Raise your hand if you enjoy handprint crafts as much as I do! Here is a collection of my favorite handprint crafts for everyday fun, holiday memories or to give as keepsake gifts.
From the tiny hands of kids to the more experienced palms of adults, handprint crafts offer a heartwarming way to create keepsakes that freeze moments in time. Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of handmade treasures, get ready for a rewarding crafting experience!
How to get the best handprints for your crafts
Getting the best handprints for crafts requires a little prep and attention to detail. Here are some tips to ensure your handprint crafts turn out beautifully:
- Clean hands: Make sure your hands are clean and dry before starting. Any dirt or moisture on the hands can affect the quality of the print and the adherence of paint or other materials.
- Choose the right medium: Decide what you’ll be using for the handprints. It could be paint, ink, clay, or even dough. Choose a medium that works well for your project and is safe for the skin.
- Get quality materials: Invest in good paints or inks that are safe and washable. Non-toxic, water-based paints are usually the best choice for handprint crafts with kids.
- Practice: If you’re working with a new medium or trying a technique for the first time, practice on paper before applying it to your final project. This helps you get a feel for how much pressure to use and how the material behaves.
- Press evenly: When making the handprint, apply even pressure across the entire hand. This helps ensure that all parts of the hand come into contact with the surface, creating a clear and detailed print.
- Pay attention to positioning: Position the hand on the surface in the desired orientation. For many crafts, a flat hand with fingers slightly spread tends to work best. But, you can adjust the positioning to fit the project’s design.
- Be patient: If you’re making a craft that requires multiple handprints, like animals or flowers, do one handprint at a time. Let the first one dry before proceeding with the next to avoid smudging.
- Be quick and confident: When pressing the hand onto the surface, do it confidently but not too forcefully. A quick and controlled press usually yields the best results.
- Clean up: Have some damp cloths or baby wipes nearby for quick clean-up after making the handprint. This is especially important when working with paints or inks.
- Don’t expect perfection: Handprint crafts are meant to be personal and unique. Embrace the imperfections that make each print special.
Remember, handprint crafts are about capturing a moment in time and creating something meaningful. Enjoy the process and the memories you’re creating!
Ready for some inspiration? Scroll down to find handprint crafts for everyday fun, holiday memories or to give as keepsake gifts…
Handprint Crafts
Kids will enjoy making these handprint craft ideas any time you like! Scroll down for everyday ideas first, then holiday crafts you can give as gifts or preserve as keepsakes.
Everyday Handprint Crafts
Superhero Handprints
Make this easy superhero craft that can be used for birthday parties or as a card for Father's Day! Make Ninja Turtles, Batman, and Spiderman handprint cards your superhero fan will love.
Handprint Ice Cream Art
A toddler craft that is fun to make and cute enough to display! This ice cream art uses watercolors for easy clean up.
Handprint Bumblebee
Your kids can create an adorable buzzing bumblebee using their very own handprints in this simple yet delightful painting craft!
Handprint Campfire
A great craft for kids of all ages, this campfire features handprint flames and metallic marker stars.
Lion Masks
Are your kids wildlife fans? Children will love making and wearing these adorable handprint and paper plate lion masks. These easy to make animal masks are super fun for the dressing up box and a great way to inspire dramatic play and storytelling.
Handprint Fish Craft
This adorable fish is perfect for an under the sea theme or summer craft activity for kids!
Handprint Doodle Art
Markers and construction paper are all you need to make this creative art project. Kids will enjoy filling in the doodles!
Handprint Flamingo
Creating your own vibrant hot pink flamingos is a breeze with just card stock paper, glue, and a dash of glitter.
Handprint Rainbow
This rainbow painting for kids will allow your littles to get really “hands-on”! Children will love exploring color mixing and blending as they create their art.
Dinosaurs
With just cardstock, the provided template, and a handful of basic supplies, your dino loving child can effortlessly recreate this craft.
Owl Handprint
Embrace the spirit of autumn with this delightful owl handprint craft. The finished product can serve as a craft, keepsake, or a heartfelt gift!
Handprint Raccoon
Your preschooler can create this handprint raccoon with just a handful of steps. Super easy, and super cute!
Handprint Flower Bookmarks
Spring is right around the corner! Make some useful popsicle stick crafts with these one-of-a-kind handprint flower bookmarks. Make this fun idea with your child to celebrate the upcoming change in season and to create an awesome keepsake at the same time!
Handprint Peacock Painting
Who knew you could make a peacock with just your palm and the tip of your fingers? Follow this easy tutorial to create your own peacock painting!
Holiday Handprint Crafts
Easy Halloween Handprints
These are the cutest handprint crafts for kids ever – and they’re for Halloween! Get some footprint ideas too. So easy, toddlers can do them
Easter Handprint Cards
These are the cutest handmade Easter cards for preschoolers to make. Kids will love making their own handprint sheep, chick, and bunny! They only require a few supplies.
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.
Christmas Santa Jars
I love these Santa handprint jars for decor or gifts! Though I have to say, these kids' handprints make a great teacher appreciation gift for the holidays. Fill them with a teacher's favorite goodies.
Earth Day Handprint
Celebrate Earth Day with this handprint and leaf craft. Trace your handprint on a large leaf and then use it as a stamp!
Handprint Poinsettia Flower
This handprint poinsettia flower keepsake is perfect to place in a scrapbook or even a frame for instant Christmas decor!
Toddler Halloween Handprints
If you’re looking for a fun and easy Halloween craft for toddlers, these handprints are perfect! There’s a pumpkin handprint, spider handprint, and ghost footprint too.
Santa List Box
Create a keepsake box for the letters to the North Pole from the little ones. The Santa handprint on the front is so cute.
3 Easy Christmas Handprints
Christmas handprint crafts are a fun favorite with small children! Make special memories with these three cute and easy Christmas craft ideas.
Paper Bag Chinese Dragon Puppet
I love that this paper bag puppet uses handprints, paint, and glitter to let even the littlest kids in on the action. So easy to make, and you probably already have the supplies on hand. A great Chinese New Year craft idea!
Easy Handprint Zombies
If you have boys or girls at home that love zombies, they’re going to have a blast making this zombie handprint craft. Not spooky at all, these zombies are a perfect Halloween craft for kids.
Handprint Bunny Bags
I love a good handprint project. Don’t you? They are a perfect way to put a little love into a gift or project, and add just the perfect touch to an Easter gift for friends or family.
Handprint Flag Shirt
Create a patriotic kid's shirt to wear all summer long! Great for showing your love for the USA.
Halloween Ghoul Banner
This handprint ghoul Halloween banner is a great project for the kids to make and hang on the door to greet trick or treaters. It lets them get creative by drawing the faces, and also makes a wonderful group project.
DIY Handprint Gifts or Keepsakes
Handprint Flower Wreath
A beautiful handprint flower wreath perfect for a Mother's Day gift or as a keepsake for grandparents!
Baby Clay Handprint Keepsake
Use clay to capture your newborn's handprint. You can then frame it for display or turn it into an ornament you can enjoy every year!
Family Handprint Canvas
Layer handprints of varying sizes on a wood surface using Mod Podge! It's fun to use various paper patterns and colors in this project.
Easy Kids' Handprint Art
This Mother’s Day craft is one that you can treasure year after year – use this cute handprint art on canvas to measure the growth of your children!
Child's Handprint Jewelry Dish
Think of your child's tiny little hand every time you take off your rings before bed! This is a great Mother's Day gift idea.
Acorn Handprint Kitchen Towels
Create a kitchen towel for fall with "Mom's Little Acorns" made from handprints!
Embroidered Handprints
Similar to the family handprint canvas from earlier, this embroidery art has a different color hand for each family member!
You Are My Sunshine Photo Frame
What a sweet way to get the kids involved in a picture frame project! They'll use their handprints to make the sun. This DIY frame is perfect for an end-of-the-school-year idea.
Handprint String Art
Trace your little one's hand, add nails and get to stringing! This would make a great piece of keepsake art for a toddler's room.
Handprint Pillow
Give mom or Grandmom a pillow they will treasure with this handprint flower pillow. Add the date and you could create a new one each year!
Handprint Oven Mitt
Create a handprint oven mitt to add with a homemade treat as a gift for grandparents! I love the little note with it.
Forever Handprint Stones
Turn your handprints into stepping stones for your walkway or garden. They even show a pawprint version for your pup!
Handprint Keychain
Give dad a helping hand with this handprint keychain made using Shrinky Dinks! A fun idea as a Father's Day gift.
Handprint Coasters
Kids can create an inexpensive gift for mom with these DIY coasters! They are adorable, and super easy to make.
Are you inspired to create some handprint crafts? Which one will you try first? Let me know in the comments and then check out these other crafts that capture a moment in time: