Visual arts activity
Foam-Tray Printmaking
Press designs into a foam tray with a pencil, roll paint on, and print onto paper.
Materials and setup
- foam produce tray (washed)
- dull pencil
- tempera or block printing ink
- small roller or sponge
- paper
Parent note
Styrofoam trays are a safe entry to relief printmaking. Mention that real printmakers sign editions '1/10' to mean 'first of ten.' Letters and words must be carved MIRRORED to print correctly — great early lesson.
How this changes by age
Pre-K (ages 3–4)
Press designs into a foam tray with a pencil, roll paint on, and print onto paper.
Steps
- Flatten a clean foam produce tray.
- Press a simple drawing (a heart, star, face) into it with a dull pencil — don't poke through.
- Roll paint over the whole tray with a small roller or sponge.
- Press a paper on top and rub with your hand.
- Peel off — surprise, a print!
Learning objectives
- Experience relief printmaking
- Press lines to make a printing plate
- Transfer ink to paper
Kindergarten (ages 5–6)
Design a printing plate, pull 3 prints, and notice which is best.
Steps
- Draw your design lightly on the foam first.
- Press firmly with a dull pencil so the lines are deep.
- Roll paint across the whole plate evenly.
- Make 3 prints on 3 papers — the second and third are usually cleaner.
- Pick your favorite and say why.
Learning objectives
- Plan a print plate design
- Understand edition printing (multiple copies)
- Self-evaluate a series
Early elementary (ages 6–8)
Two-color print: pull black, let dry, then overprint a second color off-register for a graphic effect.
Steps
- Design and press your plate.
- Pull 4 prints in a first color (black works well). Let them dry.
- Clean the plate. Re-ink with a second color.
- Press the plate slightly shifted over the dried first print — creating an 'off-register' effect.
- Note how the shift changes the feel of the image.
Learning objectives
- Execute a two-color print
- Understand registration
- Use intentional misalignment as a design choice
Upper elementary (ages 8–10)
Edition of 5 identical prints, plus a reduction-style two-color version. Signed and numbered.
Steps
- Plan a design with strong positive/negative shape contrast.
- Press the plate with clear, bold lines.
- Pull an edition of 5 prints — aim for consistency in ink coverage and pressure.
- Sign and number each: '1/5', '2/5', etc., in pencil.
- Pick one print to overprint with a second color, shifted.
- Write 3 sentences: which print in your edition is strongest, and what does numbering teach you about editions vs. originals?
Learning objectives
- Produce a consistent edition
- Sign and number prints properly
- Understand edition conventions in printmaking
Safety and evidence note
Read the full activity before beginning. An adult should supervise tools, heat, food, outdoor work, movement, and experiments as appropriate. Completion records that the activity was done; the child’s explanation, work sample, photo, or demonstration is stronger evidence of learning than a completion check alone.
Related visual arts activities
Artist Spotlight: Georgia O'Keeffe
Look at O'Keeffe's huge flower paintings. Draw one flower really, really big.
Artist Spotlight: Hokusai
Look at 'The Great Wave' by Hokusai. Talk about the big wave and the little boats.
Artist Spotlight: Jean-Michel Basquiat
Look at Basquiat's energetic crown paintings. Draw your own crown and scribble-words around it.
Blind Contour Drawing
Look only at your hand (not the paper!) and draw it with one line. The drawing will look silly — that's the point.