How to Make Placemats that Kids Can Stencil on the Dinner Table

This simple craft project is a great way to create a unique family dinner with user friendly placemats that are already stenciled onto the table. This simple and easy craft project is perfect for kids and adults. Nest of all you can easily wipe your table down after a messy dinner or a round of craft projects and homework that exploded!

To Make a Stenciled Placemats on Your Dinner Table You Will Need:

1 Kitchen Table

Sheets of Acetate

Stencil Brush

Exacto Knife

Acrylic paints

Painter's Tape

Milk or Acrylic Paint (optional)

Sand Paper (optional)

Wood gel stain (optional)

Thin black Sharpie Markers

Stencil Adhesive spray

Polyurethane

Ok, this is such a fun and unique family craft project. The possibilities are endless and your own table will never be like anyone else's! So, get the kids involved and spend a weekend creating this awesome stenciled placemat table for the entire family. Each family member can stencil and paint their own unique placemat for a fun and whimsical look.

The first thing you need to do is find a table. This table can be wood or laminate. If you have an old table you don't mind transforming, this will be a great use for it.

Go ahead and lightly sand your table. Whether it is wood or laminate will need alight sanding.

Wipe the dust away with a dry cloth.

Roll on a coat of Kilz primer. This primer works well on laminate furniture as well as wood furniture.

Allow this primer to dry, and then paint on a coat of paint in any color or style you want. I always recommend milk paint. It looks great on wood and is very durable.

Now for the real fun. You need to create some stenciled placemats using your family as inspiration.

To do this you will need one sheet for acetate per family member. Have everyone choose his or her favorite spot at the dinner table and start working!

Go ahead and get a large piece of paper and draw out your own placemat. Start with a fun border.

After the border you can ad your name in the middle. You could also draw in the family pet or any fun activities you like to do.

Lay the acetate sheet on top of you placemat artwork.

Use the thin or extra fine Sharpie to trace out the details that are the most important.