Learn the easiest way to make a handprint ornament! Christmas handprints are a favorite with small children! Make special memories with these three cute and easy Christmas craft ideas. So fun for kids and they make great gifts. Santa, Christmas tree, and Reindeer ornament options.
Skills Required: Beginner. You’ll be rolling out clay, adding a child’s handprint, and then painting. You can choose to paint or your child can paint these Christmas handprints. It’s really up to you!
I’ve got an awesome tradition that you absolutely need to start for Christmas – while your children or grandchildren are young. Make a handprint ornament!
This is a holiday tradition that my mom and I started with my niece this year, and we wish we would’ve started when she was very young (she’s 5 now).
We have dreams of a Christmas tree with tons of handprint ornaments all over it that start small and get bigger. I wonder if my niece would let us make ornaments with her hands until she is 18?
That might be cute but I don’t know that she’d be up for it! It’s a fun idea though, don’t you think?
I’m going to show you the easiest way to make this kids Christmas craft below using air dry clay. You don’t have to mix anything, which is okay by me!
You’ll learn how to make a Santa handprint, a Christmas tree, and a reindeer ornament the easy way. These are SO cute!
PS – we have a salt dough recipe if you want one, and you don’t mind mixing! Don’t forget to check out our other easy holiday handprint crafts!
Gather These Supplies
- Crayola air dry clay
- Rolling pin
- Cookie sheet and wax paper
- Acrylic paint – washable/kid safe like Apple Barrel
- Mod Podge Gloss, Matte, or Satin (to seal) – I also used Mod Podge Sparkle on the Christmas tree
- Paintbrushes
- Knife or craft knife
- Scissors
- Mini pom poms
- Sparkly foam
- Wiggly eyes
- Baker’s twine
- Hot glue gun
- Sharpie
Thoughts On This Project:
To add additional clay, I picked up original piece and added another chunk. Then I rolled it in my hands to combine, and rolled it out again. I did this as opposed to just smushing another piece on the end and creating a visible line.
You can give your littles non-sharp knives (there are clay specific ones) and let them do the cutting part depending on their ages. Otherwise, mom or dad (or another adult) should be cutting clay.
The air dry clay is NOT white – so if you want the edges white like I did (to make the painting pop), then you’ll have to use white acrylic paint.
I suggest using a cookie sheet to place these on while they dry. It might take a few days and then you can move them around as needed.
Check out the final results. . . .
Christmas Tree
Reindeer
Santa
Get the printable how to card for this project below!
Handprint Ornament
Make these hand print Christmas ornaments using this simple tutorial! This is a very easy craft to do with children, and you'll also be making holiday memories.
Materials
- Air dry clay
- Acrylic paint – washable/kid safe
- Mod Podge
- Mini pom poms
- Sparkly foam
- Wiggly eyes
- Baker’s twine
- Sharpie
- Wax paper
Tools
- Rolling pin
- Paintbrushes
- Knife or craft knife
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Cookie sheet
Instructions
- Break off a large piece of clay and place it on the wax paper. The amount you’ll need depends on the size of the hand or foot you’re imprinting.
- Roll out the clay to about 1/2″ thick. If you find the clay you’ve rolled out isn’t big enough, add more.
- Place the hand down into the clay and push. Help toddler age or small children with this by pushing each individual finger and then the base of the palm down.
- Pull the hand out of the clay and then cut around the edge.
- Lay the clay ornaments out on the wax paper, then on top of the cookie sheet. Let dry overnight (this can take longer if you live in a humid area). DO NOT BAKE.
- Once the handprints are fully dry, paint them with acrylic paint. Use any colors you like; let dry. Don't forget to add accents like Santa's nose with the end of a paintbrush.
- Use a Sharpie on the Santa handprint to trace around the edges and accent the beard and hat. Then use the Sharpie to draw a face on the reindeer ornament.
- Seal the handprint ornaments with Mod Podge and let dry. I used Mod Podge Sparkle on the Christmas tree.
- To embellish, add wiggly eyes, pom pom noses, pom pom ornaments, and even cut a star out of craft foam for the tree. Attach with craft glue or a hot glue gun.
- Cut a length of baker's twine and hot glue to the back to hang.
Notes
One thing I did was stick the baker's twine into a hot glue dab I put on the back of the ornament, then put more hot glue on top to really secure it. They are kind of heavy and I didn't want them falling off the tree.
What do you think of these Christmas handprints? Which handprint ornament is your favorite? I’d love to know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out the following projects:
Jenny
Friday 22nd of December 2023
I am trying to make the Santa and hot glue isn’t sticking.
Amy
Friday 22nd of December 2023
Hi Jenny! If you are having problems just use craft glue.