How to Make DIY Potato Prints

Learn how to make easy heart-shaped DIY potato prints for Valentine’s Day or any other special occasion. You can use these decorative painted potato prints in many ways for decorations of all kinds. If you are planning on hosting a Valentine’s Day party, you can cut the potato prints into hearts, and if you are planning a different party theme, you can cut the potatoes into different shape. These DIY potato prints are very versatile!

Why I Love Making DIY Potato Prints

During my teaching career, I’ve had many opportunities to celebrate Valentine’s Day with kids. I’ve taught a variety of different grade levels, from high school to first grade. In fact, one of my most memorable Valentine’s Day activities came about because of moving from teaching high school alternative education students to teaching first graders. It was quite a transition. I desperately needed some engaging, memorable Valentine’s Day party ideas. Usually, a class Valentine’s Day party has the built-in activity of opening Valentine cards, but I wanted something unique and special to go along with that. As I was browsing through the public library’s collection of Valentine’s Day offerings, I came across a fun book that was very silly but included a fabulous art idea. Thus, my tradition of making Valentine potato prints began.

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A Fun Valentine’s Day Book and a Creative Art Project

Big Bob and the Magic Valentine’s Day Potato by Daniel Pinkwater is a delightfully quirky book. In addition to the entertaining story, it’s a beginning reader, so young children might be able to read it themselves. My favorite part is the potato printing that takes place as part of the plot. As some of you might recall, art is not my strength. I am artistically challenged. I think that’s why this art project appealed to me. As long as I could successfully wield a paring knife (which is something else I sometimes struggle with), potato prints were something I could have my students do to get in the festive Valentine’s Day mood.

Materials for Making Valentine Potato Prints

One thing I love about this project is the simplicity of the materials. Here’s the list if you are making these with a class of students:

2 or 3 medium-sized russet potatoes

A paring knife (not for the kids to use)

Red tempera paint

2 or 3 pie tins or mini pie tins

Paper lunch bags (enough for a class of students)

Paper towels

Of course, the quantity of supplies may be adjusted to fit the number of people participating. If you are just doing the potato prints with your own kids, you may only need one potato.

Directions for Cutting the Potato Stamps

How do you make a potato stamp? Do you need cookie cutters? No, you can make heart potato print stamps without cookie cutters. Here’s how! First, wash and dry the potatoes. Cut each potato in half.

With a paring knife, carefully slice one side of the heart, then the other, to make a pointed tip. This will be the bottom of your potato heart stamp. Slice a notch to form the “V” at the top of the heart. Make a curved slice on either side of the “V” to connect with the straight sides you have already cut. I had to practice a few times before getting the shape I wanted, but you might get yours just right the first time. You can make some hearts wider and some narrower. If you are very adept, try to carve out a heart shape in the middle of the potato. You might also try an initial shape if you are just making the prints with your family.

Directions for Making the Potato Prints

How do you make prints with the potatoes? Pour a small quantity of red tempera paint into a pie tin or small dish. Dip the cut side of the potato into the paint.

Blot the potato stamp on a paper towel to get the excess paint off.

When you think you have just the right amount of paint on the stamp, press the stamp down onto the paper bag. Make sure the surface you have the bag laying on is nice and flat.

Reload your potato print stamp with paint as needed.

Have fun trying different designs!

Potato Prints Ideas for Party Decorations

Potato prints can be used in many ways. For a Valentine party (for kids or adults), potato prints may be used to create party banners and placemats. You could use potato prints to make decorative borders for signs and menus. There are many possibilities for potato print party decorations. Let your creativity shine!

Can you Keep Potato Stamps?

If you are working with a class of students, you may not have time for all of your students to rotate through this activity in one day. Although this activity generally goes pretty quickly, you might need to save your potato print stamps for another day. If that happens, just rinse off any excess paint, dry the potato stamps, then wrap in plastic or place in a plastic bag. Potato print stamps keep in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days. The potatoes might turn brown and look unattractive, but they will still print well.

What Else Can I Make a Stamp Out of?

I have seen interesting stamps made out of a variety of different vegetables. The cut end of okra makes a nice floral-shaped stamp. If you slice off the base of a head of leaf lettuce, the base end makes a rosette-shaped stamp. Other fresh produce that makes great stamps includes peppers cut in half, citrus fruit cut in half, mushrooms and broccoli florets. You can dip just about any type of fresh produce in paint and make a stamp. Potatoes are an excellent choice for stamping because they can be cut into many different shapes. There are all kinds of possibilities, such as potato print stars, potato print circles, squares, or other shapes.

Other Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas

If you are looking for some creative Valentine’s Day gift ideas, read my post about unique chocolate-covered oddities. You can make your own DIY handmade chocolates gift box, too.I also enjoy the fun Valentine’s Day children’s books that are out there. My list of books is a little different. The titles are not necessarily new. Rather, they are unique. I had a great time putting the list together. If you are planning a class Valentine’s Day party, this virtual Valentine’s Day Bingo would be a fabulous addition to your celebration.

Enjoyed Making Potato Prints? Here are More Activities

• How to Make Pressed Flower Greeting Cards: An Easy DIY
• Easy Origami Greeting Card
• Pointillism: A Fun Art Project for All Ages
• Fun and Easy Father’s Day Gift For Young Kids to Make

Are You Now in the Mood to Try Making Potato Prints?

Do you have some potatoes in your pantry that might make good candidates for potato printing? Potato prints can be used for many occasions. If you do make Valentine’s Day potato prints, take a picture and tag me on Instagram!

@lisa_fluxingwell