Windows let in more than fresh air, and they can be turned into art in a lot of ways. Here are 36 window art ideas, from kid-friendly suncatchers and washable window paint to old window frames turned into home decor.
Each idea lists who it suits, what you need and a few steps, and links to a full tutorial. Quick ones such as transparency shapes and homemade window paint take 15 to 30 minutes, and old-window projects take an afternoon or more.
Quick Pick: Easy Window Art Ideas
| Idea | Best for | Time | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Abstract geometric window art | Ages 3 to 8, very low mess | 20 to 30 min | Colored transparencies, scissors, water |
| 2. Mondrian window | Ages 4+, painting practice | 45 min plus drying | Painter’s tape, washable paint |
| 15. DIY window paint | Toddlers and preschoolers | 15 min | Dish soap, cornstarch, food coloring |
| 16. Stained glass paper stars | Ages 4+, no paint | 30 min | Tissue paper, paper, glue |
| 19. Coffee filter tulip suncatcher | Ages 3+ | 30 min | Coffee filters, washable markers |
| 23. Plastic window clings | Ages 3+, minimal mess | 15 min | Acetate sheets, scissors, water spray |
| 25. Personalized name suncatcher | Ages 3+, learning letters | 30 min | Contact paper, tissue paper, washi tape |
| 26. Crayon shaving suncatcher | Ages 5+ with an adult | 30 min | Crayon shavings, wax paper, iron |
| 12. Lace window treatment | Teens and adults, privacy | 1 hour | Lace fabric, glue |
| 8. Window chalkboard | Adults, kitchen or entry | Afternoon | Old window, chalkboard paint |
Can I Use Acrylic Paint to Paint My Windows?
Yes, but acrylic dries onto glass and can be hard to remove once it cures, so use it for permanent art on windows you are not using, such as old salvaged frames. For windows in your home, use washable paint such as tempera or the homemade window paint in idea 15. Tape off edges and test a small corner first.
What Is Window Glass Art Called?
Painted or colored glass in pieces held by dark lines is called stained glass. Most ideas on this page are faux stained glass or suncatchers, which imitate that look with paper, paint or plastic, and they are safer and cheaper for kids than real glass.
Safety Notes Before You Start
- Old windows: houses built before 1978 may have lead paint. Windows are among the areas most likely to contain it, according to the EPA. Do not dry sand or scrape salvaged frames; check the EPA guidance on lead-safe work first, or buy a frame that has already been cleaned or sealed.
- Glass: wear gloves when handling salvaged windows, and watch for cracked or loose panes.
- Small parts: gems, pony beads and glitter are choking hazards for kids under 3.
- Ovens and irons: baking salt dough, melting beads and ironing wax paper are adult jobs. Melting plastic beads gives off strong fumes, so ventilate or bake outside.
- Paint: use washable, non-toxic paints marked safe for kids on windows you want to clean off.
36 Window Art Ideas
1. Abstract Geometric Window Art
Ages: 3 to 8. Difficulty: easy. Time: 20 to 30 minutes. You need: colored transparency sheets, scissors and a cup of water.
Let kids cut the sheets into shapes of different sizes, dip each piece in water and press it onto the window. Wet transparencies cling on their own, and layered colors blend where they overlap, which makes this a gentle intro to abstract art and color mixing. Let toddlers use blunt, kid-safe scissors with an adult close by.
Instructions: AndNextComesl.com
2. Mondrian Stained Glass Window
Ages: 4+. Difficulty: easy. Time: 45 minutes plus drying. You need: painter’s tape, washable paint such as tempera, brushes.
- Use painter’s tape to divide the window into rectangles.
- Paint some of the rectangles with bold colors and leave others empty.
- Let it dry, then peel off the tape. The paint washes off when you are done.
Instructions: WhatDoWeDoAllDay.com
3. Vintage Window Bathroom Towel Holder
Adult project. Difficulty: medium. You need: an old window frame, hooks, a wreath, and screws or hanging hardware.
Attach hooks to the frame and add a wreath to make a rustic towel holder. Old windows may have lead paint if the house was built before 1978, so follow the safety note before sanding or scraping.
See it at Letsdiyitall.com
4. Repurposed Doilies and Window Frame
Adult or teen project. Difficulty: easy. You need: an old window frame, crochet doilies or table runners, and fabric glue or tacks.
Fix the doilies inside the frame so the lace pattern shows against the panes. It is an easy way to show off lace you already own.
Instructions: Fleamarkettrixie.com
5. Window Frame Jewelry Display
Adult or teen project. Difficulty: medium. You need: an old window frame, knobs, hooks or triangle hangers, and a drill.
Add as many hooks and knobs as you have jewelry to hang. It keeps necklaces, bracelets and earrings in view and easy to reach.
Tutorial: theborrowedabode.com
6. Multidimensional Stencil Window Frame Art
Adult or teen project. Difficulty: medium. You need: a vintage window, stencils, acrylic paint and a stencil brush.
Paint a design or lettering onto the glass through a stencil, and build depth by layering more than one color. Choose any stencil that suits your decor.
Instructions: recreateddesigns.com
7. Painted Three Pane Old Window
Adult or teen project. Difficulty: medium. You need: an old three-pane window, acrylic paint and brushes.
Plan a design for each pane, paint it with acrylics and hang the window. The paint is not meant to be removed once it dries on the glass. This idea is shown on Etsy: Etsy.com
8. A Chalkboard for Little Messages
Adult or teen project. Difficulty: easy. You need: an old window, chalkboard paint, a brush and chalk.
Paint the glass with chalkboard paint, let it cure as the can directs, and hang it in the kitchen for lists or the living room for quotes.
Tutorial: theshabbycreekcottage.com
9. Old Windows Score
Adult project. Difficulty: easy. You need: an old window frame and an enlarged photo.
Place the frame over the print so the panes divide the photo. It gives a rustic look to a family picture.
See it at thehambyhome.com
10. Glass Gem Window Art
Ages: 5+ (gems are a choking hazard for under 3). Difficulty: easy. Time: 30 to 60 minutes. You need: flat glass gems and clear-drying craft glue or window-safe adhesive.
Little ones can make simple flowers or suns with the gems. Older kids and adults can arrange mosaic landscapes. Good for people who find art intimidating.
Instructions: SouthernJunkChic.blogpost.com
11. Shabby Chic Floral Window
Adult or teen project. Difficulty: easy. You need: an old or thrifted window, a floral print and decoupage glue.
Glue the print to the glass so it looks like a flower garden seen through a window.
See it at pianoetadonne.blog
12. Lace Window Treatment
Age: teens and adults. Difficulty: easy. You need: lace fabric and a glue the tutorial recommends.
Glue lace to the window panes. It adds privacy while light still comes through.
Instructions: 12Tomatoes.com
13. Garden Art With Old Windows
Adult or teen project. Difficulty: medium. You need: an 8-pane or smaller window, old jewelry, crystals, colored glass and beads, plus strong clear glue.
Arrange the pieces to fill the panes in a floral design, or choose another theme.
Instructions: Guides.brit.co
14. Faux Stained Glass Window Silhouette
Ages: 10+. Difficulty: medium. You need: a window pane or frame, glue, acrylic paints and a black outline.
Blend a fall-colored background with glue and acrylics, then paint a tree silhouette over the top.
Tutorial: practicalwhimsydesigns.com
15. DIY Window Paint
Ages: 2+ with supervision. Difficulty: easy. Time: 15 minutes. You need: liquid dish soap, cornstarch, food coloring, and brushes.
Mix the three ingredients into paint and let kids brush rainbows onto the window. It scrapes off and can be cleaned with vinegar and water. Food coloring stains clothing, so use a smock and a plastic tablecloth below.
Recipe: Nelliebellie.com
16. Stained Glass Paper Stars
Ages: 4+. Difficulty: easy. You need: colored tissue paper, paper or contact paper, scissors and glue.
Use tissue paper instead of real glass pieces for a kid-safe stained glass look. The stars come off the window easily.
Instructions: Allfreekidscrafts.com
17. Faux Stained Glass Window Art
Ages: 3+. Difficulty: easy. You need: painter’s tape and washable finger paint.
Tape the window into shapes, then let kids finger paint inside each shape. Let it dry for abstract window art.
Instructions: hometalk.com
18. DIY Window Clings
Ages: 3+ with help. Difficulty: easy. You need: cookie cutters, craft materials from the tutorial, and glue.
Use cookie cutters to make shapes for any season, then stick them to windows.
Instructions: Teachingmama.org
19. Tulip Coffee Filter Suncatcher
Ages: 3+. Difficulty: easy. You need: coffee filters, washable markers, a spray bottle or water, and scissors.
Color the filter with washable markers and spray with water so the colors blend. Fold the dried paper in half before cutting, so the tulip shape comes out even.
Instructions: There’sjustonemommy.com
20. Faux Stained Glass Suncatcher
Ages: 6+. Time: 30 minutes. You need: inkjet transparencies, a black Sharpie, highlighters, construction paper and glue.
- Draw intersecting lines on the transparency with the black marker to look like stained glass.
- Flip the sheet over and color the spaces with highlighters.
- When dry, make a construction paper frame and glue the sheet inside.
- Hang it on the window.
Step-by-step guide: Buggy and Buddy
21. Handprint Suncatchers
Ages: 3+ with an adult handling the oven. Time: 30 minutes plus baking. You need: salt dough, a baking sheet, glitter, a straw for the hanging hole and string.
- Press a hand into rolled salt dough.
- Poke a hanging hole with a straw. Bake according to the tutorial.
- Cool, add glitter, thread string and hang.
Step-by-step guide: Homegrown Friends More handprint crafts: craftwhack.com
22. Stained Glass Art Suncatcher
Ages: 5+. Time: 1 hour. You need: black fabric paint, contact paper and glitter glues.
Draw a house shape with black fabric paint on contact paper, let it dry, and fill each space with glitter glue. Hang it in the window once dry.
Tutorial: Green Owl Art
23. Colorful Plastic Window Clings
Ages: 3+. Time: 15 minutes. You need: plastic acetate sheets, household objects to trace, scissors and a spray bottle of water.
Cut shapes from acetate, then let your child spray the window and press the shapes on. It’s a low-mess option.
Tutorial: Mama Papa Bubba
24. Salt Dough Suncatchers
Ages: 4+ with an adult handling the oven. Time: 30 minutes plus about 1.5 hours baking. You need: salt dough, a star cookie cutter, clear pony beads and string.
- Cut stars from rolled dough.
- Cut out the center with a small cutter and fill the hole with clear beads.
- Bake at the temperature the tutorial gives (home bake times and temperatures vary, and the beads melt).
Beads melting in an oven can give off fumes, so run a fan and open a window. Beads are also a choking hazard for kids under 3.
Tutorial: Homegrown Friends
25. Personalized Suncatchers
Ages: 3+. Time: 30 minutes. You need: contact paper, pony beads, tissue paper squares and washi tape.
Have your child stick tissue squares on the contact paper in the shape of their name’s letters while saying each letter aloud. Frame with washi tape and hang. Supervise with small beads.
Tutorial: Happily Ever Mom
26. Suncatcher With Crayon Shavings
Ages: 5+, with an adult doing the ironing. Time: 30 minutes. You need: crayon shavings, wax paper and old newspaper.
Sprinkle shavings between two sheets of wax paper, cover with newspaper, and have an adult press with a warm iron to melt the wax. Cut into hearts or other shapes.
Tutorial: Buggy and Buddy
27. Glue Heart Suncatcher
Ages: 3+. Time: 20 minutes plus drying. You need: a heart cookie cutter, wax paper, school glue, and gems or beads.
Place the cutter on wax paper, fill with glue, add gems, and let it dry fully before peeling it off. Hang it in the window. Small gems are a choking hazard under 3.
Tutorial: Where Imagination Grows
28. Stained Glass Painting With Bottle Lids
Ages: 3+. Time: 20 minutes. You need: wax paper, washable paint, bottle lids.
Dab paint onto wax paper, press bottle lids into it, and see rose-like prints appear. Tape the dry sheet to the window.
Tutorial: Happy Hooligans
29. Oil Suncatchers
Ages: 4+. Time: 20 minutes. You need: baby oil, cotton swabs, construction paper and scissors.
Cut a circle from construction paper, then draw designs on it with a swab dipped in oil, which makes the paper translucent. Hang it up and watch the light shine through.
Tutorial: Meaningful Mama
30. Abstract Window Art (Ages 4+)
Ages: 4+. You need: colored transparency sheets, scissors and water.
This uses the same method as idea 1 with older kids in mind: cut sheets into shapes, dip them in water, and stick them to the window to create rainbow patterns. Dollar stores often carry transparency sheets.
Tutorial: And Next Comes L
31. Melted Beads Suncatcher
Adult-run baking only. Ages: 6+ for arranging the beads. You need: pony beads, a metal muffin tin and beading string.
Kids arrange beads in the tin, and an adult bakes them. Melting plastic gives off strong fumes, so open windows, use a fan, and consider baking outside in a toaster oven. Temperatures in tutorials range from 325 to 400 degrees F, so follow the tutorial you use. Let it cool completely before hanging.
Tutorial: School Time Snippets
32. Window Table
Adult project. You need: an old window, table legs or a base, and a sealing finish.
Turn a window into a shabby chic table with the glass as the top. Use safety glass or tempered glass if the table will be used, and avoid sanding pre-1978 paint.
Ideas: Marty’s Musings
33. Yarn Suncatcher
Ages: 2+. You need: contact paper, yarn, felt and spray adhesive.
Lay yarn on sticky contact paper, using it like a brush. Add a felt heart frame using spray adhesive (adult task, outdoors).
Tutorial: Minne Mamma
34. Mondrian Window Art (Tempera)
Ages: 4+. You need: tempera or poster paint, painter’s tape and brushes.
This is a second take on idea 2 using tempera on glass. Kids can copy the work of artists like Piet Mondrian, whose style inspires these windows. Tape the grid, paint the squares, and peel the tape when dry.
Tutorial: What We Do All Day
35. Nature Collage Suncatcher
Ages: 3+. You need: contact paper, a paper plate ring, yarn or ribbon, tape and leaves or flowers.
Cut the middle from a paper plate, stick contact paper across the opening, then press leaves and petals onto the sticky side. Add a yarn hanger.
Tutorial: Hands on As We Grow
36. Simple Earth Suncatcher
Ages: 4+. You need: a clear plastic lid, glue, blue and green glitter and cotton swabs.
Spread glue inside the lid, use swabs to place blue and green glitter in an Earth design, and let it dry. A good Earth Day project using an upcycled lid.
Tutorial: No Time for Flash Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use acrylic paint to paint my windows?
Yes, acrylic paint sticks to glass, but once dry it can be hard to wash off. Use it on salvaged windows or permanent projects. For windows you want to clean, use washable paint like tempera or homemade window paint.
What is window glass art called?
It is usually called stained glass when colored pieces are held together by dark lines. Kid-friendly versions are called faux stained glass or suncatchers, and use paper, paint or plastic.
What are some easy window art ideas?
Layering wet colored transparencies, painting with homemade window paint, sticking up tissue-paper stars, and making coffee filter suncatchers are all easy. Each takes about 15 to 30 minutes with everyday supplies.
How do you make an aesthetic window?
Glue lace to the panes for a soft, private look, or hang suncatchers so the light throws colors into the room. Cleaning the glass first and keeping to two or three colors makes it look more polished.
Can I make window art that comes off easily?
Yes. Wet transparencies, plastic window clings, contact paper suncatchers and the cornstarch window paint all peel or wash off. Test a small corner first.
All in all, we hope these window art projects for kids and adults bring you joy. Share which project you want to work on below!
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