Countdown to Christmas: Potato Stamped Gift Wrap

This activity is an oldie but a goodie. Do you remember doing "potato stamping" as a child?  Potato stamps are easy to organise and effective in result. Your children can make some lovely home made gift wrap that they can then give to other people in the family.  Your child will be proud of their work and your family will love the homemade touch.

What do you need?
Large sheets of paper (we used roll from IKEA)
A potato
Cookie cutters
Knife
Chopping board
Paint
Paper Plate
Paintbrush (optional)

What you need to do?
The preparation is best done by an adult. 

1. Use the knife to cut the potato in half.
   
2. Use the cookie cutter to press into one half of the potato.
3. Use the knife to cut around the outside of the shape.

Ready to use

1. Squeeze some paint onto a plastic plate.
2. Lay out the large sheet of paper.
3. Either press the potato half onto the paint and then onto the paper, or
4. Use a paint brush to paint the potato before pressing onto the paper.
5. Leave your paper somewhere to dry.
6. When dry, the paper makes excellent gift wrap!

This is a great activity for siblings to do together.  The stamps can be placed randomly on the page making this activity great for older toddlers and preschoolers. They will also love seeing their artwork used as gift wrap as they pass their present to "grandma", "grandpa" or any other lucky relative or friend!

Do you need some gift wrap?  Have you made your own?

I will be taking a break over Christmas and early January.  
There will be new content in 2015!

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