Potato prints

This is an easy craft for kids of any age, although younger kids may need some assistance from a grown-up because a knife is involved.

Take a potato and cut it in half using a straight blade, such as a paring knife or pocketknife. Don't use a serrated blade because it will make a wavy surface, and you won't get good prints from your potato. Blot the two halves on a piece of paper towel.

Take a nail or other sharp implement and scratch the outline of your design into the flat (cut) side of the potato. If you are planning to make a letter or number, remember to make your design backward so that it will print out correctly! Carefully use a paring knife or pocketknife to trim away the areas outside of your design.

Once your potato stencil is ready, press it firmly into an ink pad, then onto a piece of paper. Depending on how fresh your ink pad is, you can probably get two or three good prints before you need to re-ink your potato.