Heart printmaking with foam shapes is the perfect mix of art, math, sensory and fun for kids. Grab your foam shapes (or cardboard) and let’s get stamping!

- Today we’re trying heart printmaking with foam shapes
- Painting and heart printmaking with foam shapes
- Materials
- How to do heart printmaking with foam shapes
- Choosing paint colors for heart printmaking collagraphs
- Wait, what are collagraphs?
- Creative ways to use your heart collagraph prints
- Why kids love heart printmaking with foam shapes
- Frequently Asked Questions
Today we’re trying heart printmaking with foam shapes
Many years ago, I went on my first “big girl” business trip all on my own to Seattle to an art educators conference and this project almost had me falling out of my seat.
Some of the classes were presentations, some were hands on, and one of my hands-on sessions was making collagraphs.
It was love at first print.
Collagraphs are limitless. You can make anything! I created a flower design, but I have never stopped using this technique for all kinds of seasonal process art for kids.
These hearts are perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and any day of the year.
Painting and heart printmaking with foam shapes
Printmaking is the perfect project for the youngest and the oldest artists. It’s simple enough for the littles to be successful, but open-ended enough that older artists have tons (and tons) of opportunities to add intricacies and details.
Kids will love rolling paint onto their custom heart-shaped “plate,” watching the colors mix and swirl. The big reveal (when they lift their heart plate off the paper) is pure magic every time!
And the best part? It’s a low-prep activity that packs a big creative punch. A win for busy families and teachers!
Check out these other Valentine’s Day favorites:
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.
- Sturdy paper – ex: poster board (what we used here) or cardboard
- Foam shapes – you could also cut out shapes from cardboard
- Glue stick
- Kids’ paint
- Paintbrush or brayer (a brayer is a roller traditionally used in printmaking, but paintbrushes work wonderfully, too!)
- White paper
How to do heart printmaking with foam shapes
- Draw a large heart on a sturdy piece of paper, cardboard, or poster board.
- Fill in sections of the heart with a glue stick and invite kids to add foam shapes.
- Roll or paint a layer of kids’ paint over the foam shapes.
- Turn the foam heart plate over onto white paper.
- Rub gently to transfer the paint.
- Lift the plate to reveal the print.
- Repeat the process by reapplying paint to the foam shapes and printing on fresh paper.
- Admire your collagraphs!
Teacher Tip: You can use regular school glue for the foam hearts, too. Make sure to let the glue dry completely before painting and printing or you risk them coming off of your “plate.”
Choosing paint colors for heart printmaking collagraphs
We used pink, red, and purple paints for our printmaking session because these analogous colors won’t become muddy when mixed together.
If, for example, we had used red, green, and purple paint, as the colors layered in the plate they would begin to become a brown-ish, grey-ish color.
Choosing colors near one another on the color will help to keep your colors true and vibrant.
Wait, what are collagraphs?
Collagraphs are a printmaking technique where a textured “plate” is created by assembling various materials onto a surface, such as cardboard or wood.
The word “collagraph” comes from the Greek word “kolla,” meaning glue, and “graph,” meaning drawing. It’s essentially a collage that becomes a printing surface.
Collagraphs are popular in art education because they combine tactile crafting with the art of printmaking. They’re also used by professional printmakers to create dynamic, textured artworks.
Creative ways to use your heart collagraph prints
- Make Valentine’s Day cards for friends and family.
- Cut them into smaller shapes to create bookmarks.
- Frame them as keepsakes or gifts.
- Use them to decorate a classroom Valentine’s Day board.
- Turn them into wrapping paper for small gifts.
- Laminate the prints as placemats.
- Incorporate them into a preschool Valentine activity display.
Why kids love heart printmaking with foam shapes
This preschool project is the perfect mix of hands-on fun and creativity.
Kids love the freedom to create their own foam designs and play with colors.
It’s also super sensory-rich: gluing foam, painting, and stamping involve many textures and movements.
The best part? It’s an activity you can enjoy together.
Plus, the foam heart plate itself becomes a unique piece of art—it’s like a double dose of creativity!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can experiment with cardboard and foam sheets cut into shapes.
Absolutely, with a little help! It’s a fantastic sensory activity.
Wipe it gently with a damp cloth or baby wipe after use.
LEAVE A COMMENT