Block Printing for Kids using Styrofoam!

Easy Block Printing or Lino printing for kids!

Who am I kidding?  I loved this too!

Supplies you will need:

Styrofoam (we used plates)

Stylus, pens, or other pointy tools...(you can also use a mechanical pencil without lead)

paper  (scrap paper for a work surface, cardstock for prints)

pigment ink pad

Brayer

And I used a couple kids...an 8 year old and a 10 year old.

We began by cutting the ridge off the plates, so they

 had a flat working surface of styrofoam.

Then they chose a stylus and began drawing on the plate.  

The stylus pushes the foam in creating a relief drawing.

It's seriously fun!  You'll want to make a few!

Once your "carving" is done, it's time for ink!

We tried using paint and other combos of stuff...but nothing worked except

Pigment ink!  Bust out those pigment, goopy, sticky ink pads!

We used Stampin' up white

Roll your brayer in the ink until it is covered

Then roll it onto your print!  Don't push too hard, but make sure it is covered!

Pick up your print carefully by the edges so you don't smear the ink...

Turn it over and press it onto your cardstock.

Because we were using white ink, we used dark paper.

I had a roller that we used to press the backside to make sure the ink stamped off onto the paper. 

You could use the back of a spoon too!

Lift up carefully and behold your first print!

Now you'll have to do more! 

 Like a Tardis!

And a print of dragons!

 You can print that one off as many times as you like!

We hurried and got out the gold pigment ink too!

Looks great in gold!

I tried one with a plastic suncatcher ornament thing because it is already has raised edges.

Hammered it on the foam...

It made quite the impression...

But really didn't ink up that well...still cute for a Valentine card I think!

My daughter had the right idea and made up some Candy Cane Christmas cards!

My kids loved that they could MASS PRODUCE their art!

Oh no, they ARE like me!!!!

4 prints and they all look great!

Hay cut hers out and mounted them on cards

And they gave them to people for Christmas...like the Librarians!

For Dan's we framed it!  Who doesn't love 4 dragons?
You will notice there are 2 flying dragons, a drake and a water dragon.

If you are needing a fun project to do with kids,

this is the one!

Linking up to THESE parties this week!