Thanksgiving with Stained Glass

Using Art to Tell the Thanksgiving Story

I am not the crafty kind of mom who whips out gorgeous arts and crafts supplies to teach history, geography or even literature. I have a modicum of supplies on hand because, well, let’s face it, I am a homeschooler and my son is very artistic and I keep some supplies to meet his need. 

There are some things I am good at like , but generally speaking my crafty things turn out to be trashy things.

Thanksgiving Big Idea

I saw this Book (Affiliate) “The Little Thanksgiving Stained Glass Coloring Book” and I had this Big Idea that I would use the coloring sheets as a template for a craft project.


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Supplies Needed

  • The book coloring page templates.
  • Waxed Paper
  • Variety of colored tissue paper
  • Scissors
  • Black Sharpie Marker
  • Construction Paper
  • Glue stick
  • Iron

Stained glass

The Process

  1. Trace the dark outline of the template onto the waxy side of the paper.  You may need to tape it down to prevent curling.
  2. Then cut the tissue paper into shapes to fit the diagram which will serve as the glass. You do not have to be exact. In fact, we found that it was easiest to add glue to the template then lay the tissue over the top followed by cutting along the outline.
  3. When the design is complete, layer another layer of waxed paper over the top, waxy side to the inside. Lay a thin cloth (like a t-shirt) over the layers and use a warm iron. the waxed paper will begin to adhere to each other.
  4. Then using construction paper cut a frame for your “window” and glue the window to the back of the frame.
  5. There you have a lovely stained glass Thanksgiving scene, perfect to hang in your kitchen window for the holidays.

There are several books in this series and you and your children might enjoy making stained glass crafts for every season.

What fun and crafty things have you done this autumn?

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Stop in and see what BIG Ideas my
 friends are sharing this autumn.

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