Short
• Family Education; Window Painting; Jill Dvornik

Resources

• Halloween.com