Good Friday Stained Glass Crosses

When springtime comes around each year, we start to get into the “crafty” mood. We just love all the springy crafts — especially when they coordinate with special Christian holidays. We can’t get enough Good Friday stained-glass crosses this year. They are cute and easy and only use things that I already have around the house. The children like to be creative with the colors, designs and shapes. I think they did an amazing job, and I love that we can do this activity year after year without the kids getting bored! These are beautiful decorations for Easter each year! Happy Crafting and Happy Easter!

1. Gather your supplies.

You will need clear contact paper (or transfer tape), tissue paper of various colors, black or brown construction paper, and scissors.

2. Cut your tissue paper into squares.

I like to cut strips of tissues paper and then put the strips on top of each other to cut lots of squares at the same time. I prefer to cut squares of about one inch. If the pieces are too small, they may be too difficult for little fingers to grab.

3. Make the outlines/frames for your projects and cut out a cross.

Using the black or brown construction paper, cut out the outlines for your project. You can make a simple square or rectangle frame or make more interesting shapes like you would see in a real stained-glass window from a church. If you have small children, it would be beneficial to cut these frames out ahead of time, but older children would prefer to use the frame as another way to express their creativity.

The black and brown construction paper is for the crosses as well. These can be any size you would like them to be in proportion to the frame that you created.

4. Give your children a sheet of contact paper and put the frame and crosses on it.

Each child will need a sheet of contact paper. Peel off the paper and put the film, sticky side up on the table. Stick the frames in the middle of film and then add the cross to the middle of the frame. Press them onto the film so they will hold.

5. Add the tissue paper squares to the project.

Now is the fun part! Decorate your project by adding tissue paper squares to the sticky film. Add squares all around the cross and to the edges of the frame. The children are finished when they have added enough tissue paper to cover all of the sticky part inside of the frame. Some children may prefer to place the squares randomly while others may like to make a special design — stripes, patterns, etc.

6. Cut the contact paper edges.

Clean up the edges of the project by trimming the edges of the contact paper close to the frame. Use your scissors and cut around the frame so you cut off all of the contact paper. This will make the project look finished and neat.

7. Decorate your home by hanging these in a window.

These are sure to brighten up your space and get you ready for Good Friday and Easter by hanging them in a window. You will love how the sun shines through them and really creates a pretty atmosphere in your home. This project is a fun activity to do with your children year after year because as they grow their creativity will grow as well. (Save them from year to year!) Their special designs will make you smile!

Have you made these Good Friday stained-glass crosses in your home or classroom? Let me know how you made these (or variations that you have tried) by writing to me in the comments below!