Create Art Out of Old Cups and Plates!
Turn old cups and plates into colorful mosaics, sculptures, or wind chimes using safe cutting, painting, gluing, and designing to learn creativity and recycling.
About this activity
Turn old cups and plates into colorful mosaics, sculptures, or wind chimes using safe cutting, painting, gluing, and designing to learn creativity and recycling.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all your materials and set up a clear workspace where you can make a little mess.
- 2
Step 2
Wash and dry your cups and plates so they are clean and ready to work with.
- 3
Step 3
Put on safety gloves and goggles to protect your hands and eyes.
- 4
Step 4
Ask an adult to help you carefully break the cups and plates into pieces you like.
- 5
Step 5
Sort the broken pieces by color shape and size into little piles so it is easy to find what you need.
- 6
Step 6
Smooth any very sharp edges of the pieces with sandpaper while an adult watches and helps.
- 7
Step 7
Decide whether you will make a mosaic sculpture or a wind chime so you know the steps to follow next.
- 8
Step 8
If you chose a wind chime ask an adult to drill small holes in some pieces and attach string so the pieces can hang.
- 9
Step 9
Arrange your pieces on your base or in a hanging layout to create a design you love.
- 10
Step 10
If you are making a mosaic or sculpture apply glue to one area of the base where you want to start.
- 11
Step 11
Press your pieces onto the glued areas one at a time following your design and let the glue set.
- 12
Step 12
Paint any details or add extra decorations to your project and let the paint dry completely.
- 13
Step 13
Brush or spray a clear sealant over your finished project to protect it and let the sealant dry.
- 14
Step 14
Tidy your workspace and put away tools and leftover pieces safely with an adult.
- 15
Step 15
Share a photo of your finished creation on DIY.org so everyone can see your recycled art!
Fun facts
How do I make mosaics, sculptures, or wind chimes from old cups and plates?
Start by cleaning and sorting cups and plates by color and material. Plan your design, then safely break or cut pieces using tile nippers or have an adult score and snap ceramics. Sand sharp edges and arrange tiles before gluing. For mosaics, glue pieces to a wood or cardboard base and grout when dry. For sculptures, build a sturdy armature with wire or clay and attach shards with strong adhesive. For wind chimes, drill small holes (adult use) and string pieces with fishing line and beads; seal
What materials do I need to create art from old cups and plates?
You’ll need old ceramic or plastic cups and plates, safety gloves and goggles, tile nippers or a hammer and cloth for breaking, sanding stone or file, strong adhesive (E6000 or construction glue), grout for mosaics, wood or heavy cardboard base, drill with ceramic bit for wind chimes (adult use), fishing line or wire, paint and brushes, and a clear sealer. Optional: beads, felt backing, and a small saw for armatures—adults should handle power tools.
What ages is creating art from old cups and plates suitable for?
This activity suits different ages with supervision adjustments. Ages 4–6 can paint, sort pieces, and glue pre-cut shards with close adult help. Ages 7–10 can help chip softer plastics and design mosaics while an adult handles breaking or drilling. Ages 11+ can participate in cutting, drilling, and more complex assembly if supervised and trained in tool use. Never let young children handle sharp ceramic pieces alone; always prioritize protective gear and adult involvement.
What are the benefits of making art from old cups and plates?
Upcycling dishes boosts creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills while teaching recycling and resourcefulness. Kids learn planning, color matching, and patience during design and assembly. It encourages environmental awareness by reusing materials and offers a family-friendly project that builds teamwork and pride in finished pieces. Art made this way can become long-lasting decor, gifts, or learning examples for STEM concepts like balance and structure.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of safety gloves, goggles, sandpaper, or a drill if those items are hard to find?
If you don't have the recommended safety gloves or goggles from the instructions, use thick gardening or leather gloves and close-fitting safety glasses or a face shield for step 3, smooth sharp edges with an emery board or nail file instead of sandpaper in step 5, and replace adult-drilled holes in step 8 by using jewelry eye pins, pre-drilled wooden beads, or glueing pieces to pre-drilled spacers for a wind chime.
What should we do if pieces crack when drilling or the tiles won't stick to the base?
To prevent cracking during step 8 have an adult drill slowly with a ceramic/glass bit and a little water or use pre-drilled spacers, and if pieces don't adhere in step 11 wash and dry them again (step 2), use a stronger epoxy or mosaic adhesive and hold pieces with tape or weights until the glue sets.
How can we change the activity for younger children or make it more challenging for older kids?
For younger kids skip breaking and drilling in steps 4 and 8 and let them arrange and glue pre-broken safe-edged tiles or whole cups/plates in step 9 while supervising step 3, and for older kids allow them to do the breaking (step 4), sanding (step 5), drilling (step 8), and design a more complex mosaic or sculpture in steps 9–11.
How can we enhance or personalize our finished mosaic sculpture or wind chime?
After pressing pieces in step 11 consider grouting the gaps for a finished look, add beads or LED fairy lights to the wind chime strings before sealing in step 13, paint custom details in step 12, and then photograph your sealed project to share on DIY.org in step 15.