Stamp and Stencil Crafts

Show kids how to make their own rubber stamp from a simple art gum eraser. They can use the art gum printer stamp to create different geometric patterns on everything from stationery to gift boxes.

What You'll Need:

How to Make an Art Gum Printer Stamp:

Step 1: Lightly draw a simple design on one side of an art gum eraser. To make the raised part of your design, use a craft knife to help your kids carve out the parts they don't want to print.

Step 2: Press the carved side of the eraser down on a stamp pad. Position the eraser on a piece of paper and press down firmly to print your design.

Stamp it in repeated patterns, re-inking it every 1 or 2 prints. Be sure to wash the printer when you change colors and when you're done using it.

Make your eraser into a personal stamp for your kids. Instead of carving out a geometric design, carve out their initials on the eraser. They can use the printer to sign notes and papers with their "mark."

Have some potatoes on hand? Learn how your kids can turn them into decorative ink stamps in the next section.

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Amaze your kids by turning a pantry staple into a great potato printer stamp! They can use the stamp to transform ordinary paper into decorative gift wrap, book covers, or stationery.

What You'll Need:

How to Make a Pattern Printer Stamp:

Step 1: Cover your work surface with newspaper. Clean a potato, and help kids cut it in half.

Step 2: Draw a shape on the cut surface with a pen. Assist kids by cutting away the edges so that the shape stands out.

Step 3: Place some poster paint on a clean foam food tray. Dip the potato shape in the paint, and then press it on a piece of paper.

Step 4: Continue stamping the paper until you've created a pattern you like. Let the paint dry.

Keep reading to learn how to create personalized ink stampers from craft foam.

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These craft foam stampers are ideal for making holiday greeting cards or invitations to your kids' birthday parties.

What You'll Need:

How to Make Craft Foam Stampers:

Step 1: Cut out shapes from craft foam. Glue each shape on a block of wood.

Step 2: Use poster paints or stamp pads to ink your stampers. Wash your stamps after each use.

You can make 1 large stamp to decorate the front of a birthday card or small stamps to create repeating shapes on wrapping paper or gift bags.

Combine 2 or 3 small shapes on a single block of wood to make interesting repeating patterns. Try hearts, circles, squares, or stars.

You can also make letter or word stamps. Cut out letters or words that you want to print, and glue them to a block in a mirror image.

In the next section, you'll learn a special stencil craft to bid your kids sweet dreams.

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Turn a plain pillowcase into a special custom stencil pillowcase for your child's room. Design and paint your own floral border!

What You'll Need:

How to Make a Custom Stencil Pillowcase:

Step 1: Draw a flower shape on one plastic coffee can lid. Draw leaf shapes on another coffee can lid. Help kids cut the shapes out to create a flower stencil and a leaf stencil.

Step 2: Put the plain pillowcase flat on your work surface, and place a plastic garbage bag inside the pillowcase. Place the flower stencil on the edge of the pillowcase, and secure it with a binder clip.

Step 3: Pour some acrylic paint on a paper plate. Dip a stencil brush in the paint, and dab off the excess paint on a piece of paper. Dab the brush inside the stencil shape until it is filled in.

Step 4: Continue stenciling the flower design along the edge of the pillowcase to make a border.

Step 5: Once the paint has dried, repeat the stenciling process using the leaf stencil and a different color paint. Let the paint dry.

If you want, stencil the same border on the bed's dust ruffle or curtains to match your child's bedroom.

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