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Kids Plates DIY

This post is sponsored by Hidden Valley Ranch.

This genius project is by Alexis Birkmeyer and I love it. These plates would be so great for a kids party or even just for dinnertime. Kids can create scenes from their food before they eat it. My kids loved these plates and it even got my picky eater to eat more vegetables. It makes mealtime just a little more fun. This project is super easy. You can make up your own drawings (they are so simple) or you can download ours below.

Find the full instructions and photos after the jump.

Supplies Needed: Free printable template (download here), an oven-safe plate (we used the medium size of these), a Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Marker, a pair of scissors, a pencil and a ball point pen.
Step 1: Trim the template along the outline so it sits inside the rim of the plate.
Step 2: On the back of the template, color a thick band of graphite over the design with a pencil.
Step 3: Put the template graphite side down on the plate. Trace over the design using a ball point pen. This will transfer the graphite to the plate. When you remove the template, you’ll have a light outline to trace over.
Step 4: Shake your pen to get the paint mixed up, then press the tip down on scrap paper to get it flowing. Trace the graphite lines in continuous strokes. If you mess up, the ink is very easy to wipe off with a damp paper towel or touch up with a q-tip.
Step 5: Once the designs have all been transferred, allow the plates to dry for 24 hours. Then, to permanently set the glaze, bake the plates in a 300° oven for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Serve up with lots of colors and shapes of vegetables. Bon Appetit!

Concept, styling, and photos by Alexis Birkmeyer.

 

  1. Candace {Lovestru.ck}

    May 10, 2012

    Can you tell me where you got those striped cups! I’ve been looking for some like that forever!
    Thank you

  2. Alexis

    May 10, 2012

    This reminds me of something we did as kids, using a kit (I think it was called Make-A-Plate or something…?) where you drew on special paper, then sent it in to be “cooked” and they sent you back melamine plates with your drawing on it. Your version is a bit more stylish though!

  3. Jess

    May 10, 2012

    How fun! And I love those napkins!

  4. Jan @ Family Bites

    May 10, 2012

    Brilliant! It opens the door for so many different plate possibilities…

  5. meg@thisweekendlife

    May 10, 2012

    I think I would be more inclined to eat all my veggies if I had plates like this. Kudos for an incredibly creative and simple idea!

  6. robync

    May 10, 2012

    This is awesome! I need it for my little man getting him to eat veggies is worse than getting a tooth pulled. Maybe if he thought they were fun he would eat them!
    http://knownitwasyou.blogspot.com

  7. Sarah

    May 10, 2012

    Awesome!!! I wish MY mom did this =) It’s like eating a story book. So fun!

    – Sarah
    agirlintransit.blogspot.com

  8. Lisette

    May 10, 2012

    Clever idea. I love the simplicity of it.

  9. tiffany

    May 10, 2012

    Oh this looks so sweet and lovely. I love peppers 🙂
    Lovely blog too
    xoxo

  10. Lissa (Bellenza)

    May 10, 2012

    Such a great idea for a children’s party, too! Would make such a fun activity. 🙂

  11. Fanny

    May 10, 2012

    Cool idea, will try it!

  12. doro K.

    May 10, 2012

    i LOVE it!

    I linked to your tutorial on my blog – thanks for sharing!

    doro K.

  13. Miss K

    May 10, 2012

    Wow, that end gif is impressive!

  14. thecircleofit

    May 10, 2012

    ok…serously, as i said on my blog…THIS BLOG MAKES ME SO HAPPY!!! between the balloons and this i cant stop smiling!!!!!!!!

  15. truebluemeandyou

    May 10, 2012

    I love these plates but am hesitant to use Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Paint Markers because this is what their own website says about the pens: Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Paint Markers contain no toxic ingredients, and conform to ASTM D-4236. These markers are not recommended for use on surfaces that come in contact with food. Pebeo’s PDF on the pens states, “Only the areas not intended to be put in contact with food must be decorated.” http://en.pebeo.com/Creative-leisure/Decorate-surfaces/Porcelaine-150 Amazon should mention this in their description of the pens – almost all the other sites selling these pens do.

  16. Becky Ramirez

    May 10, 2012

    I love these, so cute…..

  17. Mary from O+A

    May 10, 2012

    awww! This is the cutest! I always see the faces where you can arrange the veggies as hair but this is just lovely!

  18. Rae Veda

    May 10, 2012

    This is so darling! I may have to try this with the kiddos I nanny this summer. xo, rv

    http://aneclecticheap.blogspot.com/

  19. Vanessa {vanilla and rose}

    May 10, 2012

    How fun!!

  20. KATIE

    May 10, 2012

    this is the best thing ever!!!!
    LOVE.LOVE
    XOXO,KT
    TheSouthernBeautyNerd

  21. Freya

    May 10, 2012

    Such a cute idea!

  22. Mar

    May 11, 2012

    I love it!!!

  23. Tina Fussell

    May 11, 2012

    This is brilliant! I love it!!

  24. Kate

    May 11, 2012

    OH my gosh, so cute. I’m not too old for this, am I? 🙂

    (Oh, and welcome back to the U.S.!)

  25. Amy P

    May 11, 2012

    @Candace (Lovestru.ck) – I think the striped cups were at Ikea two summers ago. I still have some in my cupboard :). This year they have very pretty flowery ones (think Liberty fabric style).

  26. Judy Havrilla

    May 11, 2012

    That is so cute! The fact that you drew the background/template elements on the plate is really clever. Well done!

    P.S. Made a mother’s day printable card today; turned out nice, thought you might like. It folds in quarters on 8.5×11 paper so it’s easy to make.

  27. ana {bluebirdkisses}

    May 11, 2012

    LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this! thank you so much for sharing. I’m going to try this on the weekend. So very fun

  28. HHC

    May 11, 2012

    I do not think those markers are food safe. Maybe instead a homemade mixture of food safe coloring and mayonnaise?

    http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6461973

  29. am

    May 11, 2012

    How about using clear glass plates and putting the drawing on the underside? The ink won’t come into contact with food that way.

  30. lenya

    May 13, 2012

    Oh wow, I think that would convince kids to eat their veggies!

  31. Alisha @ Your Kid's Table

    May 13, 2012

    This is very creative and helpful! I have lots of other tips to help a “picky eater” on my blog, if anyone needs help. I hope to link this up soon. Thank You!

  32. Amanda | Little Door On The Sound

    May 14, 2012

    Love this – I don’t know where you come up with all of these amazing ideas!

  33. Angela Marie

    May 15, 2012

    This is so cute! It might even make ME eat my vegetables!

    – Angela Marie @ http://sunkissedivory.blogspot.com

  34. Donna

    May 22, 2012

    I am so HAPPY that I found you! I was looking for a design that had the kids draw a picture of their faces on a white ceramic plate. I like this idea better so you can challenge and teach the kids that Culinary Arts means just that. I too am a little concerned about the disclaimer with the ink and food contact. I am going to make a sample tomorrow and try to find a clear plate at the Dollar Tree Store, I remember they usually carry them. The design can be put on the back so it won’t come in contact with the food. I am going to try it with the kids making interchangeable place mats under a clear glass plate as well. I also thought the design can go on the plate and perhaps we can use clear saran wrap or waxed paper over the plate so you can still see the design. I teach a cooking program for kids after school. This will be perfect for the table etiquette lesson! Thanks so much…..for your genius in all of your projects!!!!!

Comments are Closed

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