• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Get Our Latest Updates: Download a FREE Set of Coloring Pages! ⇾

Menu Icon
Close Extra Navigation
  • Coloring Posters
  • Coloring Pages
  • Virtual Preschool
  • Shop
    • Giant Coloring Posters
    • Coloring Pages
    • Virtual Preschool • Semesters
    • Virtual Preschool • Weekly
    • Directed Drawings
    • Gift Card
  • Blog
    • Sensory
    • Art
    • Outdoor
    • Science
    • Draw
    • Math
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
Friends Art Lab

Friends Art Lab

LOGIN

Menu Icon
Close Extra Navigation
  • Coloring Posters
  • Coloring Pages
  • Virtual Preschool
  • Shop
    • Giant Coloring Posters
    • Coloring Pages
    • Virtual Preschool • Semesters
    • Virtual Preschool • Weekly
    • Directed Drawings
    • Gift Card
  • Blog
    • Sensory
    • Art
    • Outdoor
    • Science
    • Draw
    • Math
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
go to homepage
  • Coloring Posters
  • Coloring Pages
  • Virtual Preschool
  • Shop
    • Giant Coloring Posters
    • Coloring Pages
    • Virtual Preschool • Semesters
    • Virtual Preschool • Weekly
    • Directed Drawings
    • Gift Card
  • Blog
    • Sensory
    • Art
    • Outdoor
    • Science
    • Draw
    • Math
  • Coloring Posters
  • Coloring Pages
  • Virtual Preschool
  • Shop
    • Giant Coloring Posters
    • Coloring Pages
    • Virtual Preschool • Semesters
    • Virtual Preschool • Weekly
    • Directed Drawings
    • Gift Card
  • Blog
    • Sensory
    • Art
    • Outdoor
    • Science
    • Draw
    • Math
Friends Art Lab / Blog / Apple Stamps Process Art Activity

Apple Stamps Process Art Activity

Author: Kristian Klebofski    Published: 08/04/2023     Updated: 04/15/2025

Apple stamps are a process art preschool classic and a hit year after year. Fall means it’s time to make all the apple projects!

Two paper plates sit next to one another, one with red paint and one with yellow paint. In each color of paint are apple stamps (an apple half with a popsicle sticking it in). Below the plates is a white piece of paper with red, yellow, and green apple stamps.
Table of Contents:
  1. Apple stamps are an adorable Fall process art activity
  2. Apple stamps fit the ultimate “process art rule”
  3. Materials
  4. Before you begin Save your apple seeds!
  5. How to make apple stamps
  6. A note about color mixing
  7. Kick apple stamps up a notch Make an apple tree
  8. Apple stamps are such a delightful Fall process art activity
  9. Frequently Asked Questions

Apple stamps are an adorable Fall process art activity

In the preschool classroom, we make apple stamps every year.

Every single year.

It just feels right.

🍎 Related: Check out this apple-solutely adorable collection of 25+ apple activities for kids!

A hand holds three apple stamps each with different colored paint on the apple in red, yellow, and green. Behind the stamps is a paper with colorful apple prints.

Apple stamps fit the ultimate “process art rule”

In the world of process art, one rule defines it all.

Setting up an art project should never take you (the adult) more time than it does for the kids to actually do the project.

Apple stamps pass this test with flying colors as they’re beyond simple to prep and can last for hours of play, art, and fun.

Looking for more apple activities? These are “apple-solutely” adorable:

  • 🍎 Apple Salad Spinner Paintings 
  • 🍎 Dancing Apple Seeds
  • 🍎 Apple Pie Sensory Bin
  • 🍎 3-Dimensional Apple Tree Art
The materials for the project: three white plates with paint on each, large popsicle sticks, two fresh apples, and white paper.

Materials

Friends Art Lab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.

  • Apples cut in half
  • Kids’ paint 
  • Popsicle sticks
  • Plates
  • White paper
Two apples are cut in half. Two apple halves sit on a table, two are in an outstretched hand with a small collection of apple seeds.

Before you begin: Save your apple seeds!

When you cut your apples in half, you will find your apple’s seeds.

Don’t throw them away! Instead, save them to make dancing apple seeds.

A white piece of paper has yellow apple shapes stamped onto it. A hand holds an apple stamp. A white paper plate with yellow paint sits above the paper.

How to make apple stamps

I almost always have apples in my refrigerator, and whenever we make apple stamps, I either buy the least expensive variety at the store or use whatever is the least fresh in the fridge.

First, begin by cutting an apple in half (for adults to do). 

Next, the apple halves flat side down, and push a popsicle stick into the rounded top of the apple to serve as a handle.

Then, add paint to plates (I used red, yellow, and green) and set one apple half into each paint color.

Last, invite your kids to stamp the apples on their papers!

Two paper plates sit next to one another in the background, one with red paint and one with yellow paint. An apple stamp sits in the middle of a paper with red, yellow, and green apple stamps.

A note about color mixing

Kids are inevitably going to mix paint colors when making apple stamps. 

Here are some strategies you can use to avoid overly muddy colors:

  • Strategy 1: Occasionally rinse off the apples so they’re “fresh” and blank for stamping.
  • Strategy 2: Add small amounts of paint to the plates at a time so they’re constantly refreshed.
  • Strategy 3: Invite the kids to follow the lightest to darkest color sequence. For example, here I might have them use yellow first, then red, then green.

And, friends, just remember that colors will get mixed no matter what you do, and it doesn’t impact the experience and beauty of the project. Instead, it’s a valuable learning opportunity for kids to see what happens when two colors touch.

You can take steps to avoid how mixed the colors get but don’t fret when it happens. 

Three photos. (1) A white piece of paper has the brown outline of a tree drawn. (2) A hand holds an apple stamp and stamps a green apple onto the tree outline. (3) The tree outline is covered in many apple stamps.

Kick apple stamps up a notch: Make an apple tree

A fun, optional twist to this project is to invite your child to draw or paint a tree shape (trunk + branches) for them to make their apple stamps.

Sometimes I do regular apple stamps one day and if the kids are really into it I’ll save the apples and the next day we’ll make apple trees, too!

Apple stamps are such a delightful Fall process art activity

There’s something magical and just perfect about the simplest projects.

Save your papers as wrapping paper, cards, signs, or beautiful-just-as-they-are masterpieces.

Have fun!

A hand holds an apple stamp upside down above plates with paint on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this activity recommended for?

Any that can safely use the materials + enjoy the process.

What do children learn from stamping?

Stamping is a form of printmaking where kids identify shapes, complete designs, and use fine motor skills.

What type of apple works best for this?

Any! What’s fun is you can use any size, any variety, any color, etc.

Friends Art Lab Best Resources:

GIANT 10-Foot Coloring Banners 🎨
Printable Coloring Pages for Kids ✍🏼
Learn About Virtual Preschool 🖥️
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
← Previous Post
DIY Marbled Shaving Cream Shoes
Next Post →
Dancing Apple Seeds Preschool Science

EXPLORE A CATEGORYArt, Fall

Related Activities

  • Apple Salad Spinner Paintings
  • A piece of white paper has a brown paper trunk glued on and many red, yellow, and green fingerprint apples. Two hands use their index fingers to add more fingerprint apples. A white paper plate with red and yellow paint sits next to the paper.
    Fingerprint Apple Trees - Preschool Art
  • Apple Activities for Preschool
  • Apple Coloring Pages for Kids

Let’s Stay Connected!

Get our favorite ideas and news sent directly to your inbox.

Reader Interactions

LEAVE A COMMENT

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Kristian

Hi, I’m Kristian!

I have spent over 15 years in the preschool classroom, I have a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, and I was a college professor of education for eight years. My passion is sharing creative learning activities for children and I'm so happy you're here.

LEARN MORE

Best Summer Activities

A collage of water table activities around the perimeter and in the center reads the text "30+ water table activities for kids"

Water Table Activities for Kids

A smiling preschooler stands outdoors at a water table, holding and squeezing a yellow sponge over a bin of turquoise water. The child’s colorful shirt and the bright green yard create a playful backdrop for this joyful moment during sponge water play for kids.

Sponge water play for kids

Hands holding a set of freshly frozen neon paint popsicles with distinct rainbow stripes of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, ready for painting outdoors on a white surface.

How to Make Neon Paint Popsicles

A young girl with long blonde hair and a pink shirt smiles while playing at a white table filled with colorful neon water bins. Each bin holds a different bright color, and paint bottles are lined up behind them. The scene takes place on a sunny patio surrounded by greenery. This playful moment highlights the joy of neon water outdoor play for preschoolers.

Neon Water Outdoor Play Preschool Summer Activity

ALL SUMMER POSTS

Best Sensory Activities

A collage of water table activities around the perimeter and in the center reads the text "30+ water table activities for kids"

Water Table Activities for Kids

A smiling preschooler stands outdoors at a water table, holding and squeezing a yellow sponge over a bin of turquoise water. The child’s colorful shirt and the bright green yard create a playful backdrop for this joyful moment during sponge water play for kids.

Sponge water play for kids

A young girl with long blonde hair and a pink shirt smiles while playing at a white table filled with colorful neon water bins. Each bin holds a different bright color, and paint bottles are lined up behind them. The scene takes place on a sunny patio surrounded by greenery. This playful moment highlights the joy of neon water outdoor play for preschoolers.

Neon Water Outdoor Play Preschool Summer Activity

Side-by-side image showing a box of food coloring and a bin of green glitter water with two wooden spoons, part of a taste-safe sensory play setup.

Taste-Safe Sensory Play Shimmer Water

ALL SENSORY POSTS

Footer

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok

Friends Art Lab Shop

  • Coloring Banners
  • Virtual Preschool
  • Coloring Pages
  • Directed Draws
  • Affiliate Shop

Visit the Blog

  • Sensory
  • Art
  • Outdoor
  • Science
  • Draw
  • Math

Customer Service

  • Contact Us
  • Shipping
  • Return Policy
  • Gift Card
  • FAQ
  • About Us

© 2025 Friends Art Lab ·  Privacy Policy ·  Terms & Conditions ·  Disclosure ·  SITE CREDITS