These DIY foam stamps are one of the easiest art materials to make, and kids love the process of creating them all on their own. Set out all the materials to make your very own stamping exploration center for the home or classroom!
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Recently Lucy and I took a visit to our local art museum and were fortunate enough to view the Pedro de Lemos exhibit. Pedro de Lemos was a local artist known not only for his paintings and drawings, but for his use of various types of printmaking.
As a part of the education center, the museum had set up all kinds of hands-on printmaking activities for kids inspired by the exhibit. One of Lucy’s favorite projects was creating designs and patterns using homemade stamps. We loved the idea so much, we created our very own foam stamping center right at home.
This art activity really is so easy to setup and both Theo (age 4) and Lucy (age 7) enjoyed the process of creating their very own stamps and stamped artwork!
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DIY Foam Stamps for Kids
Materials for DIY Foam Stamps
- Foam Stickers in Various Shapes (We used these from our local craft store.)
- Wooden blocks (or small pieces of thick cardboard or foamboard)
- Large Stamp Pad (We used this washable stamp pad.)
- Paper (Easel paper is fun to use since you can cover a large area!)
Directions for DIY Foam Stamp Exploration Center
To make your stamps, stick some foam shapes onto one side of a wooden block. We used some small pieces of whittling wood from our local craft store. (You can also use a small piece of thick cardboard or foam board.)
2. Press the design into an ink pad, and then press it onto paper. Voila! (You can even reuse the wooden block stamps. When you tire of a design, peel off the foam stickers and use the surface for a new design!)
After showing the kids how to create their own stamps with the wooden blocks and foam stickers, I set the materials out onto a small table for them to make on their very own stamps.
I also placed a giant sheet of easel paper onto the wall for the kids to use as a canvas for their stamps.
Lucy and Theo loved creating all kinds of designs using their homemade stamps and trying them out on the easel paper!
We’ll be leaving the stamping exploration center all week long. I can’t wait to see all the murals the kids create!
