Log in Sign up
PROFILE MENU

Society of Makers

Don't have an account? Sign up.

Society of Makers

Already have an account? Log in.

Select Guild Forgot Logo Society of Makers

Kids Potato Printing Is Super Fun

25 views  •  27 Jan 2023
Kids Craft Ideas
13 subscribers

Potato Printing for Kids

I have a feeling that kids using potatoes to print stuff probably goes back hundreds of years. Well, at least as long as we have had cheap potatoes.

A potato is just the right size, easy to cut and does produce a nice flat surface that takes paint well. You can try and do printing with other things like apples, carrots, grapes? Lol maybe not grapes. But the potato does seem to be the king of the fruit and veggies printers.


Things We Need To Do Potato Printing

  • A medium sized potato
  • A cookie cutter, here we have a star
  • Chopping board
  • Sharp knife, only for adults to use
  • Kitchen paper
  • Paints
  • Plain paper
Kids Potato Printing Is Super Fun

Basic Potato Printing Tutorial

Step One

First we need to cut a shape. Of course you can make any shape you like. But we have a secret little cheat here.

Cut your potato in half. Get an adult to cut it neatly, so the cut is as flat as they can make it.

Put your cookie cutter on a chopping board, make sure the cutting side of the cookie cutting is facing upwards. Now press the potato down on top of the cookie cutter. We want your cookie cutter to go into the potato a little bit, but not all the way. We need to get it out again.

Next use the sharp knife, get an adult to help you, and cut away the potato that is on the outside of the cookie cutter. We want to be left with the star in the middle.

Once all the outside potato is removed, pull the cookie cutter back out. And ta-daaaa!! We have ourselves a little potato printing block.
Kids Potato Printing Is Super Fun

Start Printing With A Potato 

Step Two

Some potatoes can be a bit wet inside. So take a paper towel and smoosh it all over your new printing block. Mop up as much moisture as you can.

Pour some paint into a saucer or a paper plate. And we are nearly ready.

Gently pick up your super potato printing thingy, and press it into the paint. You can lift it and look at it. Make sure the star shape got completely covered in paint.
Kids Potato Printing Is Super Fun

Practise Printing With A Potato

Step Three

Now get some paper and gently have a go at potato printing. Try and get used to a technique that makes a good print.

When you push your potato into the paper, you can give the potato a little rock back and forth. This sometimes helps produce a better print.

Be careful to not slide the potato or your prints won't be sharp. When lifting the potato, try and lift it straight up. Again this will stop the potato sliding around and keep your star sharp.

Not all your prints will be perfect, but that is half the fun of it. Sometimes the mistakes look really interesting too.

Keep reapplying the paint and have a practise.
Kids Potato Printing Is Super Fun

Use More Potatoes For Printing Different Shapes And Colours

Step Four

For adding another colour, it is very tempting to smash that potato into the next colour, and do more potato printing. But this tends to mix the colours and will end up in a muddy mess at the end.

To use more colours, you can wash off your potato printer and then thoroughly dry it again. Before popping it in the new colour. Or it might just be simpler to make a new potato printer for each colour.

Remember, one potato can make two potato printing blocks.

If you have a new potato for each colour, the printing fun goes quicker as you don't have to wash everything every time.

When you have a bit of confidence, you can start doing some projects.
Kids Potato Printing Is Super Fun

Potato Printing Wrapping Paper

Have a go at printing some wrapping paper. You can use a large piece of white paper and print some of the red stars all over it.
Kids Potato Printing Is Super Fun

Try Printing With Apples

Hopefully you are getting the hang of potato printing. But what else can you print with?

For a different look, maybe try printing with an apple, instead of a potato. Get an adult to help cut an apple in half. Wow, you already have two printing shapes for two different colours.

Again, make sure your printing apples are dried off, and use the same technique as the potato. Maybe practise again at first. Apples can get quite slippery :)

You can easily print on fabric. You just need to get the right paint. Some paint will just wash off in the washing machine, whilst others will last a lot better.

You can paint the little stalks on with a paint brush.
Kids Potato Printing Is Super Fun

Printed Apple Pictures

Why not brighten up your kitchen and make some simple apple print pictures. Again we can just paint the stalks on.

Maybe draw little eyes and stick arms and leg with a black felt pen. All with different funny expressions.

Have fun experimenting with potato printing and printing with other fruit and veg. Try and print other things like scatter cushions, table clothes, Christmas cards and decorations.

Have fun and let us see what you make.
0 Comments
CANCEL
CLEAR
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250857061S21000-standard.jpg thumbnail
How To Make Potato Printed Book Covers
Katie Isaacs
12 views • 28 Dec 2022
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250951001S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Mirror Fold Prints Are Super Fun
Kids Craft Ideas
23 views • 27 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250857461S1000-standard2.jpg thumbnail
Sunburst Hand Printed Wallpaper
Katie Isaacs
29 views • 2 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260325341S21000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Leaf Printing for Children
Things Kids Can Make
36 views • 7 May 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260326261S51000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Potato Printing Makes Me Happy
Things Kids Can Make
35 views • 15 May 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250858351S0-standard-(1).jpg thumbnail
Beautiful Greek Vase Gift Wrap
Katie Isaacs
13 views • 4 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260321451S51000-standard.jpg thumbnail
String Printing Blocks Are Fun
Things Kids Can Make
17 views • 3 Apr 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250859501S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Making Cupid Valentines Day Wrapping Paper
Katie Isaacs
23 views • 1 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260304071S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Simple Finger Painting and Hand Printing
Kids Craft Ideas
27 views • 27 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250859231S81000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Making Fruit And Leaf Gift Wrap
Katie Isaacs
19 views • 21 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250924201S01000-standard.jpg thumbnail
How To Make A Corrugated Cardboard Tray
Sally Andrews
16 views • 4 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250903571S61000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Fun Christmas Gift Wrap And Tags Tutorial
Katie Isaacs
24 views • 25 Jun 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250924321S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Making Pretty Flower Pot Wall Art
Sally Andrews
35 views • 13 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260305051S41000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make Easy Pompoms for Fun
Kids Craft Ideas
22 views • 1 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260312251S61000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Meow, We Made a Cat Mask!
Kids Craft Ideas
21 views • 1 Mar 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250945591S55310000-THUMB.jpg thumbnail
Leaf Design Stencil Pencil Pot and Notepad
Sandy Lane
14 views • 9 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250935401S61000-standard.jpg thumbnail
How To Make A Basic Picture Frame
Joe Martin
13 views • 13 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250945301S10510000-THUMB.jpg thumbnail
Doggie Gift Envelope and Doggie Note Paper
Sandy Lane
17 views • 7 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260316461S61000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Rolled Paper Beads for Kids to Make
Things Kids Can Make
18 views • 28 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260307141S291211151000.jpg thumbnail
Making Paper Flowers Is Lots of Fun
Kids Craft Ideas
21 views • 5 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250935211S41000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Making A Simple Wine Rack
Joe Martin
18 views • 11 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260343261S41000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Decoupage a Tray for Tea Time
Kids Craft Club
28 views • 15 Aug 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250824321S070235531000.jpg thumbnail
Pretty Fragrance Pomanders That Smell Lovely
Alison Jones
32 views • 10 Dec 2022
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260107121S41003-standard.jpg thumbnail
Creating Felt Tea Light Glass Holders
Ms Felt
33 views • 10 Aug 2024
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250937421S60010000-THUMB.jpg thumbnail
Learn To Make a Gift Bow
Sandy Lane
22 views • 23 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250831191S070239351000.jpg thumbnail
Personalised Decoupage Shoe Boxes
Alison Jones
23 views • 15 Dec 2022
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260318151S31000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make a Fun Badge for Parties
Things Kids Can Make
19 views • 8 Mar 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250933141S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Simple Decorative Papier Mache Frame
Lottie Smith
21 views • 25 Mar 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250935531S01000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make A Simple Wooden Mirror Frame
Joe Martin
14 views • 23 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/261254051S61000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make a Smart Paper Christmas Wreath Tutorial
Kids Christmas Projects
44 views • 30 Nov 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260310591S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Wooden Spoon Puppets Will Make You Laugh
Kids Craft Ideas
13 views • 23 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250923111S71000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Make A Lovely Mini Chest Of Drawers
Sally Andrews
23 views • 17 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260116581S01001-standard.jpg thumbnail
Create a Stunning Embroidered Russian Doll Picture
Quilting Fun
26 views • 18 Nov 2024
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260100091S11001-standard.jpg thumbnail
Revolutionise Your Home Decor with the Ultimate Iris Throw Hack
Ms Felt
28 views • 9 Sep 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250847131S11000-standard.jpg thumbnail
How To Make A Papercut Screen
Elizabeth Richards
28 views • 13 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250929411S01000-standard.jpg thumbnail
A Fun Homemade Snap Card Game For Children
Lottie Smith
27 views • 2 Feb 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/250834481S011022171000.jpg thumbnail
Making A Lino Printed, Papier Mache Plate Design
Alison Jones
23 views • 3 Jan 2023
/mystu/newpost/uploads/202310/260355481S61000-standard.jpg thumbnail
Amazing Homemade Coconut Cleanser for You
Natural Skin Care
22 views • 16 Aug 2023