How to make a stamp block is way easier than you might think. We love making stamps for kids! This DIY stamp craft is great for kids of all ages like: toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten kids! Making your own block stamps is also budget-friendly which makes it the perfect craft for at home or in the classroom.

DIY Rubber Stamps For Kids

Do your kids love crafts? Mine do! And I had a big batch of notes to write, long overdue! And no cards. Time for a kids craft.  In the past we have made our own cards with scratch-n-sniff paint. That was fun, but it’s time to try something new – well new to us!  

We made rubber stamps from foam – to print cards together. You may have purchased foam stamp or carved stamps from craft stores and realize how expensive they can be. One of the fun things we are doing today is making our own foam stamps with stuff we already have around the house.

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Video: How To Make a Stamp Rubber BLocks

Supplies Needed for Homemade Stamps

• Foam Sheet with a sticky side (or craft foam with glue)
• Craft Paint (Satin sheen looks GREAT)
• Scissors or some sort of cutter
• Old Toy Block
• Cardstock Paper
• Pencil or pen

How To Make Simple Block Stamps For Kids

Step 1

Cut lots of little strips from your block.  

Step 2

Lay them over your block in a diagonal fashion if you want the “Chevron” look.  You can also make plaid with stripes. The sky is the limit!

Step 3

Lay your strip over the block and “pinch” it where the overlap goes over the edge of the block. This will be your “cut line”.  

Step 4

Cut along the crease with your scissors.  

Step 5

Remove the backing to the strips and lay them over the block.

Step 6

Dip the foam covered block lightly in paint and press it on your cardstock paper. Viola!

Step 7

Repeat with a variety of patterns to create the design that your cards will have.

It might be fun, try overlapping a variety of colors. We loved the look of the neon yellow covered by neon pink. Gorgeous!

Making Homemade Stamps For Kids Are Great For Any Occasion

This is a great craft activity for an older elementary aged kiddo or tween.  They can use the cards for invitations to slumber parties or pool parties!   Or maybe you will be like me and steal the cards for a belated thank you. My kids also liked stamping their own homemade wrapping paper and then making coordinating gift tags with their homemade block printing.

Our Experience Making this Block Stamp

• We used paint, but using stamp pads would be less messy — we just didn’t have any on hand.
• When painting the paint onto the stamp block, using a paint brush was easiest to assure that there wasn’t too much ink or paint. The excess paint can cause the stamp to not turn out the way the kids wanted.
• We used foam with adhesive on the back, but you could use foam attached with glue or hot glue. You could even experiment with cardboard.
• Try using fabric paint and then applying your block printing to t-shirts or fabric.
• Test out the block print on a piece of scrap paper or paper towel before printing.
• Acrylic paint is easier to clean up than oil-based paint and makes good block print ink for simple shapes.

More Stamping Crafts For Kids At Kids Activities Blog

• Check out this easy stamping idea– using corks to paint bugs and creepy crawlies.
• Wow, I love this easy apple stamp craft for kids!
• Did you know Crayola released emoji stamping markers?
• You have to try out this fun DIY stamped t-shirt tutorial.
• Have you tried this simple pencil eraser stamp craft?
• Try this art with food! Make green pepper shamrock stamps!

How did your homemade stamps for kids turn out?