Does your family love pottery painting? It makes a great party activity too!
My kids absolutely love a visit to the painting pottery studio (something that is usually saved for Chol Hamoed). They really take it seriously and quietly paint for–get this–at least 3 hours! They’re very perfectionistic about it and it’s literally probably the only time they can go so many hours without one fight between them.
So when I saw that Oriental Trading has so many adorable ceramics for such a low price, I knew I would bring the painting pottery to my home for my Chanukah party last year (where there would be a few dozen nieces and nephews).
They come in packs of a dozen for about $19.99 – just a little more than $1.50 a piece! I ordered a few dozen so there should be plenty to go around (enough for the adults to get painting too)!
For easy clean-up, I covered the table with kraft paper (on top of a tablecloth I don’t care about).
NOTE/Update: Thank you to those who commented below. While this is a great, fun craft activity, the ceramics and paint are not food-safe. We did not recommend painting any items which you would use to hold food (if you find ceramics elsewhere), nor does Oriental carry unglazed ceramics which are intended for food use.
About the paint:
I don’t know what kind of washable paint is used in ceramic studios. I did research to find out what kind of paint would both work on ceramics and be washable, and learned that tempera paint was the best option. And while I chose a paint that is labeled “washable,” I still told my guests to bring some junk clothes to put over their real clothes while painting (I didn’t want to be responsible if it didn’t come out!). In the end, the paint was washable, but some paint stains (basically the heavier paint stains that happened during the post-party painting when they were no longer had their clothing covered) needed some extra work and Oxyclean to come out. Only the Modge Podge did not. I still recommend painting with a smock/sweatshirt/t-shirt over your good “party” clothes.
About the glazing:
1-You have a few options with glazing since there’s obviously no kiln at home. The metallic paints that come in the paint set I bought look GORGEOUS and don’t need any glazing.
2-The next option is coating the ceramic piece with Modge Podge, but beware, I have not had success getting Mod Podge out of clothing.
3-The last option, which looks great but will entail a trip to the garage, is using a gloss finish spray paint.
You’ll need:
Not very appropriate or responsible to use a picture of kids painting mugs on an article that recommends tempra/acrylic paint and mod podge, which is NOT food safe! Very dangerous.
Whoa! Tempera paints & modge podge are not food safe. Very misleading.
That photo is going to make people think they can paint mugs and other food dishes with mod Podgorica and tempera paint – that should really be clarified somewhere or someone is going to try it. Not cool!
You need to do more research before you post an article. You could be held liable for misinformation that puts someone at risk. Tempera paint is not food safe, none of what you’ve reccomended here is accurate information. Do the smart thing and get take home kits from your local PYOP studio and save money, with the added bonus of supporting the local economy.
Also, paid ad by Oriental trading company much?
Showing kids painting mugs with acrylic or any non-fired paints/glazes is not responsible. Food items must be painted with ceramic glazes and must be kiln fired. Saving a few dollars takes away income from small business owners who have the knowledge to make the experience of painting the ceramics fun and SAFE.
Did Oriental Trading lay U for this?!
Your article is full of dangerous lies.
First, pottery studios do not use “washable” paint! We use pottery glazes that are fired in a kiln!
Our pottery is food safe! Yours is not!
Our pottery lasts a lifetime.
Yours does not!
Your have a responsibility to tell the truth to your readers.
You should take this ridiculous piece down or insert *warnings* to parents! Tell them washable paint — any paint other than legitimate pottery glazes — are for decoration only and never to be used on items like plates, bowls & cups.
Since U are not a responsible writer, I will do the right thing and tell parents where to find a pottery studio near them.
Click here to find a reputable studio near you. Most offer pottery to go so you can easily paint from home!
http://www.paintyourownpottery.com
While I applaud your efforts in bringing a fun activity to the attention of your readers, I am sad to ready the inaccuracy of the information provided. Tempera paint is washable, yes. Makes for a fun easily cleanable experience, for paper. Not so good on pottery that is expected to be be around or used for food. The main photo clearly is showing mugs, which by design and purpose are for beverages. It’s very misleading to say you can use this technique on food items. Have you every gotten Mod Podge wet after it dries? It can turn gummy and sticky again, which doesn’t not make it ideal for food. The washable paints used in Pottery Painting places are specific ceramic paints called glazes. These glazes are water soluble until fired in the kiln. The glazes go through a chemical change and create a glass-like barrier between the ceramics and yourself. Glazes are what make the pottery pieces food safe. Seems a bit more ‘research’ was needed for complete accuracy of this article.
Above I linked banks, boxes, and vases. I did not use any items which are meant to hold food. I hosted such a party and there was a fun time had by all and there is no danger painting a bank. Oriental doesn’t even sell non-glazed mugs or plates or items that you would use with food. The image on top is a general stock image and that is understood. .
This is YET a great affordable activity for a party that kids and adults will rave about.
This is NOT a replacement for a trip to the pottery studio! We fully recommend a trip to your local pottery studio to those that can afford, it really is an enjoyable and therapeutic activity! Definitely support your local pottery studios and plan a trip if you can!
This is simply a great on-budget option for a party activity when lots of people need to entertained for long periods of time.
But, yes, thank you for pointing out and I’m sure readers will note from the comments above that they should not look to paint items that would be used for food.
Oy Victoria- it’s Ilana from Pottery and Glass Land!
Where as this is definitely not the real thing – instead of labeling it “pottery” you should label it “ plaster”
Thanks!
Please message my page on Insta! I would like to speak with you thanks!
Wow, I guess you touched a nerve lol. I guess those commenting above assume that every person reading your article is unable to make critical decisions for themselves. What a fantastic idea! I am looking for ideas for a church event. There’ is no way I’m taking 150 people to a local ceramics studio. Thank you for such an awesome activity. And yes, I’ll make sure to give a 20 minute sermon on the dangerous nature of each finished piece.
Setting yourself up for some very irritated parents! The first time someone puts liquids in a mug or vase it’s an absolute poop show. Good luck with the fallout and managing those parents when they call out how badly it went off the rails! Nothing like a child ingesting peeling paint in a hot beverage.
Victoria, thank you for a well written article and fun activity idea. You seem to have hit a raw nerve with the commentators above, but I hope to try this activity with my kids one of these days and I appreciate how you put all the links right out there!
*Seemed to have hit a raw nerve with the family owned local pottery studio owners. But then again, you get what you pay for. Cheap product = cheap results. Contact your local pottery studio and support a small business instead of a million dollar company who has to pay bloggers so they can stay relevant.
Great fun activity. Looking forward to enjoying this with my kids!
It looks like all the comments are from the same person…
We always enjoy paint at home activities. Thanks!
It looks like a pottery place got nervous they would lose business due to BetweenCarpools popularity…
Can't wait to try. I always wished to do these kind of crafts with my kids but can't afford those expensive local pottery places. Thanks between carpools for coming to the rescue. Again.