Homemade Mr. Potato Head

Below are some options for making your own Mr. Potato Head from various household and natural items. This is simply a starting point. Allow yourself to improvise, adding ideas and components as you see fit.

Materials

• Clean table top/work space
• Vegetables and other household items
• Toothpicks
• Newspaper/Table Cloth
• Tape (optional)
• Scissors (for cutting fabric and other items)

Setup a clean working space for this activity. Cover a dining room table or even the floor with newspaper or an old table cloth. Group items together and lay them out. Using small bowls to hold all the different decorative items is a nice way of keeping order during the project. As the wave of creativity surges, things can start to get a little messy. Allow each child to select their own "blank canvas" body. Depending on age, demonstrate the safe and proper way to adhere items to the body using the toothpicks. With younger children make sure to monitor the items they use and prevent any dangerous or unwanted behavior.

The Body

A variety of different foods can act as the “blank canvas” for your very own Mr. Potatohead. Items that are left raw and have a naturally rigid composition will allow for the most durability. Below is a list of a few possible items to use, but the options are endless:

• Potato (obviously)
• Sweet Potato
• Pumpkin
• Squash (Acorn, Summer, etc.)
• Apple
• Melon

Decorating Items (Body Parts)

Below is a list of some items and their possible intended uses. A search into your available resources will inevitably produce a variety of options. (Note:You can also buy the Mr. Potatohead Kit, and use actual pieces on one of the above mentioned foods.)

Household Items

• Buttons (noses, eyes, ears)
• String/Yarn (hair)
• Old Earrings (eyes, accessory, etc.)
• Fabric (clothing)
• Tissue Paper (hair, clothing, etc.)
• Newspaper (images can be cut out and used)
• Playdough/Clay (kids mold their own parts)
• Sticks, leaves, and rocks (arms, clothing, eyes, etc.)

Food Items

• Raisins
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Marshmallows
• Olives
• Carrots
• Celery
• Berries
• Coffee Beans

Use toothpicks to secure all decorations on to the body—tape may need to be used with some items such as string or yarn. Stay away from glue and other adhesives as they can be rather messy to work with, and limit the ability of the child to edit and change their construction choices.

In the end this project is about having fun and being creative. Have your kids talk out their construction techniques and ideas—funny voices and goofy sound effects are key to making this project a success. They will love making their own Mr. Potato Head at home.