Seasonal art for kids

Potato Printmaking for a Handmade Christmas

December 12, 2022

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

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!

potato printmaking — Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

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
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 stamp
Option 1: Cut the potato in half and carve a design into each half.
Option 2: Draw an image/design on the cut half potato and carve away the excess potato.
Option 3: Press a cookie cutter into the surface of the potato about an inch down, and use a knife to cut away the excess potato.

Photo by Jean Van’t Hul
Prepare the paint
Squirt some paint on a clean sponge so your stamp picks up just the right amount of paint.

Photo by Jean Van’t Hul
Stamp!
Press the potato stamp in the paint and then firmly on the paper. Lift the potato to reveal the print.

Photo by Jean Van’t Hul
Repeat!
Stamp with multiple colors, or wash off the potato in between colors and stamp as desired.

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!