Crafts
Father's DayToddlersPreschoolers23 Comments
Father’s Day quickly snuck up on me this year. And I’ve had a great idea for the boys to make for Dad this year.
It seems we’ve been breaking our cereal bowls left and right lately.
Plus, my husband hates the dishes we have. So new cereal bowls are in order for him.
And to decorate them ourselves would be all the better, right?
I found this Pinterest Pin from The Phobia (which was a boughten mug from Etsy) which led me to Young House Love that decorated mugs with Sharpies from, only to read that they’re not food safe.
If you want them food safe, there’s a special marker (affiliate link) for that, Our Humble A{bow}d has a post on those.
As usual, I use what I have on hand. And that’s Sharpie markers.
So I decided to only decorate the outside of the bowls. Although, how cute would it be to write ‘I Love You Dad’ at the bottom of the bowl for him to find when he finishes his cereal every morning?
I also used bowls that I found easily when I was grocery shopping. I found Corelle bowls, that I thought would work great. You’re supposed to use porcelain bowls. Whoops. Not the same. Read on to find out my dilemma. Next time I’ll order porcelain cereal bowls (affiliate link) instead.
(See my EXCITING UPDATE at the end of the post!)
So anyway, here’s what we did. Pretty simple.
I handed the bowls to the boys along with the ‘special’ Sharpie markers.
After a quick goof that George marked up the counter (at my Mom’s!), I put down a layer of newspaper to protect the surface.
(No worries though, Sharpie comes off really easily with fingernail polish remover, just don’t overdo it.)
And they decorated the bowls… I decorated one too. I would have loved to have them try to draw something on them, but they’re just not there yet.
I was hoping Henry would write his name on it.
But it would have been upside down if he had. He did write Dad on one, yay!Sounding it out to figure out the letters along the way.
George didn’t last very long, but he did try coloring some of it.
His is pretty bare when you look at it right side up. He mostly colored the very bottom.
One the fourth bowl, I wrote D-A-D on it big so it could be seen when he’s using it. Then had Henry color in around it.
Once the boys were finished with it, I stuck them in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
(I checked the Corelle website to make sure they were oven proof, and they are.)
I took them out and let them cool. Then I did my test. Would it wash off? Unfortunately, yes.
I later put them in the oven again at 350 degrees for another hour. And still, it washes off. Bummer! Seriously. I’m so bummed.
So yes, next time I’ll be buying real porcelain dishes to decorate and get it right. And I suggest you guys do the same if you try it.
Let me know if you have any luck with it too. I’m very curious if I’m just doing something wrong, or if it’s just the material. So, these bowls will be for display I guess… since they can’t be washed.
I was really hoping for a useful gift for Dad this year.
What are your kids getting Dad this year? Last year we made some drums from balloons and tin cans. (Not really useful, but fun and Dad plays the drums!)
**EXCITING UPDATE!!!**
The bowls have sat a good day and I just tried to wash them again. This time it did not rub off. It did slightly fade with a LOT of rubbing. So maybe it will be good through some hand washes!
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Cashe says
I wonder if you could use dishwasher safe mode podge so the writing doesn’t wear off.
Tabitha Lightfoot says
That’s a great idea! It’s worth a try – let us know how it goes if you do!
Amanda says
Did you use the oil based sharpie or just a regular sharpie? For this type of craft the oil based work more permanent and washable. BUT all is not lost for your bowls. Just use them as something less washed like a bowl for keys at the front door, candy, odds and ends holder for a desk, to hold cotton balls or bathroom stuff.
Pam jaggs says
brush very with clear nail varnish to seal
same as glass painting decorate a glass jar and fill with dad’s favourite sweets
Jan says
I personally do not need to get motivated. Probably most people on your website don’t need to get motivated. The fact that we are looking for activities for our kids probably demonstrates our motivation. I just need new ideas, that’s all, and I appreciate the ideas you share.
Caitlin says
This is kind of a nasty comment.
Lyfboat@ Prostate Cancer Treatment in India says
Great decoration.
Kristin says
I know this is a really old post, but if it came up on page 1 of Google for me it will for others too, so I’ll share this tip anyway. While researching this project, I read that the marker can be wiped off or smudged if the dish is still warm. The best method is to decorate the dish, place it in the oven, turn on the oven (don’t preheat it! Let the dishes heat up with the oven or they may crack with the sudden temp difference!), and then wait until the oven and dishes are completely cool before removing them. That would probably be why they were fine after a day or two and not right away. :)
Amie says
So cute, we did this with our church kids last night!.I cleaned the Dollar Tree out of their white coffee mugs and small plates. They had a blast! The black Sharpie sticks best, not sure why…but since they used color too I spayed them with a quick coat of mod podge while they were still warm out of oven.
Elaine says
Great idea! I’m glad it worked out!
Jeany says
Veronica they are called Mak-It Plates/Bowls/Trays and they are really awesome. I have many from mommy and me classes over the years. But they usually are only affordable in groups. Which is why this particular project caught my eye. Great idea and worth a few test runs :)
Sandi says
May I ask, does it then make the bowls “food safe” once they have sat long enough to cure so it won’t easily come off? I’m assuming no but asking anyway. Also, I’m hoping I’m wrong!
Jamie says
I honestly don’t know. That’s why I kept the markers to the outside of the bowl so food wouldn’t actually be touching the markers.
JDaniel4's Mom says
I am so glad it worked out! What a fun idea!
Jamie says
Thanks! :) I’m seriously excited that it turned out too. I was getting really bummed.
Veronica says
I wonder where I can find some porcelain ones. I really want to let my kids make some. That’s a really neat project if I can find the right bowls. I remember when I was little and my school class drew pictures on a circle paper that was sent in and made into plates. I wonder if someone still does that?
Jamie says
The Corelle ones ended up working out. After sitting for a day or two I ran mine through the dishwasher with absolutely no fading/erasing. I’m so excited!
Debbie says
Yes the company is called Makit Products. I believe they are out of Texas.
Amy K. says
Rubbing alcohol will take off sharpie as well, and won’t be as hard on the counter as nail polish remover!
Jamie says
Awesome suggestion!!
Jackie @ Happy Hooligans says
Oh, I was so bummed to read that they wiped off after the oven trick. But great to know that after sitting, they’ve set a bit. If you can put a clear coat of craft varnish on them, without your ink smearing, they’ll be washable! I use a matte varnish. I’m too lazy to run downstairs right now, so I’ll see if I can find a link to the brand, and I’ll shoot it over to you.