How to Make Paper Stained Glass Art With a Child

Learn how to use the simplest and safest of materials to capture the beauty of stained glass art with a child.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum foil
• Permanent markers in various colors
• Transparency sheets
• Stained glass pattern

Instructions

1. Choose a pattern from a book or magazine containing stained glass project patterns. Children's coloring books also contain nice pictures that are easily outlined and colored. Involve the child in the selection of the patterns.

2. Place a clear, blank transparency sheet on top of the selected pattern and attach it so that it will not move. You can staple or tape the sheets together for this purpose. Outline the picture with a black permanent marker.

3. Use other colors of permanent markers to color in all the open spaces of the pattern. When finished with this step, cut out the shape of the picture. When your coloring and cutting is complete, you can dispose of the pattern.

4. Crumple a section of aluminum foil large enough to cover the area of the picture, and then promptly smooth out the foil. Place the colored transparency over the foil, and cut away the extra.

5. Tape or staple the transparency to the foil. You can also punch a hole in the top and thread ribbon through it to hang your finished project.

Tips & Warnings

• Bright, vibrant colors of permanent markers work best. These make nice Christmas ornaments. Allow the child to provide as much input as possible when selecting patterns and colors. Add a cardboard backing to project to increase its stability.

• Be careful using permanent markers around clothing. Colored sections will smudge if not allowed to dry completely.