How to Make Fruit and Vegetable Prints

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Gather your fruits and vegetables.

   Use fruits and vegetables you already have, or make a special trip to the grocery store with your child to pick out produce with potential.
   
   Look for star fruits, citrus fruits, or anything with an interesting shape or texture. You can cut an apple crosswise for the star pattern in the center. Try something really small, such as a blueberry or grape cut in half, or really big, such as a grapefruit or cabbage cut in half. Carrot tops or celery can be used to make an interesting feather pattern. Try a zucchini cut lengthwise and one cut across for different effects.

2. Lay out a sheet of paper

   Use masking tape to hold the paper in place. Pour tempera paints, in the colors of your choice, into shallow bowls or plates.
   
   
   Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

3. Dip the fruit or vegetable in the paint

   Press it firmly to the paper, lifting it up smoothly to create a clean print.
   
   Don’t worry about clean prints with the younger toddlers, just introduce them to the general concept of printmaking.

4. Repeat!

   Repeat with different fruits and different colors of paint.
   
   
   Photo by Jean Van’t Hul