How to Dress Up a Regular Potato for a Project

Transform an ordinary potato in to an art project using household items.

Mr. Potato head, with his interchangeable features and accessories, has been a popular toy since 1952. However, it isn't always practical to provide a Mr. Potato Head for every child. With a little supervision, guidance and creativity, children can make their own version of Mr. Potato Head. This inexpensive art project can be used as an entertaining craft or a teaching tool and is appropriate for children of all ages.

Things You'll Need

• Buttons, string and other household or decorative items
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• All-purpose glue
• Craft sticks, cut in half

Instructions

1. Choose and wash one medium to large-sized potato for each child. Look for potatoes with an oval or oblong shape and smooth skin.

2. Mark the location of the eyes, nose and mouth on each potato.

3. 

   Collect buttons for the potato's eyes.

   Gather household items like buttons, yarn and shells to use as features for the potato. Choose decorations that are in proportion with the size of the potato.

4. 

   Make accessories out of colorful paper.

   Help children cut clothes, hair and accessories for the potato out of construction paper.

5. 

   Use glue to attach the items to the potato.

   Help children attach the decorations to the potato with all-purpose glue.

6. 

   Arms and legs can be made from craft sticks.

   Insert craft stick halves into each potato to create arms and legs.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow glue to dry completely before letting the children play with the potatoes. To use the potatoes as a teaching tool; have children decorate the potatoes as fictional or historical characters, and then use their potato dolls to act out scenes from books or reenact historical events.

• When working with young children, constant supervision is necessary. Do not use items on which children can choke or that can cause injury.

References

• The Savvy Source for Parents: DIY Mr. Potato Head
• The Great Idea Finder: Mr. Potato Head History