6 Simple Stamping Activities to Do at Home with Little Kids
If you have a little artist in your home who loves to paint, draw, or just get messy with colour, stamping is a wonderful creative activity to introduce. It’s a fun, sensory-rich way for kids to experiment with shapes, patterns, and textures — all while engaging their fine motor skills and imagination.
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The best part? Stamping is super easy to do at home with things you probably already have lying around. From kitchen sponges to toilet rolls and bubble wrap, almost anything can be turned into a stamp with a little creativity and a sprinkle of DIY spirit.
Whether your child is a toddler just discovering paint for the first time or a preschooler eager to make colourful patterns and pictures, stamping offers an accessible, open-ended craft that sparks joy and creativity.
In this post, I’m going to share six simple, tried-and-tested stamping ideas using everyday household items. I’ll also share some handy tips on inks and paints to keep things as stress-free as possible.
Before You Start: What You Need to Know About Inks and Paints
Stamping is undoubtedly messy — but that’s part of the fun. If you’re considering giving stamping a go, here are a few things to keep in mind to make the experience enjoyable for both you and your little one.
Embrace the Mess!
From paint-covered fingers to splatters on clothes, stamping comes with a side of mess. Little hands, sleeves, and even the floor might get colourful, and that’s perfectly okay. If you can, set up your stamping station outside or in a room with easy-to-clean surfaces. Lay down a drop sheet or old newspapers to protect your floors.
Dress your kids in clothes you don’t mind getting paint on, or better yet, pop them in a smock or an old oversized shirt. Remember, stamping is as much about sensory play and exploration as it is about the result. So take a deep breath, enjoy the process, and try to relax about the mess — it will come off (eventually)!
Choosing the Right Paint or Ink
The second crucial consideration is your choice of ink or paint. Many commercial ink pads contain permanent ink, which can stain skin and fabrics, so if you want an easy clean-up, look specifically for washable ink pads or use washable paints instead.
If you want to make your stamp pads, here’s a quick DIY idea: soak some sponge or felt pieces in shallow trays of washable paint. Your kids can then dip their homemade stamps directly into these trays to get the right amount of colour. This method also reduces waste and lets you control the mess.
Homemade Stamp Pads: A DIY Base for All Your Stamping Adventures
Before jumping into the stamping projects, here’s a quick guide on how to make homemade stamp pads that are perfect for kids:
How to Make Your Stamp Pads
- Find a shallow, flat container–like an old lid from a takeaway container or a plastic tray.
- Cut small squares of sponge or felt (something porous to hold the paint).
- Place the sponge or felt inside the container.
- Pour a small amount of washable paint over the sponge until it’s damp but not dripping.
- Your stamp pads are ready! Kids can press their stamps onto the sponge for a smooth, even paint coating.
This method is affordable, easy to clean up, and very kid-friendly.
Here are Six Simple Stamping Activities You Can Do at Home with Your Little Ones:
1. Potato Stamping: The Classic DIY Stamp
Potato stamping is a timeless, classic stamping activity that’s a fantastic introduction to stamping for kids of all ages. The beauty of this activity is in its simplicity and the ability to carve out custom shapes.
What You Need:
- A large potato (sweet potatoes work well too)
- A sharp knife (adult use only)
- Washable paint
- Paper or cardstock
How to Make It:
- Cut the potato in half. You can then carve simple shapes into the flat side of the potato, such as stars, hearts, circles, or letters.
- If carving is too tricky, even a simple cut potato half makes a great circular stamp.
- Let your child hold the potato half in their hand–it makes a sturdy handle that’s easy to grip.
How to Play:
- Dip the carved potato stamp into the paint or your homemade stamp pad.
- Press firmly onto paper and lift to reveal the shape.
- Encourage your child to create patterns or pictures using the stamps.
Why It Works:
Potato stamps provide a chunky, ergonomic shape that’s easy for small hands to hold. Plus, the act of stamping helps develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. And let’s be honest — the smell of fresh potatoes adds a sensory bonus!
For more inspiration and designs, check out some sweet potato stamping ideas here.
2. Bubble Wrap Stamping: Popping Patterns
Bubble wrap isn’t just for popping — it’s also an excellent tool for stamping fun! The textured surface makes lovely dotted patterns and introduces a new sensory experience for your child.
What You Need:
- A piece of bubble wrap
- A cardboard tube (toilet roll or paper towel roll)
- Washable paint
- Tape (optional)
How to Make It:
- Cut a small piece of bubble wrap large enough to cover the end of your cardboard tube.
- Secure the bubble wrap over the open end of the tube using tape or a rubber band.
- Your bubble wrap stamp is ready!
How to Play:
- Dip the bubble wrap end into paint or press it onto a stamp pad.
- Press it onto paper and lift gently to see the bubbly pattern.
- Repeat to create fun designs, borders, or backgrounds.
Why It Works:
The raised bubbles create textured, playful patterns, and the cardboard tube gives little ones something easy to grip and stamp repeatedly. Plus, popping the bubbles before or after painting can be an extra bit of sensory fun!
You can find full instructions and ideas on bubble wrap stamping here.
3. Straw Stamping: Recycling Fun
Plastic straws often end up in the recycling bin or the trash, but they can have a second life as stamps. This activity is simple but produces interesting ring shapes and geometric patterns.
What You Need:
- Plastic straws (preferably reusable or biodegradable if possible)
- Washable paint
- Paper
How to Make It:
- Flatten the end of the straw by pressing it down between your fingers.
- Bend the flattened end into a small circle and secure it with tape or glue.
- This circular end becomes your stamp.
How to Play:
- Dip the circular end into paint.
- Stamp on paper to create dot patterns or use multiple straws to create fun designs.
- You can create flowers, faces, or abstract art with this technique.
Why It Works:
This activity teaches kids about shapes and patterns while recycling an item that would otherwise be discarded. It also strengthens fine motor skills as kids learn to manipulate small shapes and make repeated prints.
Find a full tutorial on straw stamping here.
4. Bottle Top Stamping: Quick and Effective
Milk bottle lids or other plastic caps are a brilliant base for stamps, especially when paired with foam stickers or cut-out shapes.
What You Need:
- Plastic bottle lids (milk lids, soda caps, etc.)
- Foam stickers or craft foam sheets
- Washable paint
- Glue (if attaching foam pieces yourself)
- Paper
How to Make It:
- Attach foam shapes or stickers to the top of each bottle lid.
- Make sure the shapes are securely glued or firmly pressed on.
How to Play:
- Dip the foam-covered lid into paint.
- Press onto paper to create clear, distinct shapes.
- Try using different caps for variety and make pattern sequences.
Why It Works:
Bottle tops are the perfect size for little hands to grip and hold steady. Foam shapes add a tactile element and make stamping more interesting. Plus, this activity can be made in minutes with items you already have at home!
See full instructions for bottle top stamping here.
5. Heart Tube Stamping: Love from the Toilet Roll
A simple toilet paper roll can be transformed into a sweet heart stamp with just a little squeeze.
What You Need:
- An empty toilet roll or paper towel roll
- Washable paint (red or your child’s favourite colour)
- Paper
How to Make It:
- Squeeze the middle of the tube gently with your fingers to create two points at the top, forming a heart shape.
- Use tape to hold the shape if needed.
How to Play:
- Dip the heart-shaped end into paint.
- Stamp on paper to create heart patterns.
- Use this for Valentine’s Day cards, decorating gift wrap, or just for fun.
Why It Works:
This activity uses a common household item in a new and exciting way. It’s also a fantastic introduction to shape recognition and seasonal crafting. Kids love seeing a toilet roll turned into something beautiful and useful!
Find more heart-shaped activities here.
6. Sponge Stamping: Cut, Dip, Stamp
Sponges are versatile craft tools and can be cut into any shape you like–from stars and circles to animals and abstract forms.
What You Need:
- Kitchen sponges or craft sponges
- Scissors (adult use)
- Washable paint
- Paper
How to Make It:
- Cut sponges into simple shapes. You can use cookie cutters as templates for perfect shapes.
- Attach a small handle or stick to the sponge if you want (optional).
How to Play:
- Dip the sponge into paint.
- Press firmly onto paper.
- Combine different shapes and colours to create pictures or patterns.
Why It Works:
Sponges are soft and tactile, making stamping a sensory experience. They absorb paint evenly, giving great coverage, and the activity encourages creativity and pattern-making. Plus, sponges can be reused for future painting or cleaning activities.
Conclusion
Stamping is more than just a fun art project–it’s an enriching sensory experience that promotes creativity, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and colour recognition. It encourages children to experiment, make decisions, and express themselves.
Best of all, stamping is easy to set up and clean up (with the right supplies!) and adaptable to children of all ages and abilities. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or carer, these six simple stamping activities are a wonderful way to spend quality, creative time with your little one without needing a long list of fancy supplies or expensive tools.
So gather your potatoes, bubble wrap, straws, bottle tops, toilet rolls, and sponges, get your washable paints ready, and dive into the wonderful world of stamping!
