DIY Jungle-Themed Coasters: A Fun Craft Project!

Updated at: 09/05/2025

Transform ordinary coasters into vibrant jungle scenes with this fun and easy DIY project! Bring a touch of the wild into your home with these personalized coasters, perfect for adding a pop of color and conversation to your coffee table or kitchen counter. Imagine lush green leaves, playful monkeys, and exotic parrots adorning your everyday drinkware – all created by your own two hands. This project is ideal for crafters of all skill levels, requiring only basic materials and a little bit of creativity. You can easily adapt the design to suit your personal style, making each coaster truly unique.

Ready to unleash your inner artist and create your own miniature jungle paradise? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions to craft these delightful DIY jungle-themed coasters, ensuring you end up with stunning and functional additions to your home décor.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • 4-part 8-inch silicone coaster mold
  • craft resin
  • miniature animals
  • gravel
  • mini rocks
  • colored stones
  • tiny trees
  • desert plants
  • grass
  • flowery shrubs
  • multicolored dried flowers
  • rain moss
  • diamond dust
  • maribou alcohol ink (caribbean blue and aqua green)
  • heat gun
  • gloves
  • toothpicks
  • alcohol wipes
Safety Guidelines
  • Adult supervision is required, especially when using sharp tools like craft knives or scissors, and hot glue guns.
  • Ensure the coaster base material is waterproof and heat-resistant to prevent damage from spills and hot drinks.
  • Always allow adequate drying time for any adhesive used to prevent warping or detachment of decorations.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Gather Supplies

    • Gather all the miniature animals, plants, rocks, and resin colors.
    Prepare materials: Gather all the miniature animals, plants, rocks, and resin colors.
    Gather Supplies

  2. Design Your Jungle

    • Visualize the jungle scene for each coaster (giraffe, lion, gorilla, elephant).
    Plan the design: Visualize the jungle scene for each coaster (giraffe, lion, gorilla, elephant).
    Design Your Jungle

  3. Prepare the Resin

    • Prepare separate cups of resin, mixing some with gravel and others with colored alcohol inks for water effects.
    Mix resin: Prepare separate cups of resin, mixing some with gravel and others with colored alcohol inks for water effects.
    Prepare the Resin

  4. Prep the Molds

    • Use a heat gun to preheat the silicone molds to eliminate air bubbles.
    Preheat molds: Use a heat gun to preheat the silicone molds to eliminate air bubbles.
    Prep the Molds

  5. Layer and Embed

    • Pour clear resin into each mold, then carefully add the prepared elements (plants, animals, rocks) in layers, ensuring everything is well coated with resin.
    • Sprinkle diamond dust over the 'water' areas for added sparkle.
    Sprinkle diamond dust: Sprinkle diamond dust over the 'water' areas for added sparkle.Sprinkle diamond dust: Sprinkle diamond dust over the 'water' areas for added sparkle.
    Layer and Embed

  6. Initial Cure

    • Allow the resin to cure completely for at least a day.
    Cure the resin: Allow the resin to cure completely for at least a day.
    Initial Cure

  7. Clean Up Excess

    • After curing, carefully trim any excess grass or moss that protrudes from the resin surface using a sharp tool.
    Trim excess elements: After curing, carefully trim any excess grass or moss that protrudes from the resin surface using a sharp tool.
    Clean Up Excess

  8. Surface Refinement

    • Clean the coasters with alcohol wipes to remove dust and debris.
    Clean and smooth the surface: Clean the coasters with alcohol wipes to remove dust and debris.
    Surface Refinement

  9. Final Resin Coat

    • Add a final layer of clear resin to seal and give a glossy finish, using a heat gun to remove bubbles.
    Apply a final layer of resin: Add a final layer of clear resin to seal and give a glossy finish, using a heat gun to remove bubbles.
    Final Resin Coat

  10. Demold and Display

    • Once the final resin layer has cured, carefully remove the coasters from the molds and enjoy your beautiful, unique creations!
    Demold and admire: Once the final resin layer has cured, carefully remove the coasters from the molds and enjoy your beautiful, unique creations!
    Demold and Display

Read more: DIY Story Stones: Budget-Friendly Sensory Play for Kids

Tips

  • Wear gloves when handling resin.
  • Use a heat gun to eliminate air bubbles.
  • Plan your design beforehand to avoid mistakes.
  • Work in layers to create depth and visual interest.
  • Use toothpicks for precise placement of small elements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using insufficient resin

Reason: Not enough resin to fully cover the objects and create a smooth surface leads to an uneven, bumpy finish and potential air bubbles.
Solution: Ensure you mix and pour enough resin to completely submerge the objects and create a generous layer on top.

2. Improperly preparing the surface

Reason: Dust, fingerprints, or other debris on the surface before pouring the resin will result in imperfections in the final product.
Solution: Clean the surface thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and let it completely dry before applying any resin.

FAQs

What materials do I need to make these jungle-themed coasters?
You'll need absorbent coasters (cork or ceramic work well), acrylic paints in various greens, browns, and other jungle colors, paintbrushes, a sealant (like Mod Podge), and optional embellishments like googly eyes, small plastic animals, or faux foliage.
How long does the project take to complete?
The total time depends on your design complexity and drying times. Allowing for paint drying between coats, you can likely complete this project in a few hours, spread over one or two days.
Can I use different types of coasters as a base?
Yes! Cork, ceramic, even smooth wood coasters will work. Just make sure the surface is clean and smooth before you begin painting. Porous materials like cork will absorb paint more readily.