A painted window is the rare Thanksgiving craft that works for everyone. Kids get a huge canvas, and you get decor that wipes off in minutes.

The catch is picking the right paint and the right spot. A little planning keeps it fun and keeps the mess small.

Below are 12 Thanksgiving window painting ideas with sizes, steps, and tips for different ages. We also cover paint safety, clean-up, and window safety.

In this article

Quick Answer

For kid-friendly window painting, mix washable tempera paint with dish soap, about two parts paint to one part soap. Megan Sheakoski of Coffee Cups and Crayons uses that ratio.

Choose paint with the AP Seal from the Art and Creative Materials Institute for children in sixth grade or younger. Keep the paint on the inside of the glass, and test a small corner first before you start.

Keep windows closed and furniture away from the glass, and stay with young children while they paint. Keep every design at kid height so no one needs a stool. Have an adult handle any scraping or cleaner.

When you’re done, wipe the glass with wet paper towels, then use window cleaner to remove streaks. The whole project can fit into one afternoon, with time left for photos and a snack.

Which Paint Is Best for Kids’ Window Painting?

The answer depends on how long you want the art to stay and how easily it needs to come off. Kaitlyn Edington of Art With Mrs. E compares several options.

Paint	Best for	Clean-up
Tempera with a few drops of dish soap	Indoor windows and seasonal displays	Water, then glass cleaner and paper towels
Washable window markers	Young kids’ doodles	Water only
Chalk markers (liquid chalk)	Lettering and details	Water and paper towel
Acrylic paint	Weather-resistant outdoor displays	Water, then scraping

For a family project indoors, tempera with soap is the easy pick. Save acrylic for adults, since it’s harder to remove.

How Do You Know a Paint Is Safe for Kids?

Look for the AP Seal. The Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) says the Approved Product Seal marks art materials that a board-certified toxicologist has evaluated. They contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans, including children.

ACMI says to check for the AP Seal on products for kids in sixth grade or younger. It also says products with the CL Seal should never go to children in grade 6 or lower.

Check the label on every paint, marker, and stamp pad you use. If it has no seal, keep it out of kids’ hands.

Is It Safe to Let Kids Paint Near Windows?

Yes, with a few simple rules. Seattle Children’s says children ages 2 to 5 are at the greatest risk for window falls.

Where to Buy

Crayola Washable Kids Paint, 6 Count

Washable kids paint in bold colors for mixing with dish soap into window paint (check the label for the AP Seal)

Shop Now

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Keep the windows closed, and don’t use a stool or chair right at the glass. Seattle Children’s advises keeping furniture and other things kids can climb away from windows. It also says screens keep bugs out but don’t keep kids in.

Paint at kid height, and always stay with young children.

How Do You Mix and Apply Window Paint?

Mix about two parts washable tempera to one part dish soap in a small cup. Stir with a brush until it’s smooth.

Start with a clean, dry window. Test a small corner first, and skip any window with a film or tint.

Lay a vinyl tablecloth or old sheet on the floor. Use synthetic brushes for smooth strokes, and sponges or cookie cutters for stamps.

What Supplies Do You Need?

You don’t need much. Most of it may already be in your craft drawer.

Supply	How much	Why
Washable tempera paint (AP Seal)	4 to 6 colors	Main paint
Dish soap	A small bottle	Mixes into the paint for easy clean-up
Synthetic brushes	3 to 4 sizes	Smooth strokes
Kitchen sponges	2 or 3	Leaf stamps and dabbing
Vinyl tablecloth or old sheet	1	Floor protection
Paper towels and window cleaner	1 roll and 1 bottle	Clean-up

Add a cookie cutter or two and a plastic fork for stamps. Muffin tins make handy paint trays, since each cup holds one color.

How Do You Adapt Painting for Different Ages?

Match the job to the child. Young kids love big, messy jobs, and older kids like detail.

Age	Good jobs	Adult role
2 to 3	Handprints, dabbing with sponges	Stay close and hold the paint
4 to 5	Fingerprint pumpkins, filling in shapes	Outline and mix paint
6 to 8	Fork prints, stained-glass fills	Draw guide lines
9 and up	Lettering, scarecrow, chalk markers	Handle any scraping

These age ranges are our suggestions. You know your child best, so adjust as needed.

How Can You Make a Simple Template?

Draw your design on paper first, then tape it to the outside of the glass. Kids can trace over it from the inside.

Use a dark marker so the lines show through. For a big shape like a turkey or cornucopia, draw it about 12 to 18 inches wide.

Take the template down before you start clean-up. Paper on the outside stays dry, so it won’t leave marks.

Which Windows Are Best for Painting?

Pick a window kids can reach without help. A low window near the floor or a big glass door works well for young kids.

Choose a window that gets good light so the colors glow. Skip windows next to a heater, and keep furniture away from the glass, as Seattle Children’s advises.

If the window has film or tint, or if you rent, test a small corner first. That way you know how the paint comes off.

12 Thanksgiving Window Painting Ideas Kids Can Do With You

1. Handprint Turkey

Paint your child’s palm brown and press it on the glass with the fingers spread. Use red, orange, and yellow for the feathers, one color per finger, or paint them on by brush. Add a beak, an eye, and legs with a small brush.

Best for ages 2 to 6. Keep the turkey about 12 inches wide, and wash hands right after with soap and water. Press the hand flat for two seconds, then lift it straight off so it doesn’t smear.

2. Sponge-Stamped Leaves

Cut a kitchen sponge into leaf shapes, about 3 inches long. Dip each one in red, orange, or yellow paint and dab it on the glass. Overlap the leaves a little for a fall pile.

Best for ages 3 and up. Use a fresh sponge for each color so the shades stay bright. Blot the sponge on a paper towel first, so the paint doesn’t drip.

3. Pumpkin Patch Row

Paint a row of small pumpkins along the bottom of the window. Use an orange circle about 4 inches wide, add a green stem, and draw curly vines. Kids can dab the pumpkins with a fingertip.

Best for ages 2 to 5, at low windows. Add a few vines between pumpkins to connect them.

4. Cornucopia With an Adult Outline

Paint the horn-shaped basket outline yourself, about 18 inches wide. Let kids fill in the fruits and vegetables spilling out, like apples, pears, and pumpkins. Use one color per item so it stays easy to read.

Best for ages 4 to 8. You outline, they fill.

5. Thankful Message

Paint the word THANKFUL in big block letters, about 6 inches tall. Then let kids paint leaves, dots, and stripes inside the letters. A steady adult hand helps with the outline.

Best for ages 5 and up. Put it at the top of the window so it stays the centerpiece. Paint the letters first, and let them dry a little before filling them in.

6. Stained-Glass Leaf

Outline a big leaf in black paint, about 10 inches long, and add vein lines. Let kids fill each section with a different color. Kaitlyn Edington notes that adding soap makes tempera more transparent, which gives the glow of stained glass.

Best for ages 5 and up. Keep the fills thin so light passes through.

7. Cookie-Cutter Acorns

Dip an acorn-shaped cookie cutter in paint, and press it on the glass. Add a brown cap with a brush once the shape dries a little. Use 3 inch cutters for clean prints.

Best for ages 3 and up. Wash the cutters in warm water after.

8. Falling Leaves Border

Dab leaves around the frame of the window in a loose border. Vary the colors and sizes, from 2 to 4 inches. Let some leaves seem to drift toward the center.

Best for ages 3 and up. This is a great group project, since every child can add a leaf.

9. Sunflower Fork Prints

Paint a brown circle about 4 inches wide. Press the back of a plastic fork around it to make yellow petals. Add a green stem and two leaves with a brush.

Best for ages 3 to 7. Use a spare fork, not one from the kitchen drawer.

10. Friendly Scarecrow

Paint a simple scarecrow with a round face, a floppy hat, and stitched patches. Use brown, tan, and one bright color. Draw straw with short yellow lines.

Best for ages 4 and up. Adults can outline, and kids can color the clothes.

11. Pumpkin Pie Slice

Paint a triangle about 8 inches tall for a pie slice, then add a brown crust on the edge. Kids can add whipped cream with white dabs. It’s a fun way to talk about dessert.

Best for ages 3 and up. Use cream and orange for the filling.

12. Chalk Marker Gratitude List

Use liquid chalk markers to write what each family member is thankful for. Kaitlyn Edington lists chalk markers as a good choice for lettering and details. Keep each note to one short line.

Best for ages 6 and up. Write with an adult first, then let kids add doodles. Keep the notes short, so they fit in the space you have.

How Do You Pair Painted Windows With Other Thanksgiving Decor?

Painted windows look best when the rest of the room echoes their colors. If you painted red, orange, and yellow leaves, add a wreath in the same shades. Our Thanksgiving wreath ideas have plenty of options.

A small pumpkin display on the sill ties everything together. For more ways to build a harvest scene, see these autumn harvest display ideas.

If you want a whole-house plan, our Thanksgiving decorating guide covers each room.

What Should You Do After Thanksgiving?

Wash the windows within a few days, since paint is easiest to remove while it’s fresh. Take a photo of the finished art first, so you can print it or keep it for next year.

Then plan the next holiday. The same paint and brushes work for December, and our Christmas window ideas give you a head start.

Keep leftover paint in a sealed container. Label it with the date, and stir it before you use it again.

How Long Will the Paint Last?

It depends on your paint, your window, and the weather. Megan Sheakoski reports that she left her window paint up for a month.

If the window gets direct sun or damp air, check it now and then. Touch up any spots that smear or run.

For extra lasting power, use acrylic outdoors. But keep acrylic away from young kids, and use it only on the outside of the glass.

How Do You Clean Window Paint?

Start with wet paper towels and wipe the paint off the glass. Then use window cleaner to get rid of streaks, per Coffee Cups and Crayons.

If paint dried on, wet it first, and wipe again. Kaitlyn Edington says a razor blade at a 45 degree angle can remove dried tempera mixed with soap, but only adults should do that.

Don’t use a razor on dry acrylic, since it can scratch the glass.

What Most People Get Wrong

The mistake most people make is skipping the test patch. Try a small corner first, so you know how the paint looks and comes off.

The second is painting too high. Keep everything at kid height, so no one needs a stool.

And don’t forget the seal. Kids’ paints should have the AP Seal, and you should check the label on markers too.

Your Two-Hour Plan

Start with 15 minutes of setup. Lay down a cloth, mix your paint, and tape a paper template to the outside of the glass if you want a guide.

Spend an hour painting. Let each child pick two ideas, and keep the rest for adults.

Finish with 30 minutes for hand washing, clean-up, and photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can kids paint windows?

Toddlers can do handprints and dabs with an adult close by. Kids 5 and older can outline and fill. Check the AP Seal on every product.

Will window paint damage the glass?

Wet paint wipes off easily, but dried paint can need more effort. Test a corner first, and skip windows with film or tint.

Can I use paint on the outside of the window?

Yes, but weather can wash it off. Kaitlyn Edington suggests acrylic for outdoor displays, and it takes more effort to remove.

Can I paint a window with kids who are under two?

Very young children may put things in their mouths, so skip paint and use washable window markers with an AP Seal instead. Stay close, and keep the session short.

What if the paint streaks or runs?

Too much soap or water can make paint run. Stir in a little more paint, and use less on the brush. Wipe off any drips right away with a damp paper towel.

How do I protect the window frame?

Put painter’s tape along the frame edges, and peel it away when you’re done. Keep a damp cloth handy for drips.

How much paint do I need?

A small set of washable tempera is plenty for a few windows, and you can mix more as you go. Buy the AP-sealed kind and mix small batches with soap as you go.