Easy Potato Print Axolotl Cards for Kids to Make
We haven’t had an Axolotl Craft for a while.. but we still LOVE all things Axolotl! They are such fun and fascinating creatures. So today, we have a cute and easy potato print Axolotl Card! This is a fun potato printing and finger print project, that can be customises for all seasons – e.g. you can turn it into a Axolotl Valentines Cards or Axolotl Father’s Day card, quickly and easily!
Easy Printed Axolotl Cards
As you can see.. from this manga image, I couldn’t decide on which greeting card occasion to make our printed axolotl cards for… so though I decorated some with paper cut outs (see the heart axlotl and the balloon axololts), I also had a quick edit with online tools, to show the potential that these cute axolotl cards have for lots of occasions – from Father’s Day Axolotl Cards to Christmas Axolotl Cards.
Top Tip for writing personal messages: if you feel “nervous” writing your axolotl puns by hand (I hear you!! You don’t want to “ruin” the card), you can write these out on paper first, cut and glue in position.. it will still look great! This way you can also expriment with bubble writing and different styles. Alternatively, write the axolotl pun message in light pencil, go over it in pen. Once fully dried, erase any visible pencil marks!
So, let’s take a look at this latest addition to our collection of Axolotl Crafts!
Supplies needed for your Axolotl Cards:
- Paints in desired colors – white + another colour works well, so you can get the different tones for the axolotl body and axolotl ferns
- A potato
- A paint brush and dish
- Cardstock
- Black pen for details
- OPTIONAL: scissors, glue stick and paper scraps for adding seasonal card variations – e.g. red paper for Valentine’s hearts, colorful paper for birthday balloons
How to make a Potato Print Axolotl Card
Choose your Axolotl Colors
This is a fun moment to allow your kids to explore a little color mixing. For our axolotl cards, we chose the “classic” pink axolotl, with darker pink axolotl ferns. But of course your axolotl can be any colors. Purple axolotl and blue axolotls are popular color choices too!
Make your Axolotl Potato Prints
Beginning making as flat a cut into your potato as possible. The more even the cut, the more even your final potato print. You can cut your potato length wise or across the middle for long thin axolotls or short chubby ones.
Pat your potato dry before you load it with paint.
Load your potato with paint – I actually like to add it with a paint brush!
Carefully make your prints and lift your potato back up. Sometimes, we “cheat” a little and fill in any gaps with a paint brush!
Add the Axolotl Ferns with Finger Prints
Time to add your axolotl ferns or axolotl gills (I am not sure what the right term is! I think they are actually external gills and that both terms are correct).
Add three ferns to either size of the head! Let dry fully!
Experiment with googly eyes, paper cut outs or simply draw some dots for eyes. We ended up prefering simple small eyes!
Similarly experiment with mouths. I actually prefer the wiggly mouth! But it is a question of preference!
Your basic axolotl card is finished! Now to decorate with paper scraps and pens!
Let’s Customise our Axolotl Cards for different Seasons and Occasions
Your basic axolotl cards are of course super cute they way they are… and you can “stop” and send them at this point or simply add one of the main Axolotl Puns outlined below to the bottom of the card. I think they are super cute as is!!
But, I also love adding more color and detail, by getting out my pail of paper scraps and just adding a bit of frog seasonal fun.
Top Tip for writing personal messages: if you feel “nervous” writing your axolotl puns by hand (I hear you!! You don’t want to “ruin” the card), you can write these out on paper first, cut and glue in position.. it will still look great! This way you can also expriment with bubble writing and different styles. Alternatively, write the axolotl pun message in light pencil, go over it in pen. Once fully dried, erase any visible pencil marks!
How to decorate your Axolotl Card for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a great theme for Axolotl Cards, because you have the fab little “Alotl” pun, which you can combine with like/ love/ smile type words! Then simply add lots of hearts and done!
Some Valentine’s Axolotl Puns
- I like you alotl
- I love you alotl
- You make me smile a lotl
- You are Alotl fun!
How to decorate your Axolotl Card for Birthdays
Birthday axolotl cards fun to make too.. a great way to add a pop of color by adding birthday cake candles (alotl of candles) and balloons. Of course a little axolotl party hat is cute too!
Some Birthday Axolotl Puns
- Have alotl of fun on your bithday
- That’s alotl of candles
- Let’s party alotl
- Enjoy alotl Birthday Cake
- Wishing you Alotl of Gifts
- Have alotl fun
- Relax Alotl on your Birthday
How to decorate your Axolotl Card other occassions
Axlotl cards are great for other occasions too. The “I love you alotl” pun works really well for Father’s Day and Mother’s Day too of course (just add moustaches, simple flowers, hearts or some areas of interests, e.g. a fishing rod), as well as for Christmas Axolotl Cards or Thank you Axolotl Cards
- Father’s Day Axolotl: I love you Alotl, Dad (add moustaches, hearts)
- Mother’s Day Axolotl: I love you Alotl, Mum (add flowers or hearts)
- Christmas Axolotl: Have a lotl fun this Christmas, Wishing you alotl of Gifts This Christmas (add simple paper gifts or Santa hat/ Reindeer antlers and party streamers)
- Thank You Axololt Cards: Thanks Alotle combined with flowers or stars
- Self Care Axolotl: Relax Alotl, read alotl, snack alotl etc
Feeling Axolotl Inspired? Need more fabulous and easy Axolotl Crafts, take a peak at these (adore the Paper Roll Axolotls and Axolotl Bookmarks!):