Make a picture using Potato Printing
Children of all ages can have great fun printing with potatoes. We have provided some templates for you to download to get you started, one with five shapes on that can be used to make the alphabet and numbers, and one with various shapes to have fun with, but you can make up any shape you like. Using knives is dangerous, so a grown-up will be needed to cut the shapes out of the potatoes.
You will need:
Scissors
Sharp knife (grown-ups only)
Templates (drawn shapes)
Scissors
Cereal box and PVA glue
Large potatoes (smaller potatoes or carrots work well for small shapes)
Sharp knife (for grown-ups only)
Paints
Paintbrush or Round-ended knife (to spread the paint evenly onto a flat surface)
Plates or something with a flat bottom
Kitchen paper (for wiping the paint off the potato shape if wanting to use a different colour)
Card or paper to print onto
What to do
1. Cut the sides off a cereal box. Download and print the template shapes onto the inside of the cereal box and cut out, or print them onto paper and glue them to the inside of the cereal box, leave to dry and then cut out the shapes.
2. Peel and cut the potatoes into 1-2cm thick slices. Wash and dry the potatoes before marking and cutting (this will get rid of some of the starch and by drying them they will not be too wet for the cardboard).
3. Placing the shiny side of the shapes onto the potato slices, draw around them using a pencil or pen and cut them out with the sharp knife (grown-ups only).
4. Put some paint onto a plate or flat surface and spread it out.
5. Dip the shapes into the paints and then place them where you want to on the card and press, lift the potato off. If you want to use the same shape with a different colour, just wipe the shape with some kitchen paper before dipping in the new colour. Extra details can be added using a paintbrush.
6. There are so many pictures you can make this way, an alphabet sampler, a name plaque or sign to hang on your bedroom door or just have fun playing with different shapes and colours.
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