A homemade mug is such a fun way to show Dad just how special he is! This Father’s Day mug craft is simple, creative, and perfect for kids to help with. You can personalize it with a heartfelt message, fun shapes, and all of Dad’s favourite colours!
Whether you’re going for bold designs or something sweet and subtle, this paint pen decorated mug is a keepsake he’ll treasure. It’s a great gift idea that’s practical, sentimental, and surprisingly easy to make!
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How to Make a Father’s Day Mug Craft
Materials:
- Ceramic mug (white or light colour)
- 3D letter stickers
- Oil based paint markers
Equipment:
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Prepare the mug
- Remove any stickers or tags from a neutral coloured mug and make sure it’s clean. Rubbing alcohol is good for removing any fingerprint grease.
- Spell out a message for Dad, attaching raised letter stickers to the side of a mug.
- You can also attach adhesive foam star or heart stickers. Wherever you place these stickers will stay the same colour as the mug while you colour around them.
Step 3: Paint your mug
- Use an oil based paint marker to colour on the mug. Make sure you get right against the stickers and all around them, so you’ll see the shapes later.
- Repeat with different colours, creating a pattern. You can do large colour blocks, or smaller dot designs – whatever you like. Allow the paint marker to dry for several hours.
Step 4: Bake the mug
- Remove the stickers from the mug. If there is adhesive left from the stickers, use rubbing alcohol on a Q-Tip to remove it. It will remove the paint as well, so be very careful.
- Place the mug on a tray in the oven, before the oven is heated. Set the oven to 400F and bake for 30 minutes (including the preheating time).Then turn the oven off and allow the mug to cool in the oven until it reaches room temperature.
- Your Father’s Day mug craft is complete!
- Experiment with stripes, dots, and different messages for Dad!
Helpful Tips:
- After baking your mug, it’ll be safe to hand wash. We haven’t tested ours in a dishwasher, though some paint brands say they’re top rack dishwasher safe after baking.
- Paint markers are not food safe, so be sure to avoid drawing inside the mug or anywhere you might put your mouth.
What kind of mugs work best for this Father’s Day mug craft?
Look for a plain, light-coloured ceramic mug with a smooth surface for mug painting. Most dollar stores and craft stores carry inexpensive blank ceramic mugs. You can also buy them online, individually or in packs.
Where can I get the stickers for this DIY Father’s Day mug?
You can get alphabet stickers for painted mugs at most craft stores and dollar stores. Look for stickers with a raised edge, like foam stickers. They create a cleaner outline when painting around them, and they’re easier to remove without smudging the paint.
How can I protect my hand painted mug from fading and scuffs?
To keep your coffee mug craft looking its best, be sure to use oil-based paint pens to help the colours stay vibrant after baking. Although they should be top-rack dishwasher safe after baking, for best results and longevity, we recommend gently handwashing your mug. Avoid soaking or scrubbing the painted areas.
This DIY Father’s Day mug is such a fun and easy project that kids and adults will both enjoy making. It’s personal, creative, and gives Dad something he can actually use—plus it’s filled with love! Whether you go wild with colours or keep it classic, this homemade gift is sure to bring a smile to his face.
Here’s even more DIY Father’s Day gift ideas:
I Love You to Pieces Picture Frame
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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