Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is upon us, and there are many themes and observances that accompany this important holiday. Apples are vital to these celebrations, symbolizing our wishes for a sweet and healthy New Year. So what better object to integrate into this month’s art activities than apples?

Apples are certainly a healthy food that can be consumed at any time of the day. But they can also serve as an inspiration for a fun printing project to complete with your niece or nephew.

Supplies Needed:
2 or 3 apples (any kind, shape or color)
A paring knife (please keep it away from small children)
Washable tempera paints (Crayola, Elmer’s, etc.)
Large paper – heavy bond, 11” x 18” is recommended
Two or three washable ceramic or plastic dinner plates (or paper if preferred)
Newspaper or butcher block paper

Directions:
1)    As always, clear away an open spot on your kitchen table or on a counter, and cover it with newspaper or butcher block paper to ease clean-up.
2)    Cut the apples in half – so that they are easy to grip.
3)    Pour a thin layer of paint onto the plates.
4)    Allow the children to choose the piece of apple that they would like to work with. They can then dip the apple into the paint. One color at a time will work best at first.
5)    After dipping the apple in the paint, use the apple as a “stamper” and print onto the surface of the paper.
6)    Change colors, create patterns, mix colors, experiment and enjoy.

Helpful Hints:
1)    Use smaller crab apples if you are working with very small children with little hands.
2)    For young children, or the first time that you complete this project, use just one color of paint, and then gradually expand to more colors.
3)    I suggest that you use primary colors (red, blue and yellow) so that your niece and nephew have the opportunity to experiment with color mixing. They will have the chance to make discoveries of their own.
4)    Use as many colors as you’d like.
5)    If the color on the apples is getting muddy, just cut off a thin layer off the surface of the apples, and start again.
6)    Variations on this project involve household foods of all kinds, including cross sections of fruits and vegetables, the surface of corn cob, as well as any plastic manipulatives and toys that are washable.
7)    There are so many combinations of images that you can create using this process, and the sky is the limit. You can place the apple into two colors and then print, to see what color emerges.
8)    You might print one color of paint over old prints of another color.
9)    You can also allow the printed page to dry, and then you can draw with crayons and add details to your painted work.