How to paint your plant pots

• The chance to be creative, bringing extra colour and your own style to your plant pots
• Painting involves fine motor skills and calm concentration
• You could do this activity with another person, sharing ideas and encouraging each other as you go

Essential items

• Plant pots (clay or terracotta, unglazed)
• Acrylic paints in assorted colours
• Paintbrush
• Water
• Small plate / mixing palette
• Small pot or cup

Optional items

• Wire brush
  
• Acrylic paint sealer / spray

Follow these steps to paint your plant pots with ease.

Step 1: Clean your pots and let them dry

Clean your plant pots with water. If you have a wire brush, this will help thoroughly remove any dirt.

Leave the plant pots to dry. They should be completely dry before you begin painting.

Step 2: Gather your equipment for painting

Once your plant pots are clean and dry, find a suitable spot and gather all your equipment together.

You could do this activity inside or outside. If you are inside, try to choose somewhere well ventilated as you are working with paint.

Step 3: Mix paint with water

Select which paint you will use first. Mix the quantity you need with a little water. This will thin the paint out and help you get a more even coat on the pot.

A small plate or paint mixing palette will be helpful for this, especially if you are using several paint colours.

Step 4: Apply your paint

Paint your desired design on your pot (see below for some ideas).

Whenever you change paint colour, wash your paintbrush in water to clean it. A small pot of water next to where you are working will be helpful.

Mix the new paint colour with a little water before applying (see step 3).

Step 5: Leave to dry

Once you have finished painting, leave your pot somewhere it can dry completely.

Step 6: Seal the paint (optional)

Acrylic paint is permanent, so you do not have to add a sealer. It does give an extra layer of protection, though, especially if your plant pot is for outdoor use.

Be careful using a sealer as it can cause irritation. Use somewhere well ventilated and get help if needed.

Step 7: Get planting!

Once your plant pot is completely dry, you can plant in it. So many plants can be grown in containers, this is another wonderful chance to be creative!

There are so many different colours or designs you could choose for your painted plant pot. Here are a few ideas:

• Paint different faces. You could have pots that look like you and your family and friends
• Paint a picture of your favourite thing, whether that's an animal, sun, football, rainbow or apple
• Write a positive quote or happy saying on your pot
• Choose a theme for several pots, for example different flags or insects
• Have a colour theme, such as colours of the rainbow, or different pastel colours
• Be inspired by mandala design and use lots of colour dots to make patterns