Make Coasters Using Tile and Gift Wrap • Kids Activities Blog

Let’s make coasters to give to someone special!

Re-purpose gift wrap from birthdays or past holidays to make DIY tile coasters that you can give to someone special as a gift.

How to Make DIY TILE COASTERS

If you happen to have old drink coasters (or ones your mother-in-law may have given you five years ago) and some holiday tissue or wrapping paper, then you have the makings of the perfect upcycled Christmas gift that your toddler and preschooler can craft all by themselves. If you don’t have old coasters to use, then use square tiles like we did.

We used gift wrap on our tile coasters, but you can also use tissue paper or scrapbook paper.

Related: Kid-made coasters using yarn

Supplies needed to make tile coasters

• Old coasters or square tiles – we used square tiles
• Tissue paper or wrapping paper
• Mod Podge (sparkle, matte, or gloss) – we used matte
• Brush or sponge (for applying the Mod Podge)
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Sealant (optional – for putting cold drinks on)
• Felt (optional – to put on the bottom of each tile)

Instructions for making tile coasters

Step 1

Place your gift wrap face down on a table. Put the coasters on top and trace around them with a pencil.

Step 2

Cut out each of the gift wrap squares you will be gluing onto the coasters.

Step 3

Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto your coaster. Place your square of gift wrap over the glue and make sure it is completely stuck down. Continue this process until all of your tiles have paper glued onto them.

Craft tip:  The thinner the coat the better, but of course, young children won’t have a great handle on the brush or even want to put on a thin layer. Don’t worry, if you use the Sparkle Mod Podge or make yours in a collage style, the wrinkles won’t show as much. Plus, it’s the thought that counts, and your coasters will carry that made-with-love look!

Craft tip 2: If using an old coaster that has a vibrant pattern and you’re making the tissue paper collage coaster, you’ll want to add an extra tissue paper square layer or two that covers the whole coaster to form a more opaque base that blocks out the original color or pattern.

Step 4

Brush another layer of Mod Podge over the top of your paper. You will need to do about three coats in total, allowing each coat to dry before moving onto the next one.

Craft tip 3: If your recipient is going to use the coasters with cold beverages, make sure to spray a sealant over the top to waterproof the coaster.

Craft tip 4: If you are worried that the tile might scratch a surface, cut out a square of felt to put on the bottom, or use round circles of felt that you would put under chair legs.

When your coasters are dry, trim any edges that need to be tidied up, tie them with a ribbon, and you’re ready to give them as gifts! These are such a quick and easy craft that you will want to make these for everyone on your list this holiday season.

Our finished DIY tile coasters

Here are other examples of coasters made by kids. These ones were made using old coasters, tissue paper, and gift wrap.

More Homemade Gift Ideas from kids activities

Need more homemade gift ideas that the kids can make? Here at Kids Activities Blog, we love being helpful!

What homemade crafts are your children giving for the holidays this year?