How To Make Your Own Stamps: 3 Amazing Methods For Kids

Image © lenahelfinger, under a Creative Commons license.

You may think learning how to make a stamp is difficult: in fact, below are three different stamp carving methods to create your own stamp design!

This speedy stamps craft is the perfect way to keep your children occupied. They can make beautiful art with personalised stamps! You can design your own stamp to represent absolutely anything thanks to these easy guides to make your own stamp.

While adults will need to do the carving and cutting required to make the stamps, children can have a blast using ink and paint to create pictures from these handmade creations.

If you are after more ideas to entertain your kids in a creative way, take a look at these Minion crafts or these great recycled craft ideas!

Ages: For both of these methods, adults should do the carving as it involves sharp knives. However, children as young as three can have fun using these craft stamps to create beautiful art!

Materials needed: some potatoes (the larger the better), a knife or carving tool (or cookie cutters for the second method), an ink pad or paint and brushes, paper

Method 1:

1) Cut each potato in half, either length-wise or width-wise depending on the size of your design.

2) With your tool, carve out the outline of your design into the flesh of the potato. Then, carve the surface of the potato around your image so that it sticks out. For this stamping method, I would suggest choosing fairly simple designs as carving the surface of the potato can prove a bit tricky. You could try a heart, a star, or other geometric shapes for example!

3) Place your stamp onto the ink pad, or cover it with paint using the paintbrush. Once it is entirely covered in ink or paint, place the stamp onto your paper and press hard on it for a few seconds. Remove it from the paper and you should see your image appear!

Method 2:

1) Cut each potato in half, either length-wise or width-wise depending on the size of your design.

2) Select a cookie cutter that fits on the flat surface of the potato. We suggest using a fairly simple design as you will need to carve around it. Place the cutter on the potato flesh and press it down a few millimetres. With a knife or carving tool, carve around the cutter so that the design sticks out. Remove the cutter, and your DIY stamp is ready.

3) In order to print your image, place your stamp onto the ink pad or cover it with paint using a paintbrush. When it is covered in ink or paint, place the stamp onto your paper and press it down hard for a few seconds. Remove it from the paper and admire the results.

Alternatives And Tips:

Instead of potatoes, you can use a variety of other vegetables with a similar consistency! Think carrots, sweet potatoes, parsnips, ... You can use whatever vegetable or fruit you have in your pantry to make your own stamp!

As they are made from fresh vegetables, these stamps can only be used for a few hours before they dry out: discard them in a bin once you are done with them.

Ages: Adults should do the carving part of this craft as it involves sharp objects and glue, but children as young as three can have fun creating images using these custom stamps and paint or ink!

Materials needed: thin sheets of foam, some thick cardboard, some strong glue, a sharp knife or carving tool, an ink pad or paint and brushes, paper

Method:

1) Draw the outline of your design onto the foam. As there is no limitation in size (apart from the size of your ink pad), you can create a large stamp or more elaborate things like a name stamp.

2) Cut out your design from the foam and cut a chunk of thick cardboard which fits your stamp, with a little extra space on the sides. This will be your stamp holder. Glue your foam onto the cardboard holder with strong glue, and wait for it to dry.

3) Your custom stamp is ready to use! Cover it in ink or paint and press it down onto a piece of paper to watch your image or message appear. These stamps can be cleaned with tissue paper and used as many times as desired.  

Ages: Adults should do the carving part of this craft as it involved sharp objects, but children as young as three can have fun creating images using these custom stamps and paint or ink!

Materials needed: some rubber or unused gum erasers, a knife or carving tool, an ink pad or paint and brushes, paper

Method:

1) Cut out a piece of rubber or select an eraser. Draw the outline of your chosen image onto it. As erasers are generally small and there is carving involved, we would suggest a fairly simple design like a geometric shape.

2) Carve out along the outline of your image with your knife or carving tool until it sticks out of the eraser or rubber by a few millimetres.

3) Your rubber stamp is ready to use. Place it in ink or cover it with paint before placing it onto paper. Press down on it hard for a few seconds and watch your image appear.

Use child-friendly, non-toxic paint if younger children are going to be using these stamps.

Cover up surfaces with protective sheets or newspaper to avoid creating a huge mess.

For all of these crafts, you can test how well your ink stamps are working by giving them a try on scrap paper.