Toilet paper roll stamping: Christmas stars

Age: 2+ · Time: 25 min · For: Ages 3–5

An empty toilet paper roll is one of the best free craft tools there is. Pinch the end into a petal shape and it prints a perfect leaf every time. With a few prints in a circle, your toddler makes a bright red Christmas star or a white snowflake.

What your child does, where you help

Your child: dips, prints and adds the fingerprint dots.
You: shape the rolls and show where the next petal goes.

Variations

Wrapping paper: print stars all over a large sheet of brown paper.
Christmas cards: print one star on the front of a folded cardstock.
Wreath: print green petals in a ring and add red fingerprint berries.

Safety

Use non-toxic, washable paint, and cover the table and your child's clothes.

You need

2 or 3 empty toilet paper rolls
red, white and green paint (washable tempera paint or finger paint)
a little yellow or gold paint for the center of the flower
flat plates for the paint
a sheet of white paper for the poinsettia star, dark blue paper for the snowflake
a tablecloth or newspaper

Steps

Pinch one end of a toilet paper roll flat, then press the sides in to make a teardrop or petal shape. Do the same with a second roll for a narrower petal.
Pour a thin layer of red paint onto a plate.
Poinsettia: let your child dip the petal shape in red and print five or six petals in a circle, all pointing to the middle. Add a few green leaves in between with the second roll.
Finish the center with yellow fingerprint dots.
Snowflake: on dark blue paper, print six white petals in a star shape, then add small white dots around the tips with a fingertip.
Leave to dry flat for about 20 minutes.