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DIY Tutorial: Clever Dinosaur Serving Dish!

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DIY homemade white dinosaur serving tray

So… I have a major crush on this super fun & oh-so-clever project by Gretchen of Three Little Monkeys Studio!

Her playful DIY Dinosaur Serving Dish is simple to make – you just need a little patience to allow for curing time. It’s affordable too! You can upcycle old toys and melamine plates, or pick up items from your local Dollar Store or thrift store.

This concept can easily be applied to other playful critters too… think bunnies for Easter, owls or black cats for Halloween, and reindeer for Christmas. Read on for step-by-step details!

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Dinosaurs Printables

DIY DINOSAUR SERVING DISH

by Gretchen

Takes 2-3 days with curing time

Materials

  • hard plastic dinosaur (it needs to be sturdy and balanced)
  • small melamine plate
  • sandpaper
  • adhesive*
  • spray paint
  • handheld saw
  • parchment paper

All of the materials needed to make your own dinosaur serving dish


Step by Step Instructions

1. Use the handsaw to cut off your dinosaur’s head just above the shoulders. Make a level cut. Use sandpaper to smooth the edges (it will be rough).

Step 1 of making a DIY dinosaur serving platter

2. Lightly sand the surface of the plate on the bottom and top where you will be adhering it to the dinosaur. No need to sand the entire surface.

3. Apply your adhesive to the body of the dinosaur and plate. My adhesive* recommends applying to both items you want to glue together, and allow them to set for 5-10 minutes BEFORE adhering.

4. When ready, attach the plate to the body. Touch-ups can be done around the glue site with a damp paper towel. Allow to cure for 24 hours.

5. Once the body and plate have dried and cured, prep the dinosaur’s head and attach to the plate. You’ll need to eyeball it from the side and front before attaching to make sure it’s centered in the right spot. Perform any touch-ups and allow to cure for 24 hours.

6. Once completely dried, spray paint from all angles and underneath. I like to spray one coat at a time every 20 minutes or so to avoid drips and get the best coverage.

7. Once your dinosaur is dry, enjoy**!

* I used Loctite Stik’N Seal.

** Please note that food should NOT come into contact with paint. Line the plate with parchment paper and cut to fit.

The finished look of the DIY dinosaur serving tray

You can find more of Gretchen’s adorable DIYs on her blog, as well as custom printables at Three Little Monkeys Studio.

Dinosaur Girl Party Printables

Planning a dinosaur party? Check out my Dinosaur Girl printables! They make it so EASY to add pro designer style and personalization to your event. It’s like branding for your party! 🙌Click here to shop now.

Dinosaur Girl Birthday Printables

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30 Comments

  1. @ashleylynnfry November 22, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    Rawr-some! (I’m cheesy. Sorry) RT @Wedding_Agent: DIY Tutorial: Clever Dinosaur Serving Dish! https://www.hwtm.com/2013/11/diy-dinosaur-serving-dish/ #weddings

  2. Marsha Carsner November 22, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    I’d love to know where you found your dinosaur

  3. Marsha Carsner November 23, 2013 at 1:39 am

    I'd love to know where you found the dinosaur.

  4. @michellegate November 22, 2013 at 6:50 pm

    “DIY Tutorial: Clever Dinosaur Serving Dish! // Hostess with the Mostess https://www.hwtm.com/2013/11/diy-dinosaur-serving-dish/” Must. Make. This.

  5. Lidia Hędrzak November 23, 2013 at 11:54 am

    great idea:) i love it!

  6. Patricia Alejandra Morales Ramirez November 23, 2013 at 4:01 am

    cute it is!!!!

  7. @KJL1970 November 23, 2013 at 6:01 am

    DIY Tutorial: Clever Dinosaur Serving Dish! // Hostess with the Mostess https://www.hwtm.com/2013/11/diy-dinosaur-serving-dish/ via @zite

  8. @Nerdyplatypus November 24, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    Yes!! Rt@Dalidoll85: @Nerdyplatypus hehehe, I think you need this to go with your s&p shakers :) https://www.hwtm.com/2013/11/diy-dinosaur-serving-dish/

  9. Stephanie December 3, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    Cute! If your plate was already white, you could spray paint the dino halves before gluing and not worry about putting food on a painted plate.

  10. Susan Marney February 14, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    why not leave the dinosaur brown or whatever color it is to add to the delight of the whole idea?

  11. Sam Jay Heaton February 15, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    Quiet random, but I like the idea, I guess it’s perfect for kids parties and this kind of stuff.

  12. allisonkpark February 24, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    I tried my hand at it, and am quite pleased with the results: http://myfavoriteings.com/2014/02/24/pinterest-victory-the-dinosaur-plate/. Thanks for the amazing idea!

  13. Allison Park February 24, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    I tried my hand at it, and am quite pleased with the results: http://allisonkpark.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/pinterest-victory-the-dinosaur-plate/. Thanks for the amazing idea!

  14. Lisha Groß February 28, 2014 at 4:03 am

    Spray paint the dinosaur first not last…

  15. Kathryn Lazzaro March 6, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    They have tons at science and surplus stores or learning/hobby stores.

  16. Holli Hagan-Rice May 25, 2014 at 1:05 am

    These are so cool! I love how they look spray painted.

  17. Erna Susanto September 10, 2014 at 10:15 am

    Cool idea! love it

  18. Bonnie Dee November 5, 2015 at 2:40 am

    ..and I would use a water based acrylic paint + water based sealer and a food safe, non painted plate. That spray paint is going to offgass for a long time. not something you would want in your kitchen etc, but most of all, you wouldnt want food near or on it, even with the parchment paper.

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