With this simple technique, your little artist can put his own stamp on gifts for family and friends. For easier dipping and more defined prints, use a brush to smooth the paint on the plate after every few stamps. This project is good for kids 2 years and up. You will need:
* Acrylic or fabric paint
* Disposable plates
* Paintbrush
* Small plastic bottles (we like Aquapods and 1-liter Polar Seltzer bottles), partially filled with water, and the caps on
* Scrap paper
* Item to be stamped (see suggestions below)
To start, pour a thin layer of paint onto a plate; use a separate plate for each color. Smooth the paint with the paintbrush, then have your child press the bottom of a bottle into the paint and practice printing on a piece of scrap paper. You may need to help him press the bottle down to get a defined print. Once he gets the hang of it, have him print designs on the object he wants to decorate (put a piece of cardboard or thick paper inside anything made of cloth to prevent the paint from bleeding through). Then with his fingertip or the top of a bottle cap, he can make the flower centers. Let the paint dry completely.
– Disney FamilyFun magazine