Fun with kids Archives • The Soggy Stamper

Simple handmade birthday card using the Zany Zebra stamp set. This card is a perfect one to make when stamping with kids.

Stamping with kids is fun and can be challenging or it can be very gratifying. There are some things I have learned over the years that might help you enjoy the time spent with your kids.

First you need to keep the projects simple. This card is a good example of this. I chose a stamp set that would appeal to children. This is the Zany Zebras stamp set (152536). The zebras are cute and don’t need to be colored in. You can fine other stamp sets that would appeal to kids on pages 94-99 of the 2020 – 2021 Annual catalog. I stamped the three different zebra images randomly on the Whisper White cardstock with Memento Ink and added a greeting in the middle. With kids I suggest they stamp the greeting first and then stamp the animals around it. That layer was then added to the card base of Mango Melody cardstock.
It is important to give the kids a brief lesson on how to use the stamps, ink pads, and adhesives. Show them to tap, tap, tap the stamp onto the ink pad rather than pressing down really hard. Teach them to close up the stamp pads as soon as they have finished using it to avoid getting ink all over everything. Show them how to clean the stamps as soon as they have used them by stamping off the excess ink onto scrap paper before washing them. This keeps your scrubber from getting filled with ink right away.
You may have a specific designed project for the kids to make but be prepared for them to do their own thing. I used to get so frustrated because the kids would totally cover the card with images ruining (in my mind) the composition by adding too much stuff. But you know what? They were having great fun and enjoying being creative! Isn’t that the purpose of introducing them to stamping?
Another thing I have learned when stamping with kids is to have a predetermined amount of product available for them to use. I had a class of girls that were about ten years old. The project included using self-adhesive rhinestones and I just put the package out on the table. I had intended them to each use only three rhinestones. However, they would have used the whole package if I hadn’t stopped them! Oops…lesson learned. Cut up the package into pieces containing the three rhinestones they are to use and give one to each stamper, then put the rest away.
Finally, relax! Stamping with kids is fun. It is a wonderful way to spend a rainy afternoon or when they are bored. The time spent together is well worth the effort and you are encouraging their creativity. I hope these point on stamping with kids help. Contact me for more ideas or answers to questions you may have.