Apple Stamping

An apple makes a perfect paint stamp, and it comes with a surprise inside. Today your little one dips apple halves in paint and prints them onto paper. Cut one apple the "wrong" way, and a star appears.

What you need

• 2 apples

• Washable paint in red, green and yellow, on paper plates

• Paper or an old paper bag

• A paper towel

• A smock or old shirt

How to do it

1. Grown-up cuts. Cut one apple in half from top to bottom (the usual way). Cut the other one in half across the middle, like a belt.

2. Find the star. Show your child the apple cut across the middle. Point out the star shape made by the seeds. Ask, "How many points does the star have?" (Five!)

3. Dry it off. Pat the cut sides with a paper towel so the paint sticks.

4. Dip and stamp. Your child holds the apple by the skin, dips it in paint and presses it down on the paper. Lift straight up to see the print.

5. Make it a tree. Draw a brown trunk and let your child stamp apples all over it. Or make a pattern: red, green, red, green.

Why we love it

Stamping is a simple way to explore shape, color and pattern. Kids see that the apple always makes the same shape, and they practice pressing, lifting and planning where the next print goes. The hidden star is a small science moment that never gets old.

Tips from our table

• Stick a fork into the round side of each apple half to make a handle.

• One color per plate keeps the colors from turning brown.

• Don't eat the stamping apples after they've been in paint.

Shop these items

Everything mentioned in this post, in one place. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

• Crayola washable kids paint

• Paper plates

• Brown paper bags

• Kids art smocks

• Shop everything for Week 2: Apples

• Starter supplies: the basics we use most weeks

• See every week in our Amazon storefront

More for this week: see all our Apple activities, Letter B activities and Number 2 activities.

Every child is different. Please use your own judgment about what's safe and right for your family. Always supervise children during activities and while eating, and adjust foods for allergies, dietary needs and your child's age and chewing ability. Sprocket & Sprout shares these ideas for fun and learning only. We are not responsible for any injury, allergic reaction, damage or mess that may result from trying them. This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.