Print a Greeting - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Print a Greeting

Make a printed greeting card using potato or foam stamps and washable paint, practice designing patterns and printing a message to give someone special.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to print a greeting

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How to Write a Friendly Letter

What you need

Potato or craft foam sheet, scissors, washable paint, paper plate, paintbrush or sponge, blank cardstock or thick paper, pencil, scrap paper or newspaper, cloth or wet wipes, colouring materials, adult supervision required

Step 1

Spread scrap paper or newspaper on your table to protect it and lay out all your materials.

Step 2

Choose whether you will make a potato stamp or a craft foam stamp.

Step 3

If you chose potato ask an adult to cut the potato in half so you have a flat stamping surface.

Step 4

Use your pencil to draw a simple shape or pattern on the flat potato surface or on the craft foam.

Step 5

If you chose craft foam cut out your drawn shape carefully with scissors to make your stamp.

Step 6

If you chose potato ask an adult to carve away the background so your drawn shape is raised like a stamp.

Step 7

Pour a small amount of washable paint onto a paper plate.

Step 8

Use your paintbrush or sponge to spread a thin layer of paint on the plate.

Step 9

Gently press the raised side of your stamp into the paint so the design is covered evenly.

Step 10

Press the paint-covered stamp firmly onto your blank card and lift straight up to reveal the print.

Step 11

Repeat stamping to build a pattern or border until you like the design.

Step 12

Let the paint dry completely before you touch the card.

Step 13

Use colouring materials to write a greeting inside the card and add any extra decorations.

Step 14

Clean your stamp and workspace with water and a cloth and put everything away.

Step 15

Share your finished greeting card on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use instead of craft foam or washable paint if we can't find them?

If you don't have craft foam, use thick cardboard or felt cut to the same shape for the 'cut out your drawn shape' step, and if you lack washable paint try diluted acrylic or food coloring on the paper plate.

My prints are faint or uneven—how can I fix the stamping so it shows clearly on the blank card?

Make sure the raised side of your stamp is evenly covered with paint by pressing it gently into a thin layer on the paper plate, then press the stamp firmly onto the blank card and lift straight up to avoid smudges.

How should I change the steps for younger kids or older kids?

For younger children use pre-cut foam shapes or a potato half with thick washable paint and adult help for any carving or cutting, while older kids can carve finer details into the potato and experiment with layered patterns and multiple colors on the card.

How can we make the greeting card more special or advanced after stamping?

Extend the project by mixing colors on the paper plate for multicolored stamps, stamping a patterned border as instructed, then adding glitter, stickers, ribbon, or a handwritten greeting inside the card once the paint is fully dry.

Watch videos on how to print a greeting

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Franky the Friendly Letter

3 Videos

Facts about printmaking and cardmaking for kids

🥔 Potato stamps are quick to carve and have been a classic kids' craft for generations.

🎨 Washable tempera paints are non-toxic and usually wash out of most clothes with soap and water.

✂️ Greeting cards became widely popular in the 19th century when mass printing made them affordable.

🔤 Stamping a message helps kids practice letter spacing and layout—it's like designing your own font.

🌈 Mixing two primary colors of washable paint can make lots of new shades for fun patterned designs.

How do you make a printed greeting card with potato or foam stamps?

Fold a piece of card stock in half to make your card. Carve simple shapes from a halved potato or cut shapes from craft foam and glue them to a block. Pour washable paint onto a palette and dab the stamp until evenly covered (test on scrap paper). Press the stamp firmly onto the card, repeat to build a pattern, then let dry. Finish by writing a personal message inside and optionally adding stickers or glitter.

What materials do I need to make a printed greeting card?

You’ll need card stock or heavy paper, potatoes or craft foam sheets, washable tempera or acrylic paint, a palette or plate, scrap paper for testing, glue and small wooden blocks (optional), scissors and a craft knife (adult use only), paintbrushes or sponges, wet wipes or a damp cloth, and markers or pens for the message. An apron or old shirt helps protect clothing.

What ages is this printed greeting card activity suitable for?

Toddlers (2–3) can press pre-made stamps with close adult help. Preschoolers (3–5) enjoy stamping and simple designs while supervised during cutting. Early elementary kids (6–8) can cut foam shapes, plan patterns, and add messages independently. Older children (9+) can design complex repeats, layer colors, and experiment with techniques. Always supervise any knife use and small parts for younger children.

What are the benefits of making printed greeting cards with stamps?

Stamping builds fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and pattern recognition while encouraging creative thinking. Making a card supports language and social-emotional skills as kids plan messages for someone special. It teaches cause-and-effect—how pressure and paint amount change results—and provides a sense of accomplishment. The activity is low-pressure, inexpensive, and perfect for practicing design, color mixing, and thoughtful gift-giving.

Ready to create?

All Activities

Print a Greeting

Make a printed greeting card using potato or foam stamps and washable paint, practice designing patterns and printing a message to give someone special.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to print a greeting

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Write a Friendly Letter

What you need

Step 1

Spread scrap paper or newspaper on your table to protect it and lay out all your materials.

Step 2

Choose whether you will make a potato stamp or a craft foam stamp.

Step 3

If you chose potato ask an adult to cut the potato in half so you have a flat stamping surface.

Step 4

Use your pencil to draw a simple shape or pattern on the flat potato surface or on the craft foam.

Step 5

If you chose craft foam cut out your drawn shape carefully with scissors to make your stamp.

Step 6

If you chose potato ask an adult to carve away the background so your drawn shape is raised like a stamp.

Step 7

Pour a small amount of washable paint onto a paper plate.

Step 8

Use your paintbrush or sponge to spread a thin layer of paint on the plate.

Step 9

Gently press the raised side of your stamp into the paint so the design is covered evenly.

Step 10

Press the paint-covered stamp firmly onto your blank card and lift straight up to reveal the print.

Step 11

Repeat stamping to build a pattern or border until you like the design.

Step 12

Let the paint dry completely before you touch the card.

Step 13

Use colouring materials to write a greeting inside the card and add any extra decorations.

Step 14

Clean your stamp and workspace with water and a cloth and put everything away.

Step 15

Share your finished greeting card on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use instead of craft foam or washable paint if we can't find them?

My prints are faint or uneven—how can I fix the stamping so it shows clearly on the blank card?

How should I change the steps for younger kids or older kids?

How can we make the greeting card more special or advanced after stamping?

Watch videos on how to print a greeting

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Franky the Friendly Letter

3 Videos

Facts about printmaking and cardmaking for kids

🥔 Potato stamps are quick to carve and have been a classic kids' craft for generations.

🎨 Washable tempera paints are non-toxic and usually wash out of most clothes with soap and water.

✂️ Greeting cards became widely popular in the 19th century when mass printing made them affordable.

🔤 Stamping a message helps kids practice letter spacing and layout—it's like designing your own font.

🌈 Mixing two primary colors of washable paint can make lots of new shades for fun patterned designs.