Painting Plates

[Twims]

I saw one of those paint your own cup things today in town and wondered if you could just use normal kids paint and paint on to for example one of the basic sainsbury's plates, would that work or would you need special paint and a special type of plate?

you need a special type of plate because the paint is covered with a kiln fired glaze before use.

I have done this with ordinary cheapest ikea plates and porcelain paints. Once baked the design stays very well for handwashing but not so well in the dishwasher. I've found that if you want to do it for a fun rainy afternoon or birthday activity it's fine, nice and cheap and the children can make mistakes a-plenty. They get something to take home or eat off for a couple of weeks and after that it doesn't really matter.

Doing it this way, if the paint dries without being baked, you can peel it off and start again.

Porcelain paints are not cheap but you don't use a lot at a time and you can do it again and again and again. It's an activity my children and their friends enjoyed repeatedly, and a good fall back.

You can also get them to paint dirt cheap white tiles and stuff.

Will have a look for some porcelain paint - had wanted to do handprints etc - might just get a canvas - as wanted a keepsake type thing as Christmas gifts.

Thank You