DLTK's Holiday Crafts for Kids
Snowman Mug

Once the paints are completely dry, your project is dishwasher safe, microwave and ovenproof. However it's important that you allow the mug to cure (sit) for 10 days after you've finished painting before using it.

Goes great with "Snowman Soup".

Materials:

• Ceramic mug (from Walmart or wherever) -- a dark colour like blue, black or green would be nice so the Snowman shows up against the background.  The taller the mug, the easier it will be to fit your snowman on it.
• white DELTA PERMENAMEL' PAINT (I don't often use brand names, but I know the delta paints work).  You need Permenamel paint so it stays on the ceramic mug.
• black DELTA PERMENAMEL' PAINT.
• optional accent color permenamel paint (red, blue, etc for hat, scarf, mittens or whatever other accents your child wants to add to their snowman).
• DELTA'S PERMENAMEL' SURFACE CONDITIONER.
• kitchen sponge (yes, just the ordinary cheap kind).
• scissors,
• paintbrush
• Optional:  q-tips

Instructions:

• Wash hands well and wash mug well with soap and water.  Dry with a clean towel.
• Apply SURFACE CONDITIONER to the outside of the mug with a paintbrush.  Let it dry naturally (no blow drying).  You only need the surface conditioner where you'll be painting, so if you want to be frugal, just apply it to the "front" of the mug where you plan to put the snowman.
• While it's drying, cut the kitchen sponge into a round (snowball) shape with your scissors.  I'd recommend just making a two ball snowman so it fits on your mug.
• Pour some of the white paint onto a paper plate. 
  • Dip the round sponge into the paint and dab it about so it is covered.
  • Dab off a bit onto a paper towel so it isn't too gooey.
  • Sponge paint a circle onto your mug.
  • Sponge paint a second circle onto your mug, right above the first.
• Optional:  Dip your q-tip into the white paint left on the plate and dab it here and there onto the mug to look like snowflakes.
• Let the white paint dry naturally.
• Dip your cutip or paintbrush into the black paint and dab on two black eyes and a black mouth (use "lumps of coal" in a line to form the mouth instead of just painting it on). 
  • You can practice dotting on a scrap of paper before you do it on the cup so you can see how hard you have to press
  • You can also dab on some black buttons.
  • You can also draw some twig arms if you're using a paintbrush.
• Optional:  If you're feeling really artistic, you can add a hat, mittens at the end of the twig arms and a scarf using your accent color.

Printable version of these instructions