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!

How to Make Valentine Potato Prints Pinterest Image

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.


This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my Policies page for more information.


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.

potato prints cut potato

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.

potato prints heart potato stamp

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.

potato prints potato in paint

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

potato prints blotting stamp on paper towel

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.

potato prints printing on bag

Reload your potato print stamp with paint as needed.

potato prints printing hearts on bag

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.

Valentine tea party ideas potato prints

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

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!

Brand photo Circle

@lisa_fluxingwell

More Party Planning Inspiration

It’s always nice to have a plan when it comes to meals and parties. If you’re looking for a way to get more organized with your lemon themed party planning efforts, I’ve got something for you. Free, editable meal planners! The templates can be used over and over, as often as you need them. You can make as many duplicates as you like, and you’ll be able to save old party food plans for future reference. I hope it simplifies things for you.

editable meal plan templates free offer

Get my free editable meal plan templates!

I hope you decide to give this project a try. May all of your party planning endeavors and activities meet with great success!

First Name Signature Conclusion

 
Like this post? Please give it a share! =)

10 thoughts on “How to Make DIY Potato Prints”

  1. These are really great instructions on how to make heart shaped potato prints for a fun activity. They look absolutely adorable and such a cool idea for kids to enjoy on the Valentine’s Day holiday.

    Reply
    • Thank you! Valentine potato prints are a definitely a budget-friendly party decor idea. I’m glad you liked the easy instructions.

      Reply
  2. I love this idea of making Valentine potato prints! They look so sweet and easy to make! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • You are most welcome! These Valentine heart potato prints are fun to make, so I’m happy to share them with everyone.

      Reply
  3. What a fun DIY experience craft!!
    Definitely looking forward to trying some valentines potato prints with my kids.
    We did some celery stamps a couple of weeks ago and it was a huge hit.

    Reply
    • I’d love to see pictures of your celery stamps. Very fun!

      Reply
  4. What a great idea for valentines day 🤩 You are so creative😊

    Reply
    • Oh, thank you. I really got the idea from the book I mentioned in the post.

      Reply
  5. I love how you combined storytelling with Valentine potato prints! This sounds like a great way to celebrate the day. Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea.

    Reply
    • You’re welcome! I have fun finding literature connections to other subjects.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Sarah S Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to content