Chihuly Art Project for Kids with Melted Plates

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Looking for an art project that combines creativity, color, science, and a bit of wow factor? This kid-friendly Dale Chihuly art project is a perfect blend of all of that—and it makes for an incredible collaborative display!

We’ll be mimicking the look of Chihuly’s iconic Fiori di Como—a masterpiece made of more than 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers that hang from the ceiling of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. But instead of using real glass, we’ll create beautiful flower-like sculptures using plastic plates!

Who Is Dale Chihuly?

Dale Chihuly is a world-renowned American glass artist from Tacoma, Washington. He is known for pushing the boundaries of traditional glassblowing. His work is large-scale, bold, and bursting with color. He often creates swirling, organic shapes that resemble flowers, sea forms, and abstract sculptures.

Chihuly began working with glass in the 1960s and later became known for using teams of artists to help bring his visions to life—making his work a wonderful inspiration for collaborative classroom and homeschool projects.

One of his most famous works, Fiori di Como, is a glass ceiling filled with colorful overlapping flower shapes. That masterpiece is the inspiration behind this hands-on art project for kids.

How Make the Chihuly Art Project

Materials:

Clear plastic plates (thin, party-style works best)
Permanent markers in bright colors (Sharpies)
Aluminum foil
Baking sheet
Oven
Fishing line for hanging the final display

Instructions:

1. Color the Plates

Have each child decorate one or more clear plastic plates (you could also use a plastic bowl) using bright permanent markers.

Encourage creative designs—swirls, dots, stripes, flowers, or abstract patterns. The more color, the better! Pull out the color wheel and do some using just primary or secondary colors.

2. Melt and Shape (Adult Step)

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). (Could also be done in a toaster oven if needed.)
Place the colored plates upside down on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 2 minutes, watching closely. The plastic will curl, ripple, and take on new organic shapes. Carefully remove and let cool.

Safety Note: Only adults should handle the oven. Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area, and supervise closely while melting plastic.

3. Assemble the Art

Once cooled, each plate will resemble a mini glass sculpture. If you would like to display them, attach them to a large piece of cardboard, foam board, or a bulletin board with hot glue or glue dots. Let kids arrange them however they like—overlapping, layering, or in rows. You can also hang them from the ceiling or in a window as stained glass art individually using fishing line or string.

Science Tie-In: What Happens in the Oven?

This Chihuly art project is a fun introduction to thermoplastics—a type of plastic that becomes soft when heated and hardens again when it cools. Remember shrinky dinks?

When the plastic plates are heated, the molecules move more freely, allowing the plate to warp and bend into new shapes. As it cools, those molecules lock into place. It’s a simple, safe way to explore how heat can change the properties of materials—just like real glassblowing, but without the risk!

Safety Note About Melting Plastic

This art project involves gently heating clear plastic plates in the oven to create a sculptural, glass-like effect. When heated at low temperatures (around 350°F), you may notice a slight plastic smell. This is common and not typically harmful, especially when done in a well-ventilated space.

To stay safe:

Only adults should handle the oven step.
Open windows or use a fan while baking to increase airflow.
Avoid overheating or using unknown types of plastic.
Watch the plates closely and remove them as soon as they begin to warp and curl (usually within 1–2 minutes).

Collaborative Art in Action

One of the most inspiring aspects of Dale Chihuly’s art work is his collaboration.. He works with a team to create large-scale installations—something you can easily recreate with your students or children.

Here are a few ways to turn this into a meaningful group project:

School-Wide Display: Have each class or grade create their own set of “glass” flowers for a shared hallway ceiling.
Family Art Night: Invite parents and kids to create flowers together for a community art piece.
Theme Week Tie-In: Use the Chihuly art project during art week, color theory units, or when studying famous artists.

Educational Extensions

Art History Lesson: Learn about other work of Dale Chihuly like The Sun, Macchia Forest, or Seaforms.
Science: Discuss polymers, thermoplastics, or how real glass is made.
Literature Tie-In: Read this picture book biography: A Flash of Color and Light: A Biography of Dale Chihuly or a book about creativity (like The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds).

This Chihuly-inspired plastic plate art project is more than just a fun craft—it’s a colorful combination of science, creativity, teamwork, and inspiration. Kids love seeing how their individual pieces come together to form a stunning whole, just like Chihuly’s ceiling installations.

Also check out the Melted Cup Sun-Catcher Garland we made!

Chihuly Art Project for Kids with Melted Plates

Who Is Dale Chihuly?