Paint a Plate with Little Ones (A Family Keepsake DIY)

I just love decorating items that will become part of our home. Plates, with their round canvas and decorative edges, are perfect for a family art project, so save this idea for a rainy afternoon activity.

I’ve been day dreaming about painting scalloped plates for months now. The time has finally come - one large plate for me to decorate, and two smaller scalloped plates for two little ducklings! The plan is to hang them on our kitchen wall as a special reminder of an afternoon filled with creativity and togetherness!

If you’d like to try something similar with your little ones, here’s a simple step-by-step guide.

What You’ll Need

• Ceramic plates

• If you want them to be food-safe, you’ll need to use ceramic paint (you can buy them as pens too). If, like mine, they’re decorative only, then you can use acrylic pens (that’s what I used)

• Fine and medium brushes (if not using pens)

• A water pot and paper towels

• Aprons or old clothes (this can get messy!)

• Optional: a pencil for sketching designs

• Plate hangers or adhesive disc hangers (for displaying on the wall later - you can order them later and I have a list to help you below - but be sure to buy the correct size)

Step 1: Prepare the Plates

Give your plates a good wash and dry to remove any dust or grease. If they’ve been stored away, a quick wipe with rubbing alcohol can help the paint stick better.

Step 2: Brainstorm Designs Together

If the kids are old enough, talk about what they’d like to paint. You can keep it open-ended (“what’s your favourite animal/flower/shape?”) or choose a theme like garden flowers, sunshine and rainbows, or even family portraits.

If you want to plan a design before painting, tear some baking paper to the size of your plate. Sketch your design in pencil on the paper, then flip it over and shade the back with pencil to create a simple carbon effect. Place the paper right side up on the plate and trace over the lines - the pencil marks will transfer neatly onto the surface, giving you a guide to follow when painting. PS: This exercise can be handy as well as a good art technique to learn for older kids (and grown-ups), but I encourage you to let the little ones paint freely onto their plates without worrying too much about design and structure.

💡 Tip: For scalloped plates, the edges can frame the artwork beautifully. Encourage your child to use dots, lines, or simple patterns around the rim while you work on a central design.

Step 3: Start Painting!

• For children: Paint pens are brilliant - they’re less runny and give more control. Show your child how to make dots, wavy lines, or simple shapes.

• For adults: Use brushes to add details, layered colours, or even hand-lettering if you’d like to add a date or phrase.

• Don’t worry about perfection—the charm lies in the playful brushstrokes and unique marks your child makes.

• When decorating your plate, you can use a damp cloth to rub things off, but try not to do it too much! Imperfections add to the unique character!

Luca (my 2-year-old) started off very promising! He made some beautiful blobbed strokes and proudly announced, “Sunshine!” I thought—wow, what a great idea, I love sunshines! Then he added greens and blues, followed by a giant wash of water across the plate, which rubbed most of it away. These things happen! But he was having a blast washing it all off, so that’s exactly what he did. The next day, I asked if he wanted to try painting his sunshine again, and it looks amazing.

Diego (5) knew straight away what he wanted: love hearts. From the very first time I mentioned this craft, he was set on that idea. Once he started, he explored other colours and marks, but midway he got frustrated when things didn’t go as planned and asked for another plate. I encouraged him: “We can do this again another time - it’s great that you’re exploring the materials.” That seemed to help. He especially loved it when I painted the rim of my plate and decided to do the same on his - it gave his plate such a special finished look.

Step 4: Let It Dry and Set

Leave the plates for at least 24 hours so the paint can cure. This prevents smudging when you move on to sealing.

• If you’d like them to be food-safe and are using ceramic paints or pens, follow the instructions on your product. Some need to air-dry, while others require baking in the oven to set permanently. This process ensures your plates will last and can be safely hand-washed.

• If they’re decorative plates only (not food-safe): acrylic paint pens are a great choice, but you’ll need to apply a varnish on top to seal the design. Apply 2–3 coats, letting each one dry completely before the next (check your sealer’s instructions for drying times).

Sealer options:

• Clear acrylic spray sealer (matte, satin, or gloss finish) → quick, even coverage.

• Brush-on clear varnish (water-based polyurethane or Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer) → thicker, durable coat.

✨ If you’d like a long-lasting, wipe-clean finish, I recommend a spray sealer. That’s what I used—and make sure to spray it outdoors for safety.

Step 5: Display with Pride

Once your plates are completely dry and set, attach plate hangers or adhesive discs to the back. Arrange them on your wall as a little gallery of family creativity. We hung ours in the kitchen so we see them every day.

Suggested Plate Hangers:

1. Disc 14226 75mm Adhesive Plate Hanger, Yellow

   75mm (≈3”) self-adhesive disc

   For plates up to about 8″ diameter.

2. X No1 13-19 cm Spring Wire Plate Hanger (White), 14022

   Traditional wire spring type — good if your plate has a scalloped edge or uneven rim where a rigid disc might not sit flat.

3. Winsome / Strong Invisible Self-Adhesive Disc Plate Hangers (100mm / 4″)

   Larger disc, flat look, invisible style — ideal for showing off painted back without visible wires or clips.

A Note on Painting with Children

The key is to keep it light and joyful. Give your child their own plate so they feel ownership over their artwork. Don’t rush the process - embrace the messy fingerprints and unexpected colour choices. Years from now, those wonky little marks and “mistakes” will be the most precious parts.

Final Thoughts

My mum always had plates displayed on the walls in her house, and painting ours brought so much warmth to my heart. Next stop - making our own plates using air-dry clay (watch this space)!

How good would these be as a gift to family members? Not only a thoughtful gift, but a practical one too!

So next rainy afternoon, grab some plates and paints, and see what magic your family creates

Let me know how you get on, I’d love to see your creations!

Until next time,

Itala