Creative Kids: Handmade Tile Coasters

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Amazon.com, and will receive a small commission if the links on this page are used to make a purchase.

A Wonderful Party Craft

This craft was a big hit at our Valentines Day party last year!  These coasters are easy to make (preschoolers will need some help), inexpensive, and FUN!  Each child can express himself or herself in a unique way.  The craft can also be adapted to any occasion or holiday.

I followed this tutorial from Family Your Way for the most part, except that we didn’t use the spray adhesive on the felt, just tacky glue.  Also, for each child I cut out a square cardstock template that was slightly smaller (about an 1/8″ on each side) than the tiles we used.  This turned out to be very helpful, and made it much faster to measure and cut the paper.

For the younger ones (preschool and kindergarten), I used one of my templates to draw squares on a blank piece of paper.  I then let them color with crayons or markers to their hearts’ content.  When they were done, I cut out the squares and followed the Mod Podge directions in the tutorial.  A great way to preserve a child’s artwork!  The Mod Podge had an unexpected (to me) effect on the paper colored with markers – the markers bled a little bit and the result was pretty neat.

For the older ones, I provided blank paper for those who wanted to color or draw their own picture, and scrapbooking paper for those who wanted to cut shapes.  They all had a ball!

Note: If you make these at a party, you may have to spray the tiles with the clear acrylic sealer after the guests have gone home, and deliver them later.  The sealer should be sprayed on after the Mod Podge has dried.

Valentines Party Making Tile Coasters

You will need:

  • This tutorial from Family Your Way
  • 4″ square plain ceramic tiles (find the tiles at Home Depot or Lowes for less than 20 cents each.)
  • Square cardstock templates, one for each child (cut out about 1/8″ smaller than your tiles on each side)
  • White scrapbook paper
  • Colored and printed scrapbook paper
  • Scissors or paper cutter
  • Pencils
  • Crayons, markers and/or paint
  • Paintbrushes (if using paint)
  • Mod Podge (I used Gloss-Lustre, but you could use the Satin if preferred)
  • Foam brushes for Mod Podge
  • Clean styrofoam meat trays for Mod Podge
  • Spray adhesive or Tacky Glue
  • Clear acrylic sealer
  • Felt squares for bottom of tiles (I cut them to the appropriate size ahead of time using the cardstock template mentioned above)

Valentines Party Making Tile Coasters a

Use the cardstock template to trace a square on decorative scrapbook paper.

Valentines Party Making Tile Coasters 1

Pour the Mod Podge in the styrofoam tray (have at least one tray per two children).  Then spread a thin, even layer of Mod Podge on the tile with a foam brush.

Valentines Party Making Tile Coasters 2

Place the paper on the tile over the Mod Podge, and use your fingers to make sure there are no bubbles and that it is securely adhered.

Valentines Party Making Tile Coasters 3

Valentines Party Making Tile Coasters b

Spread another layer of Mod Podge over the paper.  You can add more shapes on top of your first layer of paper, just be sure to spread another layer of Mod Podge over the top layer.

Valentines Party Making Tile Coasters 4

A completed piece. Once this was dry, I sprayed it with the clear acrylic sealer.

Valentines Party Making Tile Coasters 2 Finished

More completed pieces!  Be sure to check out the complete tutorial on the Family Your Way site. Have fun!

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Amazon.com, and will receive a small commission if the links on this page are used to make a purchase.


Text and Images Copyright 2014 Kathryn Depew

Creativity kits for kids!

2 Responses to Creative Kids: Handmade Tile Coasters

  1. […] heart-shaped paper mache boxes to decorate.  The older girls are going to decoupage their boxes (see the tiles we made last year – they had so much fun last year that I decided to bring out the Mod Podge […]

  2. […] little thinking on my part to come up with an activity that they will all enjoy. Last year we made tile coasters, and it was a big hit!   See how we did it […]

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