craftgrrl | A question about things you want to eat off of.

I'm wondering about making things like cups and plates and such. Kids projects mainly I guess. A few questions that for some reason I haven't been able to google up answers to. This is all making it out of clay (either polymer or Das..I'm thinking das air-drying clay).

1. What kind of paints would you use? Acrylics are okay?
2. What do you seal it with or put over the top so that it's safe to eat off of? Or do you really need to find a craft place with a kiln to make these kinds of projects?

Thanks for any help =3