Activity
Create a Stained Glass Rose Window
One of the most beautiful parts of every cathedral is the stained glass window above the entrance, called a Rose window. Your child can create their own work of beauty based on these centuries-old works of art. Instead of cutting glass, they can use tissue paper and repeated shapes and patterns for a similar glowing effect.
What You Need:
- 2 Sheets of Black construction paper (11” x 17”)
- Colored tissue paper
- X-acto cutter
- Glue stick
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Compass (for drawing circles)
What You Do:
- Using a compass, draw a circle in the center of one of the sheets of black construction paper. Draw the circle as large as possible. Cut out the circle with a pair of scissors.
- Trace this circle onto the other black sheet of paper. Cut the second circle out with scissors (these two circles will later become your rose window).
- On the scrap black paper that the circles were cut from, create four basic shapes. For example; a half circle, diamond, circle, rectangle. Cut out one of each shape.
- On one black circle, create repeating patterns by tracing around each shape one-by-one until the entire circle is filled up. Try to space them equally apart as you trace them until the circle is filled up with patterns. (Don’t worry if you make a mistake and have to erase the pencil lines, this side of the black circle won’t be seen.)
- Place the circle with the drawn out design on top of the blank black circle. Very carefully, use the X-acto knife to cut out the shapes so the blade goes through both sheets of paper. Be careful to not move the bottom circle as you cut so all shapes are cut out identically.
- Now set the bottom circle aside, and the circle that had the pencil shapes drawn on it is now in front of you.
- Use scissors to cut up pieces of tissue paper to glue into the cut windows of your black circle. Glue them down as you cut them until all spaces are filled.
- Carefully take the other black circle and glue it down onto the tissue papered circle. This will hide any messy tissue paper or excess glue. Your finished product will look something like this.
Hang your beautiful Rose window at the entrance of your home for a beautiful welcome to all of your family and guests!
Related learning resources
Stained Glass Window Coloring Page
Worksheet
Stained Glass Window Coloring Page
This pretty sun design looks like it comes straight from a stained glass window. Can your child brighten it up by adding in some color?
1st grade
Worksheet
Make Stained Glass Crayons
Activity
Make Stained Glass Crayons
Here's how to use crayon scraps to make beautiful stained glass window hangings.
kindergarten
Arts & crafts
Activity
"Stained Glass" Flower
Activity
"Stained Glass" Flower
Create your very own "stained glass" flower, the perfect gift for mom this Mother's Day!
3rd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Get Colorful with a Stained Glass Drawing!
Activity
Get Colorful with a Stained Glass Drawing!
Do this fun art project to brighten up your home with an easy-to-make stained glass window drawing!
kindergarten
Arts & crafts
Activity
Create a Faux Stained Glass Vase
Activity
Create a Faux Stained Glass Vase
Try this creative art project with your second grader to help him build up his fine motor skills and artistic awareness as he makes a faux stained glass vase.
2nd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Stained Glass Star
Worksheet
Stained Glass Star
Coloring this stained glass star is a fun way to learn about Christmas traditions and it makes for an attractive homemade Christmas decoration.
1st grade
Worksheet
Stained Glass Angel Coloring Page
Worksheet
Stained Glass Angel Coloring Page
This stained glass angel coloring page is a creative activity that makes for great homemade Christmas decorations.
1st grade
Worksheet
Make Mondrian Stained Glass Art
Activity
Make Mondrian Stained Glass Art
Make vibrant faux stained glass art inspired by the art of Piet Mondrian, a Dutch painter who explored repeating shapes using the primary colors.
1st grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make "Stained Glass" Holiday Stars
Activity
Make "Stained Glass" Holiday Stars
Create a dazzling window display with cut stars with this fun first grade holiday activity.
2nd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Window Painting
Activity
Window Painting
Here's an arts and crafts activity to help your preschooler create her own window mural with simple tempera paints and paintbrushes.
preschool
Arts & crafts
Activity
Easter Egg Collage
Activity
Easter Egg Collage
Create your very own colorful stained glass collage Easter egg.
kindergarten
Arts & crafts
Activity
Christmas Baby Jesus Coloring Page
Worksheet
Christmas Baby Jesus Coloring Page
This Christmas baby Jesus coloring page, in the form of a stained glass window, offers children a fun and creative way to learn about the story of Christmas.
1st grade
Worksheet