• A dog is a valued member of the family; why not spruce up its food bowl?naughty dog image by MichMac from Fotolia.com
  
  Dog food bowls from pet supply stores often come in dull materials and uninspiring colors such as white, black or metallic. You take the time to search for dinnerware that complements your tastes and the decor of your house; why make your dog eat out of a boring bowl? Children love to give gifts to their canine companions, and creating a colorful new food bowl for the family dog is a wonderful way to keep the children occupied on a lazy summer afternoon.
  
  

Permanent Markers

• Use permanent markers (also called paint markers) to decorate a food bowl with items such as the dog's name and fun emblems such as bones or tasty morsels of food. As with all such project ideas, make sure the art supplies are non-toxic before giving the completed bowl to your dog. For best results, begin with a clean, new plastic bowl.
  
  

Ceramics

• Ceramics are extremely durable, and a fun ceramic project may pique your child's interest in a hobby that can last a lifetime. Start with a plain white bowl that has been fired in a kiln. If the bowl is green in hue, it has not been fired yet; make sure this is done before painting it. By beginning with a plain bowl, you or your children can paint any design you like. You can match the decor of your home or go completely wild; the choice is yours. Glaze the finished product and fire it again for a bowl that will last decades.
  
  

Photo Bowl

• Innovative Internet-based companies have developed the technology to print on nearly anything. One such item you can purchase online is a photo dog bowl. Simply submit a digital photo of your pet, and a completed bowl is shipped to you with the picture on it. Although this is not a particularly hands-on project, your dog and children will surely enjoy the result.
  
  

Knitting

• If you or someone else in your household enjoys knitting, try knitting a fabric cover for your dog's food bowl. If you make multiple fabric covers, you can change the look to suit your mood or match the look of your home. Another advantage of having a fabric cover is that it creates a non-slip surface, making the bowl less likely to slide around on the floor.