How to Make a Tile Mosaic for Kids

Make a simple tile mosaic using basic craft supplies.

When you make a standard tile mosaic, broken ceramic or glass is reconstructed into a decorative display piece. However, broken pieces of ceramic or glass are very sharp, and should not be handled by children. If you are making a tile mosaic with children, use alternative materials that can be found at any arts and crafts store, such as polymer clay. This enables kids to understand how to make a tile mosaic without potentially cutting their little hands in the process.

Things You'll Need

• Polymer clay
• Rolling pin
• Clay knife
• Ruler
• Cookie tray
• Acrylic paint, colored
• Paintbrush
• Tacky glue
• Glitter glue

Instructions

1. Using a rolling pin, roll out 16 oz. of polymer clay into a sheet that is 1/4 inch thick.

2. Using a clay knife, cut out a square from the polymer clay sheet that measures eight inches on all sides. Set the clay square aside.

3. Cut out 16 shapes from the remaining clay sheet using the clay knife, each measuring approximately two inches. Cut out regular shapes, such as squares, triangles or trapezoids.

4. Place the clay square and the cut out shapes onto a cookie tray. Bake the shapes in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 minutes, then let the clay shapes cool for 30 minutes.

5. Paint the cut-out shapes using different colors of acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry for 30 minutes.

6. Place the baked clay square flat onto a table top, and cover the surface of the square with tacky glue.

7. Place the cut-out shapes onto the glue-covered square, positioning the shapes so that they fit together like a puzzle. Allow the glue to dry for 30 minutes.

8. Squeeze lines of glitter glue in between each shape. Allow the glitter glue to dry for 30 more minutes before displaying the handmade tile mosaic.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep hot polymer clay out of the reach of children and it can cause burns on the skin.