You will enjoy this easy Medieval stained glass window project as much as your kids. Also, look at my pages 4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Idea and 12 Gifts For Medieval History Buffs.
Turn your living room into a castle straight out of the Middle Ages with a little paint and tape.
Preschoolers through highschoolers will love this hands-on activity.
And they will probably beg to do it more than once, we have done large windows like this several times.
Too, it can be traced as far back as the 7th century in Britain.
Some examples have been found in churches and monasteries.
Stained glass became extremely popular in medieval Europe.
It could be found in churches, cathedrals, wealthy homes, and Gothic architecture.
About Stained Glass In Europe
They were beautiful pieces of art that allowed natural light to stream into typically dark spaces and added a touch of drama and elegance.
To make stained glass sand and wood ash (potash) were melted into a liquid and when it was cooled it became glass.
To add color to the glass, various powdered metals are then added to the mixture while the glass is still liquid.
It was then flattened into sheets and the picture was designed by laying pieces of colored glass onto a board, then canes of lead were put between each piece and soldered together.
While the glass was leaded between colored pieces back then we are going to simplify ours.
We’ll still get a pretty impressive design using tape and a bit of design planning that is easy to clean up when you are ready to remove it.
You can create an intricate window with many symbols and period objects or just do an abstract design with lots of color and geometric shapes for impact.
Moreover, think about things that embody medieval times like swords, shields, dragons, lions, castles, knights, and other symbols.
Next, add some living books to this hands-on history craft.
Books for Kids About the Medieval Ages
9 Medieval History Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To
Add a few of these books to your Middle Ages or Medieval unit study.
King Arthur is one of the greatest legends of all time. From the magical moment when Arthur releases the sword in the stone to the quest for the Holy Grail and the final tragedy of the Last Battle, Roger Lancelyn Green brings the enchanting world of King Arthur stunningly to life. One of the greatest legends of all time, with an inspiring introduction by David Almond, award-winning author of Clay, Skellig, Kit's Wilderness and The Fire-Eaters.
This covers people and events and covers a larger period of time.
Kids can re-create a long-ago world of kings, castles, jousts, jesters, damsels, magic fairies, and Robin Hood—all they need are their imaginations, materials they can find at home, and the activities in this book. Dressing up in a coat of armor made from plastic milk jugs, whipping up a batch of curds and whey, writing secret messages in invisible ink, and telling time with a sand glass made from soda bottles are just some of the fun projects. Every activity is illustrated, and sidebars highlight colorful facts about life hundreds of years ago.
This newly updated book will introduce you to world history, from prehistoric times to the start of the 21st century. Find out about dinosaurs, the first humans, Ancient Egypt, the Aztec Empire, Medieval Europe, the First World War and many more fascinating subjects.
Set in the fourteenth century, the classic story of one boy's personal heroism when he loses the use of his legs.
The Knights of the Round Table were in their glory. When an unknown stranger visits the castle and asks Kin Arthur's favor, he is allowed to serve in the kitchen for his meat and bread. Little does anyone suspect that he is of noble blood and will soon be knighted by the famous Sir Lancelot. Lush illustrations bring the reader into the book, as Sir Gareth meets adventures and battles to free a princess from the fearsome Red Knight of the Plain.
In this 1978 Caldecott Honor Book, award-winning author and illustrator David Macaulay explores the history and construction of castles in a richly illustrated resource for curious young readers. The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern man? With typical zest and wry sense of humor punctuating his drawings, David Macaulay traces the step-by-step planning and construction of both castle and town.
I like to incorporate a wonderful and informational book to support our topic while making it fun and engaging. The Middle Ages, choose your own adventure style book is fantastic for middle elementary.
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood was written and illustrated by Howard Pyle and published in 1883. It is the best known version of the story of Robin Hood which had been popular throughout the previous century. Pyle popularized Robin Hood, his adventures, and his band of merry men in a way that influenced most later depictions in writing, drawing, and film. The book consists of a series of episodes pitting the outlaw Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck and the rest of his band against corrupt authorities epitomized by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
Additionally, look at more Medieval stained glass projects.
More Medieval Stained Glass Projects
- For a smaller project that is great for elementary through middle school look at my Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft for a fun reusable DIY window cling.
- These cute DIY Faux Stained Glass Jar Lanterns make a great little DIY that not only counts for art but adds a fun touch to dressers, desks, bookshelves, and of course homeschool rooms.
- When you think of medieval times you can’t help but think about dragons so I think that Dragon (Faux) Stained Glass is a great idea.
- Make Easy Stained Glass Window Craft Using Foil Paper and Cardboard, inexpensive projects are always a good idea and this can be used as a moveable prop for drama productions and as part of a Middle Ages project display.
Also, look at these other Medieval crafts.
More Medieval Period Resources
- How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts
- Kids Free Glass Blowing Lapbook on The History Of Glass Blowing
- Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft
- The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
- How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
- Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft
- Medieval History for Homeschool Middle School
Finally, look at how to make this easy medieval stained glass window.
How To Make A Kids Easy Medieval Stained Glass Window
You will need:
- Washable craft paint
- Painters tape or masking tape
- Water
- Dish soap
- Paint brushes
- Wet rag
First, I highly suggest outlining your entire window with painter’s tape to protect the trim around your window first.
We got a little lazy this time and we had a bit of a mess on the wall paint, no worries though it was time for a paint refresh anyway.
Prepare your window by covering up your windowsill with tape or paper taped down to protect it and the wall beneath the window as well.
Decide on your design and then take masking tape or painter’s tape and outline your entire design with it, be sure to press it down firmly so that you get nice clean edges.
You can curve your tape to create rounded designs like we did with our lion and shield you won’t get nice as nice of edges as you would with linear shapes.
Start with whatever actual shapes you want then fill in the rest of the window with simpler geometric shapes. The smaller areas, the more colorful and interesting the window will be.
When you are satisfied with your window design, and it’s all taped off you’re ready to paint.
Medieval Stained Glass Window
Squirt about half an inch or less of each paint color you chose into small cups, paper cups save time on cleaning up.
Add a couple of drops of dish soap.
And enough water to thin it out just a bit so it has the translucent stained-glass look.
Choose a color and have your child fill in random spaces throughout the entire design with their brush, keep a wet rag on hand to wipe up drips and spills if needed.
Switch colors and paint some more and continue changing colors until you’ve used everything up in your design entirely painted.
Allow it to dry almost completely, and then peel off the tape. This is very satisfying.
Use a damp rag, if needed to clean up your edges a little bit. Place where your tape has lifted, or it has dripped.
When you’re ready to clean it off, it cleans up easily by wetting it with water or Windex and scraping it a little bit.
Use something safe for your window like a plastic scraper or a lot of elbow grease and some paper towels.
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