For the Kids…Stained Glass Leaves
Article by: Greenhouse staff
Stained Glass Leaves
You can create beautiful “stained glass” windows by searching for fall leaves from a variety of trees, shrubs and other plants. The different colours to be found in the fall will create a multi-coloured effect but this project could be done at any time of the year using green, purple or variegated leaves.
The best part of this project is taking a walk and getting some fresh air with your family. To increase the educational value you might want to take along a book to identify the plants you’re choosing leaves from!
You will need:
- an assortment of leaves
- scissors
- paper towels
- copy paper
- heavy books
- iron and ironing board
- Newspapers
- construction paper
- waxed paper
- white glue
- Go for a walk in your neighbourhood or a local park to find a variety of leaves. Use a bag or pail to collect them in.
- Place the leaves between two pieces of paper towel and stack several heavy books on them. Leave them for at least three days, and up to a week; until they are flat and dry.
- Place a layer of newspaper on a flat surface. Cut a piece of waxed paper to the desired size to display your leaves; about the size of a sheet of paper works well. Lay your leaves on top in a nice pattern.
- Place another sheet of waxed paper the same size on top of the leaves. Cover with a sheet of copy paper. With help from an adult, use an iron on low temperature (no steam) to press over the top of the copy paper to seal the leaves between the two sheets of waxed paper.
- Cut two pieces of construction paper to the same size as the waxed paper. Fold them in half and cut a 2.5 cm frame out of both pieces. Place your stained glass waxed paper on top of one frame and glue it down. Do the same with the other side. Now you can hang your stained glass leaves in a window!
