Stained Glass Crafting with Kids

Parents are always on the lookout for something to do with the kids. There are sports, educational activities, video games, reading, and a million other ideas. But, one thing that will grab the kids and really hold their attention is crafts. And, one craft that the kids just can't get enough of is stained glass.

Making true stained glass is a complicated process. But, there are a few cheap and easy alternatives. Stop by your favorite craft department or store and take a look. They almost all carry kits marked 'stained glass'. These kits contain paints and pre-made clear plastic figurines. All they need is for a child with an imagination to put the two together.

Another neat way to get this effect is to get some different colored tissue paper. The parents can cut the sheets of paper into different sizes and shapes, or let the kids tear them. Then the children just take different colors, shapes, and sizes, wet and apply them to a window one at a time. When the tissue dries it will stick and the sun will come through giving a stained glass appearance.One more method for staining the kid's windows involves something that almost every child already owns. Letting the kids color the windows with crayons will create a stained glass effect as well. Lead free, acrylic paints work for this too. The parents will want to put down old sheets, towels, or cloths, and have some water and wet rags handy. Clean as you go is a good catch phrase here.

All of these ideas are easy to do, and easy to clean up. But, the last three involve windows. Parents should remember that windows are glass and can break causing injury to the child. So, these last three ideas should only be attempted if there are newer, thicker double-pane windows involved.

If there are only single pane windows in the house, the parent can stop by the hardware store and buy some pieces of plexiglass. The store will even cut the glass into smaller pieces if the parents do not have the tools, or ability, to do it themselves.

With a little planning, a mom or dad can have a craft-filled day with their children. And, the kids can have a way to decorate their own rooms. They will have family time and home improvement all in one activity. Life just doesn't get any better than that.