August 2010-Craft of the Month- Potato Day is August 19th

Who remembers making potato prints?  There is a whole new generation of children who would love to know how to do this craft, so lets get started!

Potato Stampers


Materials Needed:

Potatoes
Plastic Knife
Plastic Forks
Cutting Board
Small plastic containers for paint
Paints (if making tee shirts use fabric paints)
Paper bags, large sheets of paint paper, or tee shirts to paint on
*Optional: small metal cookie cutters

Directions:.

Wash and dry potatoes.
Cut the potato in half or into 1/2 thick coins.
Using the plastic knife, cut the coins into shapes, or cut a design into the potato halves's exposed cut side. (or the cookie cutters can be used to press out a potato cookie shape).
Stick a plastic fork into the back of the coin to use as a handle.
Pour paint into the plastic containers.
Dip the potato stamp into the paint and then stamp it onto the paper bag, paper or tee shirt.
Change colors or stamps as desired.
Let the paint dry.
Turn your stamped creations into bookmarks, wrapping paper, book covers, etc.

This craft is great for working on activity of daily living skills of cutting with a knife.  It also utilizes eye hand coordination and bilateral motor control.