Fruit and Veggie Stamps
Here's What To Do
1
Set up your work area:
- Cover your work surface with plastic or newspaper if the surface requires protection.
- Get a bib or apron for your child.
- Provide paper large enough for your child to create marks with the edible paint (secure the paper by taping it down to the surface).
2
Buy or make a few pureed foods with bright colors, such as pureed beets, carrots, berries, or spinach. These will be edible paints. Put the purees in plastic bowls or cups.
3
Cut a few fruits and vegetables (like: potatoes, apples, celery, bell pepper, cucumber, carrot) so they have a flat surface.
4
Model dipping and stamping the halves of these foods into the edible paints onto paper. Encourage your child to do the same!
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- This could be messy, so smile, laugh, and use a calm tone with your child as you prepare to do this activity together.
E
Engage:
- Show your child how to dip the fruit or vegetable and press it down on the paper to make a stamp.
- Describe what your child's doing, like: "You're making red circles with that cucumber stamp!
E
Encourage:
- Your child may eat the materials and this is okay! That’s why you’re working with edible paints, fruits, and vegetables.
- Your child may play in the paint and struggle with making stamps. This is okay because your child is still experimenting with making art!
R
Reflect:
- Did your child like this activity? Were they comfortable with a messy medium to make marks? If you do this again, what will you do differently?
Not quite ready?
Finger paint with edible paint instead of using stamps.
Ready for more?
Work with your child to create simple patterns with fruit and vegetable stamps.
As your child masters this skill...
They will be comfortable trying something new when making art.