About This Video

In this craft activity, Kate and Nicole show participants how to make faux stained glass out of paper.

The video begins by explaining that faux stained glass means fake stained glass because the project uses paper instead of real glass. Participants gather black construction paper, colorful tissue paper, scissors, glue, tape, and a covered work surface.

Kate and Nicole demonstrate how to fold black paper, cut shapes from the folded edge, and create a frame or paper design. They show how folded paper can make repeating shapes, such as hearts, stars, circles, or freeform designs. Participants are encouraged to sketch, practice, try ideas, and accept that the design does not need to be perfectly even.

After making the black paper frame, participants add tissue paper to the back of the design. Kate and Nicole show how to tear or cut tissue paper, use small dots of glue or pieces of clear tape, fill the open spaces with color, and create patterns or color combinations.

The finished project can be hung in a window, on a mirror, in a bedroom, in a classroom, or given as a gift. This video gives participants a hands-on craft activity focused on folding, cutting, color, pattern, light, creative choice, and turning simple paper into something bright and decorative.

Supplies Needed

• Black construction paper

• Colorful tissue paper

• Scissors

• Glue, such as Elmer’s glue

• Clear tape

• Optional: pencil for sketching or planning

• Optional: newspaper, butcher paper, or another table covering

• Optional: string for hanging

Good For

• Adults with IDD who enjoy crafts, color, paper projects, cutting, folding, patterns, window decorations, or making something by hand.

• Caregivers looking for a creative activity with simple materials, flexible steps, and room for planning, practice, and choice.

• Adult day programs, home routines, or group activities about crafts, color, light, paper cutting, folding, pattern, creative expression, and gift-making.

• Participants who benefit from visual modeling, step-by-step support, color choices, repeated shapes, and permission to experiment without needing a perfect result.

How to Use This Video

Use this video as a guided craft activity for a home routine, day program, small group, or creative session.

Caregivers can help participants gather black construction paper, tissue paper, scissors, glue, tape, and a covered work surface. Participants can begin with a simple frame, cut one large shape, or try more detailed folded-paper designs if they are ready for more challenge.

This video can be paused often while participants fold paper, cut shapes, open the design, tape or glue pieces together, choose tissue paper colors, fill the open spaces, and check how the finished piece looks from the front.

The finished faux stained glass can be placed in a window, hung with string, taped to a mirror, used as a room decoration, or given as a gift. Participants can also experiment with color patterns, repeating shapes, letters, stars, hearts, circles, or abstract designs.

Because this activity involves scissors, glue, tape, thin tissue paper, folding, and possible mess, caregivers should provide support with setup, scissor safety, folding, cutting, gluing, taping, cleanup, and any needed visual or hands-on assistance.

At the end, participants can hold the project up to the light, name the colors and shapes they used, choose where to display it, or make another version with a different design.