February 14th is nearly here so we’re starting on our Valentine crafts with this carrot printing picture. It’s a simple craft for young children to try out, so long as they’re old enough to understand that this carrot isn’t to go in their mouth. You may have tried potato printing before but I find carrots are easier for little hands to grip.
You will need: a paper plate, some red and pink paint, a plate to put the paint on, a carrot, a craft knife or a kitchen knife with a sharp point, a ribbon and some sticky tape.
Cut the carrot in half and etch out a heart shape. A grown-up needs to do this part of course, but it’s fairly easy – I managed it! We did a small heart on one piece of carrot and a big heart on the other but you could do a cross shape for a kiss too.
If you level off the other end of the carrot you’ll be able to stand it upright when you’re not using it.
Put some paint on your plate and dip your carrots in.
Print out your hearts on to the paper plate.
Keep going using the red and pink paints until your artwork is complete.
Add a ribbon on to the back using sticky tape and hang your decoration for all to admire – or give as a present to the one you love.
More lovely Valentine’s Day activities for your children
Did you see all my other Valentine’s Day activities for children? I’ve got more free printables, art, math, science, literacy and play ideas, all with a Valentine theme. You can find them all here.
Pia Walker says
This is so awesome! I actually need to do some experiments with carrots themselves, and see if a wet carrot can give off some color. I’ve read that cooks use carrots to stain marzipan, so I know that some orange will come off.
This looks like lots of fun – thanks for sharing!
pia
Cathy says
The last time my daughter was munching carrots she got a stain all round her mouth so I think it will work for you!
Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog says
How cute! We made handmade Valentine’s today too — using paint chips. So much fun!
TheMadHouse says
Really cool, the boys love printing with veg. We will be doing this
Dawn/LittleGreenFingers says
I would try this if I didn’t have a slight foreboding feeling that I would probably slice off a finger trying to wittle the perfect heart…
Cathy says
You should give it a try – it was easier than I thought it would be.
Claire Lancaster says
Love this idea – fab – will be giving it a whirl next week! Thanks for the inspiration!
Cathy says
Hi Claire, glad you liked it. Hope you have fun with the printing.
Dara says
What a neat idea. I thought I was being all creative when I came up with beet prints. But carrots is really thinking outside the box! Great for smaller hands as the carrot is much easier to manipulate. Thanks for the idea! If you want to see how to do beet prints, check out my blog post here https://www.readilyaparent.com/2010/02/frugal-and-simple-valentines-day-print.html
Maggy, red ted art says
Oooh, the carrots work really well! Love it! ANd yes you are right, they are much much easier to hold! Love the idea!!
Maggy x
maryanne says
What a fantastic idea! And a great use for the carrots that are little past their best by date!
Cathy @ NurtureStore says
Thanks maryanne – I like the way this printing turned out 🙂
JDaniel4's Mom says
I have seen potatoes used to make prints. This is the first time I have seen a carrot. The hearts look wonderful.
Cathy @ NurtureStore says
Thanks JDaniel4’s Mom – I found them really easy to carve too.
Lisa @ Two Bears Farm says
That looks very fun. Great idea to use carrots instead of potatoes.
Mary Elderton says
This is such fun. When I taught Middle School, we did something like this with potatoes for Christmas—kids that age can be very creative.
Susie Chadwick says
Cool! We’re going to have to try this.
Veronica says
What a cool idea to do with the kids! Totally going to try it, thanks for sharing! Visiting from JDaniel4’s Mom Virtual Party 🙂
MyKidsMake says
fun idea using a carrots as stamps!!!
Andrea says
What a great twist on potato printing! fab idea thanks for sharing this cool craft
Crystal says
Too cute! I love that its super simple and the little ones can have a healthy snack with the other carrots
Cathy @ NurtureStore says
Thanks Crystal – thanks for stopping by.
Rashmie @MommyLabs says
What a beautiful, fun and easy stamping idea, Cathy! How neat is your heart carving. Thank you for sharing this link on my post listing other stamping ideas.
Cathy @ NurtureStore says
A pleasure Rashmie – great to swap ideas with you 🙂
Amanda says
Carrot printing is so much fun. I love how you have turned the circles into hearts! How creative!!! I shared a link back to this page with our readers on our most recent carrot post! https://theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-grow-carrots-and-5-reasons-why.html
Yvonne Varela Stringer says
Made this crafts with my 4 y.o. daughter today and she absolutely love it! Great idea to use carrot instead of potato, much easier for my little one.
Cathy James says
Yay Yvonne! You’ve made my day. So glad she enjoyed it. Happy Valentines