Seasonal art for kids

Potato Printmaking for a Handmade Christmas

October 5, 2024

Potato printmaking is a classic craft perfect for all ages. Print holiday cards, DIY wrapping paper, Christmas decorations, and more!

Updated November 2024

Christmas is right around the corner. Need an easy art activity to make handmade cards, wrapping paper or decorations?

Get your hands on a potato and we’ve got you covered!

Printmaking sounds difficult, but it’s really just a fancy way to talk about stamping. Potatoes are great candidates for printmaking because they are super easy to carve and are usually sitting right in the pantry.

We love potato printmaking all year long, but it’s especially perfect for Christmas. Your prints can be used for making cards, wrapping paper, advent calendars—you name it! So grab a potato and get into the holiday spirit!

Here’s a video showcasing potato printmaking! And don’t miss the step-by-step instructions below.

Potato Printmaking

MATERIALS

Potatoes
Knife
Cutting board
Sponges
Sturdy paper
Tempera paint
Cookie cutters (optional)

*Protect your work surface by using a place mat or an art mat.
**Ask for the help of an adult for making the potato stamp.

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare the potato stamps
To make your potato stamps, you can try a couple of options. You can cut the potato in half and carve a design into each half. Or do what we did here and press a cookie cutter into the surface of the potato about an inch down and use a knife to cut away the excess potato.
Prepare the paint
Squirt some paint on a clean sponge so your stamp picks up just the right amount of paint.
Stamp!
Press the potato stamp in the paint and then firmly on the paper. Lift the potato to reveal the print.

You can stamp with multiple colors or wash off the potato in between colors and stamp as desired.

potato printmaking — Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

The holidays are a wonderful time to settle in and make art with those you love. Don’t miss arts and crafts, sensory play, and cards for the holidays listed below!

More Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids

Want even more creative ideas?

Check out our Holiday Creativity pack!

Let’s celebrate the holidays with all things crafty! Here are 53 pages full of our favorite drawing prompts, creative play ideas, art activities, and more!

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