Paint and draw

Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

Do some potato printing and make some arty designs to wrap your presents with!

photographs of potato printing activity

Sir Terry Frost was an artist who worked in Cornwall. He is best known for his abstract paintings. Abstract art is created by using colours, shapes and textures. We think that his shapes and colours would look great on wrapping paper!

Take a look at some of Frost's artworks ... which colours are your favourite? Want to design your own pattern?

Ready to make some wrapping paper?

Photograph of materials needed

You will need:

  • Coloured paints
  • A paintbrush
  • A pencil / pen
  • Some small potatoes
  • A sharp knife
  • Coloured paper (the bigger the present the bigger the paper you'll need!)

Let's get started

photograph of potato printing

1. Cut some potatoes in half. Ask an adult to help you

Photograph of potato printing activity

2. Draw your shape on the flat surface of the potato

Photograph of potato printing activity

3. Cut around your shape to make a 1cm tall potato stamp. Ask an adult to help

Photograph of potato printing activity

4. Choose a colour and paint the surface of your shape

Photograph of potato printing activity

5. Stamp the potato on the paper to make a print

Photograph of potato printing activity

6. Continue to print your pattern across the page

Photograph of potato printing activity

7. Now repeat with a different colour or two!

Photograph of potato printing activity

8. Once you're done, leave to dry for 15 minutes

Photograph of potato printing activity

10. All done! Now you're ready to wrap your presents. Why not add a bow?

Next time, try another shape ...

Photograph of potato printing activity

You could use a biscuit cutter to create your shape

Photograph of potato printing activity

Don't these stars look good?!

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