Easy Stained Glass Art Projects for Kids: 12 Fun DIY Ideas

10 Beautiful Stained Glass Art Projects for Kids (Easy, Colorful & Fun)

If you’re looking for an easy stained glass art project for kids, you’re in the right place. Real stained glass takes special tools and a lot of know-how, but these kid-friendly “faux stained glass” crafts use simple supplies like wax paper, tissue paper, glue, and markers to create that bright, window-worthy look.

We’ve included two original Fabulessly Frugal stained glass crafts you can make at home (photos coming soon), plus a curated list of our favorite stained glass projects from around the web.

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Fabulessly Frugal: Wax Paper Crayon “Stained Glass” (So Easy!)

This is one of the easiest ways to make a stained glass look with kids—no paint required. The crayons melt into the wax paper and create a bright, swirly “glass” effect that looks amazing in a sunny window.

Materials

• Wax paper
• Crayons (peeled works best) or crayon shavings
• Cheese grater (optional, for shaving crayons)
• Paper towels
• Iron (adult use only)
• Scissors
• Construction paper (optional, for a frame)
• Tape or string for hanging

How to Make Wax Paper Crayon Stained Glass

1. Prep the crayons. Shave crayons using a grater (optional) or break crayons into tiny pieces.
2. Layer the wax paper. Lay out one sheet of wax paper, sprinkle crayon pieces/shavings on top, then place a second sheet of wax paper over it like a sandwich.
3. Protect your iron. Put the wax paper sandwich between two paper towels.
4. Melt the crayons (adult step). Iron on low heat for 10–20 seconds at a time until the crayons melt and spread. Move the iron gently so the color blends.
5. Cool & cut. Let it cool completely, then cut into shapes (circles, hearts, shamrocks, stars—anything!).
6. Hang it up. Tape to a window or punch a hole and string it up as a sun catcher.

Kid-friendly tip: If you want clearer “sections” like real stained glass, add a simple black frame using construction paper around the edges before you hang it.

Photos coming soon—this is an original Fabulessly Frugal project.

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Fabulessly Frugal: Contact Paper Tissue “Stained Glass” Suncatchers

This classic stained glass craft is perfect for toddlers through big kids. You’ll create a sticky “window” using clear contact paper, then layer tissue paper pieces to make a colorful design. It’s mess-free, quick, and looks so pretty when the light shines through.

Materials

• Clear contact paper (or self-adhesive laminating sheets)
• Colored tissue paper (cut or torn into small pieces)
• Scissors
• Construction paper (for frames/shapes)
• Hole punch & string (optional)
• Tape (if hanging in a window)

How to Make Tissue Paper Contact Paper Suncatchers

1. Create a frame (optional but cute). Cut a shape out of construction paper (circle, heart, rainbow, shamrock, butterfly). Cut the inside out so it becomes a “frame.”
2. Stick down the first layer. Place contact paper sticky-side up on the table. If it keeps curling, tape the corners down.
3. Add tissue paper. Let kids place tissue paper pieces on the sticky surface. Overlap colors for a layered look.
4. Seal it. Place a second sheet of contact paper on top (sticky-side down) and press to seal.
5. Trim. Cut around the edges. If you used a paper frame, trim neatly around it.
6. Display. Tape to a window or punch a hole and hang it with string.

Make it “stained glass” style: Add thin strips of black construction paper like “leading” lines before sealing the top layer.

Photos coming soon—this is an original Fabulessly Frugal project.

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More Stained Glass Art Projects for Kids (Curated Favorites)

Want even more ideas? Here are additional stained glass-inspired crafts that use different techniques and supplies. We’ve included a quick materials list for each so you can pick one that fits what you already have at home.

1. Stained Glass Painting with Bottle Lids and Wax Paper

I’ve seen this stained glass project multiple times now and I still can’t believe it’s made from wax paper and bottle lids. The finished result is gorgeous!

Materials:

• Crayola Washable Kids Paint
• Wax paper
• Card stock (to frame your painting)
• Bottle lid
• Paintbrush

See the full tutorial →

2. Faux Stained Glass with Acrylic Paint and Glue

The techniques used in this stained glass project are a bit more advanced than the one above, but still kid-friendly. This method really reminds me of real stained glass, especially with the black outline around each section of color.

Materials:

• One 32 x 24 thrift store framed picture covered with glass
• One bottle of white glue
• One bottle of clear glue
• Acrylic paints
• Black Sharpie pen
• Craft blade
• Super glue
• Peacock pattern (or page from a coloring book)
• Clear acrylic spray sealant

See the full tutorial →

3. Glitter Glue Stained Glass Art for Kids

Using an unused picture frame for DIY stained glass is so clever! Glitter glue and food coloring create super vibrant, fun results.

Materials:

• Glitter glue
• Toothpicks or paint brushes
• Food coloring (we used neon)
• Picture frames (we used 5×7 frames)
• Suction cup hangers

See the full tutorial →

4. Faux Stained Glass With Tissue Paper

If your kids want something simple and colorful to hang in the window, this one is perfect. All you need is colored tissue paper and a few basic supplies.

Materials:

• Colored tissue paper
• Mod Podge
• Black electrical tape
• Black scrapbook paper (or construction paper in a pinch)
• Ribbon
• Acrylic sheet

See the full tutorial →

5. Stained Glass Wreath Festive Craft

Paper plates make the best base for stained glass suncatchers! If you’ve seen our paper plate crafts, you might have seen this idea coming.

Materials:

• Paper plate
• Paint (any color you like)
• Embellishments for the edges (stickers, glitter, pom-poms, etc.)
• Sticky back plastic
• Colored cellophane or colored tissue
• Scissors

See the full tutorial →

6. Stained Glass Butterfly

If you have a Silhouette machine, this project can be quick and super cute. Print the template and color!

Materials:

• Template (found through the link below)
• Markers
• Silhouette machine

See the full tutorial →

7. Flower Petal Stained Glass Door

If you have a door with glass window panes, this craft is a must-try! Gather flowers and leaves, then create a beautiful stained glass look right on the glass.

Materials:

• Transparent contact paper
• Flowers and leaves

See the full tutorial →

8. CD Case Stained Glass

This is about as easy as it gets—just color on a CD case! It’s also a fun way to upcycle old CD cases.

Materials:

• Old CD cases
• Permanent markers (Sharpies work great)
• Ruler (optional)
• Something to cover your work surface
• Hot glue gun

See the full tutorial →

9. Faux Stained Glass Feathers

For more of a 3D, wind-chime style piece, these faux stained glass feathers are such a pretty craft for older kids and teens.

Materials:

• Americana Crystal, 3D, and Frost Gloss enamels (can be baked on glass)
• Embroidery hoop
• Yarn
• Clear plastic sheets (old plastic folders or take-out lids work too)

See the full tutorial →

10. Stained Glass Sugar Cookies

This one is more of a recipe than a craft—but who says it can’t be both? Making stained glass cookies with kids is a fun way to build baking skills and creativity (and you get a sweet treat at the end!).

Materials:

• 1 (14-ounce) bag fruit-flavored hard candies, unwrapped
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• Pinch of salt

See the full tutorial →

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FAQ: Stained Glass Crafts for Kids

What is the easiest stained glass craft for kids?

Wax paper crayon stained glass and contact paper tissue suncatchers are two of the easiest stained glass crafts for kids because they use basic supplies and don’t require special tools (other than an iron for the wax paper version, which should be handled by an adult).

How do you make fake stained glass art?

Most faux stained glass crafts use a transparent base (wax paper, contact paper, plastic sheets, or glass) combined with colorful materials like tissue paper, paint, markers, or melted crayons. Adding black paper “leading lines” can make it look even more like real stained glass.

Are stained glass crafts safe for toddlers?

Many of these are toddler-friendly with supervision. For younger kids, stick to tissue paper/contact paper projects and avoid crafts that require sharp tools, hot glue, permanent markers, or an iron.

How can I hang stained glass crafts in a window?

Most projects can be taped directly to a window, or you can punch a hole at the top and use string to hang them from a suction cup hook.

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Final Thoughts

Although making real stained glass requires specialty supplies and advanced know-how, you can still create beautiful stained glass-style art at home with the easy techniques above. Pick one that matches what you have on hand and have fun crafting with your kids!

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