Take the Tray Painting Challenge
Decorate a wooden or cardboard tray using paint, stencils, and sealant. Practice planning designs, color mixing, and safe brush techniques.
About this activity
Decorate a wooden or cardboard tray using paint, stencils, and sealant. Practice planning designs, color mixing, and safe brush techniques.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Lay the drop cloth or newspaper on your table and place your tray and materials on top.
- 2
Step 2
If your tray is wooden lightly sand the surface until it feels smooth.
- 3
Step 3
Wipe the tray with a damp cloth to remove dust.
- 4
Step 4
Let the tray dry completely before you start painting.
- 5
Step 5
Use a pencil to draw a simple plan or sketch of your design on the tray.
- 6
Step 6
Squeeze small amounts of paint onto your plate or palette and mix colors to make the shades you want.
- 7
Step 7
Practice your brush strokes and pressure on scrap paper to see how the paint moves.
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Step 8
Apply masking tape to block off areas or create straight edges for your design.
- 9
Step 9
Paint the large background areas with a flat brush or foam brush using even strokes.
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Step 10
Paint smaller details with a small round brush using light controlled strokes.
- 11
Step 11
Hold a stencil in place and dab paint gently with a sponge or brush to add patterns.
- 12
Step 12
Let all the paint dry completely before you do anything else.
- 13
Step 13
Apply a clear sealant evenly over the painted tray following the product directions.
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Step 14
Let the sealant dry completely so your tray is protected and hard to touch.
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Step 15
Share your finished tray on DIY.org so others can see your design and hard work.
Fun facts
How do you do the Tray Painting Challenge?
To do the Tray Painting Challenge, start by cleaning and lightly sanding the wooden or cardboard tray. Plan your design on paper, then prime the surface with gesso or a base coat. Sketch guidelines in pencil, paint the background, and mix colors to create shades. Use stencils and small brushes for details, practice safe brush strokes, let each layer dry, then finish with a clear sealant. Allow full cure before use.
What materials do I need for the Tray Painting Challenge?
You'll need a wooden or sturdy cardboard tray, acrylic paints, primer or gesso, varied brushes (flat, round, detail), foam brushes, paint palette or plates, stencils, painter's tape, pencil, fine sandpaper, water cup, paper towels, and a clear sealant (brush-on polyurethane or clear acrylic spray). Also use a drop cloth, gloves, and adult supervision for cutting or spray sealant. Optional: stickers, metallic paints, decoupage glue, and new handles.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
This activity suits different ages with adjustments. Toddlers (2–4) can explore color with supervision and large brushes while an adult handles prep and sealant. Preschoolers (4–6) can help plan simple shapes. Elementary kids (6–10) can mix colors, use stencils, and paint details with help for sharp tools and sealants. Ages 10+ can design independently and apply sealant with adult supervision. Always match complexity and tools to a child's motor skills.
What safety tips and creative variations can I try for the Tray Painting Challenge?
Safety tips: use non-toxic, washable acrylic paints, work on a covered surface, and wear gloves if needed. Apply sealant outdoors or in a well-ventilated area with an adult; avoid spray sealant around little ones. Creative variations include decoupage with patterned paper, adding mosaic tile or glitter accents, painting seasonal themes, using chalkboard paint for changeable designs, or lining the tray with fabric or cork. These tweaks keep the challenge fresh and functional.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I can't find a wooden tray, sandpaper, or the clear sealant mentioned in the steps?
If you can't find a wooden tray, sandpaper, or clear sealant, use a sturdy cardboard or plastic tray (skip sanding), substitute fine-grit sandpaper with a sanding sponge or emery board, and use a water-based Mod Podge or water-based polyurethane as the clear sealant following the product directions.
My paint is bleeding under the masking tape or looks uneven—what should I check and how can I fix it?
If paint bleeds under masking tape or looks uneven, ensure the tray was completely dry before painting, press tape edges firmly, apply thin even coats with a flat or foam brush, and let each coat dry completely before adding more or sealing.
How can I adapt the tray painting steps for different ages, from toddlers to preteens?
For toddlers use washable paints, large foam brushes, pre-cut stencils, and help with sanding, tape placement, and sealant application, while older kids can sand the tray, mix colors, use small round brushes for details, and apply the clear sealant themselves following the directions.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the finished tray beyond the basic painting and sealing?
To personalize the tray try decoupaging patterned paper before sealing, add metallic accents or layered stencils for depth, attach decorative handles after the sealant dries, and share photos of your finished design on DIY.org.