KIDS MOSAIC TILES AND STONES
These cute mosaic tiles are easy and fun to make. Suitable for kids aged 3 - 10 years old.
A great beginners/kids project as no tools are required.
A great beginners/kids project as no tools are required.
|
Materials
|
|
Instructions
Spread PVA onto the tile - use just enough to ensure the beads or glass tiles stick but not so much so that glue squeezes up and over the beads or tiles. Encourage your kids to play with colour and design. The next day grout your pieces. |
To hang your tile mosaic, put a large blob of “hard as nails” (glue that is a nail substitute) on the back of the tile and embed the d-ring into it. Once dry, it will be solid and ready to hang!
How to Mix and Apply Grout
You will need:
Powered grout
Water
A container – I find that a round plastic bowl works best
A dust mask and gloves
A stirring tool – an old spoon is good
A spreading tool – depending on your mosaic – if it is flat then you can use a squeegee – if it is not flat then use a sponge or your fingers but be sure to protect them with gloves.
Foam sponges
Soft cloth
Newspaper to spread over your working area
Bucket with water to rinse out the foam sponges
Here’s How
1. Prepare – spread newspaper over your work space. Assemble your tools and supplies.
2. Mix – pour grout into the bowl and begin to add water. A little at a time.
Grout is like icing sugar, if you add too much water you have to add more icing sugar.
Stir, adding small amounts of water until the grout is the consistency of peanut butter. Do not over stir because you do not want to add air bubbles into the grout.
3. Leave it to slake. The grout needs approximately 10 minutes for the chemical reaction to take place.
4. After 10 minutes stir once more.
5. Spoon the grout onto your piece. Use the spreading tool to spread the grout into the gaps between the tesserae. Be sure to fill all the gaps.
6. Wipe off the excess grout from the top of the tiles using a dry foam sponge. Many people will tell you to use a damp sponge but if the sponge is too wet the grout will turn to mud. I find it is better to use a dry sponge. Keep turning the sponge over to use a clean side. When all sides have been used put it in the bucket of water and use a second sponge if necessary.
7. Once all the excess grout has been removed from the top of the tiles wait for approximately 10 minutes. The grout on the top of the tiles will begin to look powdery, this is the time to polish using the soft cloth. Be careful not to drag the grout out from between the tesserae.
8. Wait an hour and give your piece a final buff.
You will need:
Powered grout
Water
A container – I find that a round plastic bowl works best
A dust mask and gloves
A stirring tool – an old spoon is good
A spreading tool – depending on your mosaic – if it is flat then you can use a squeegee – if it is not flat then use a sponge or your fingers but be sure to protect them with gloves.
Foam sponges
Soft cloth
Newspaper to spread over your working area
Bucket with water to rinse out the foam sponges
Here’s How
1. Prepare – spread newspaper over your work space. Assemble your tools and supplies.
2. Mix – pour grout into the bowl and begin to add water. A little at a time.
Grout is like icing sugar, if you add too much water you have to add more icing sugar.
Stir, adding small amounts of water until the grout is the consistency of peanut butter. Do not over stir because you do not want to add air bubbles into the grout.
3. Leave it to slake. The grout needs approximately 10 minutes for the chemical reaction to take place.
4. After 10 minutes stir once more.
5. Spoon the grout onto your piece. Use the spreading tool to spread the grout into the gaps between the tesserae. Be sure to fill all the gaps.
6. Wipe off the excess grout from the top of the tiles using a dry foam sponge. Many people will tell you to use a damp sponge but if the sponge is too wet the grout will turn to mud. I find it is better to use a dry sponge. Keep turning the sponge over to use a clean side. When all sides have been used put it in the bucket of water and use a second sponge if necessary.
7. Once all the excess grout has been removed from the top of the tiles wait for approximately 10 minutes. The grout on the top of the tiles will begin to look powdery, this is the time to polish using the soft cloth. Be careful not to drag the grout out from between the tesserae.
8. Wait an hour and give your piece a final buff.
If you would like to download these instructions click the file below.
| tiles_and_stones.pdf |
