I have some small wooden birdhouses I want to paint with my granddaughter. I have to FLY with all of the supplies, which is limiting. I bought a set of tiny attached vials that has 15 colors of acrylic paint.

The wood is soft plywood with no visible grain.

But I imagine the paint won’t go very far if it soaks into the wood. Can I seal it with anything first? I could possibly do that part at home before I leave.

I have several kinds of artists’ acrylic mediums; matte or satin. Or I could use white acrylic craft paint and cover everything, if that would help. Or latex house paint, if craft acrylics work over that.

Thanks for your help!