Sure to be a hit with the kids, this quick tutorial will show you how you and the kids can turn any window into a beautiful rainbow. Of course, this craft can also be easily removed from the glass in the days after, so no worries about ruining the interiors!
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Why create a rainbow in your window?
For many, the rainbow symbol has become a symbol of hope; the bounty at the end of a storm, the brightness at the end of a dark time. Aside from that, there is something intrinsically beautiful about rainbows - the multitude of colours and intense brightness. My son and I wanted to create something in the windows that would make passers by our house smile as they walked past, but also something that would look colourful inside when the sun comes out. And thus the window rainbow came to be in our sons bedroom window.
How to create a rainbow in the window
Whilst there are many options for this - (drawing pictures to colour and hang, cutting and sticking vinyl, or making a pom pom hanging to name but a few options), we wanted to make the window itself our drawing canvas.
For this craft all you will need is some chalk paint pens. These pens will allow the light to shine through, meaning the room won't be darkened out by the artwork. I've found them to give a lovely stain glass window effect once dry. Most importantly, they are washable, so your artwork is going to be hardy enough to remain up for as long as you like, but super easy to remove with a wet cloth at a later date (or from young artist's fingers). We opted for Pentel Chalk pens (we managed to get these in a charity shop, but can also be found on Amazon here*). To help make perfect arcs, you will also need some gaffa tape* and some string.
1. Clean the glass window
If you're going to the effort of making art on your windows, you might as well clean it while you are there. Also, a grease free surface makes the pen stick better.
2. Create a compass with a chalk pen and some string
To give perfect arcs to your rainbow, you are going to to want to use some string and a light colour chalk pen (we used white). Simply tie the pen to a length of string (slightly larger than the biggest arc you want) and secure with some tape. Using tape again (we opted for gaffa tape), secure the other end of the string to the corner of the window (or wherever you want the middle of the rainbow base to be).
3. Draw your template
Using the string tied pen, draw an arc. This is the outside arch of the rainbow. To create smaller arcs, wind the string around the outside of the pen to shorten it (making sure the other end of the string is still attached to the window). This will give you arcs that are perfectly parallel to each other. Repeat the shortening and drawing until you have the right amount of arcs.
4. Mark out your colours
To make things easier for the little ones, draw a squiggle of colour in each arc so they can match up where they're going to colour in.
5. Go crazy and colour
Colour in each arc with the chalk pens until completely coloured. If you slip and get colour where you don't want it, wipe away with a wet wipe or damp cloth.
Clearing away the rainbow
When you've had enough of the beautiful window rainbow (or just want to change it up and draw something different), wipe away the colours with a wet cloth, then give the window a clean with your usual window cleaner.
As you can see we had loads of fun colouring in our rainbow, and a week on it is still looking as fresh as it did the day it went up. For more craft tutorials, click here.
How to Create a Window Rainbow
Materials
- Chalk Pens
- String
- Gaffa Tape
Instructions
- Clean the glass window
- Create a compass with a chalk pen and some string
- Draw your template
- Mark out your colours
- Go crazy and colour
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