Kids love making handprint art. What is more fun than dipping your hands in paint?
It’s incredible just how many ways you can turn a simple handprint into a work of art. All you need is a little creativity and a few ideas.
Today we have much more than a few; we started with over 75 and just keep adding fun handprint art projects that were all created with kids’ hands…I think the number has grown to over 150 kids handprint art ideas that work for children of all ages including adults.
Making Handprint Art at Home & in the Classroom
Handprint art is one of the easiest and best art projects for both the classroom and home. Here is why we love making this type of interactive art:
- Handprint art is one of the earliest art forms. Even babies can do it!
- Handprint art gives a time capsule of information if you repeat the same project.
- More than one hand can get in on the project.
- A perfect handprint is not required!
- Getting our hands all painty is fun.
- Giving the gift of handprint art is something that is appreciated by the receiver.
Use a non-toxic, washable paint on hands for the best results.
Best Paint for Handprints
Non-toxic, washable paint is a must for any type of kid art project, but even MORE important when it comes to handprint art. Traditionally, Tempura paint was the best option for creating handprint art because it is not permanent and easily washed off. Now there are other options including paints that are labeled “washable” which generally are marketed for toddlers and preschoolers because of their washability. These washable paints are not permanent. Acrylic paints are permanent and depending on the brand vary in their washability factor. All three of these types of paints are water-based which is essential when it comes to clean up!
Our very first footprint was made with ink…
Using Ink for Handprints
Using ink for handprints (and footprints) can be a nostalgic journey back to our very first print in the hospital. Traditional ink may be safe, but it is not easy to remove! There are now non-toxic and washable ink pad varieties that create the definition without the mess.
Holiday Handprint Crafts For Kids
So many of our favorite handprint crafts are holiday-related. I think it is one of the easiest art projects to do as a classroom or family. And what is so fun about handprint art is it becomes a memory of a moment in time when little hands were exactly that size…
Kids Christmas Handprint Art Projects
Make a handprint Christmas tree that is super cute as holiday decoration or homemade Christmas cards.
This homemade handprint salt dough ornament is the perfect keepsake. I can see making a new one every year to add to the tree! If you don’t want to go to the lengths of making salt dough, a similar process can be used on paper to make Santa and his beard.
DIY handprint Jesus in a manger for a festive Christmas celebration. This is the perfect Christmas preschool craft project for children’s church or home.
This homemade paper holiday wreath is decked out with handprint bows!
This cute Christmas keepsake would be the perfect homemade Christmas card idea that incorporates the kids hand and footprints.
Handprint Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph handprint craft for kids that uses a red pom pom for his very shiny nose.
Footprint reindeer alongside a cherished family photo makes a cute gift or keepsake.
DIY Rudolph the red nosed reindeer cards that double as homemade kid-made gifts.
Hands become Rudolph’s antlers in this toilet paper roll craft that is just adorable.
Here is a version that is a cute Christmas card featuring Rudolph himself.
This cute winter tree consists of a black-painted hand and a bunch of snowy white paint. This could work for both Christmas and winter fun.
Make a Rudolph antler hat using your handprints!
Make a handprint Christmas wreath on paper. What a cute project!
What a cute snowman family on this homemade ornament. Do you see where the handprint is?
Check out the salt dough snowman family ornament too. It is adorable!
Make Santa salt dough ornaments using little hands…and big hands too!
DIY Nativity salt dough handprint ornament the entire family can get involved in making and hanging on the tree.
Another fun salt dough handprint ornament is a Christmas tree and kids can do it all!
Check out the DIY Holly Jolly chalkboard decorated with handprint holly.
More Christmas handprint crafts!
Kids Thanksgiving Handprint Art Projects
Make a handprint turkey for Thanksgiving this year. This could make for a fun kids craft while the kids are waiting on dinner.
Here is another version of a handprint turkey that also includes feet. I love how it is displayed on a canvas.
And this version of a handprint turkey craft is one of my favorites.
Get the entire family involved with this family handprint turkey idea.
Super easy toddler handprint turkey craft made with paper plates.
This handprint turkey craft includes my favorite candy, Candy Corn (don’t judge me!). It is a festive and adorable craft project.
Make a salt dough handprint pumpkin as a keepsake from the holidays.
Make Turkey headbands out of colorfully cut out fingers and hands.
Handprint pumpkins are the perfect thing to make with super little hands. The texture of little fingers can be shaped with the help of a little paint and a sponge.
Create this thanks handprint cornucopia which includes every member of the family’s handprint.
Use your hands to create this ocean scene with ships sailing in the water. Celebrate the pilgrims voyage across the ocean with this handprint ship.
Here is a collection of Thanksgiving handprint ideas that you won’t want to miss. You can modify or create your own with this inspiration.
What a cute turkey frame whose feathers are made from handprints.
This is a fun fall craft that fits in with the whole spirit of thanksgiving. Make acorns with little fingers!
Here is a fun fall tree handprint craft for even the littlest crafters. Toddlers can make this!
Kids Halloween Handprint Art Projects
Since Halloween is almost here, this Frankenstein handprint art is the perfect craft. There is a second version to make one with your footprint, too!
Another great Halloween craft is this witch on a broom stick. So fun!
We snuck in a fun footprint ghost you can make with kids of any age because…well they are just scary cute. I am pretty sure you could modify this to make handprint ghosts as well.
Frankenstein comes to life {giggle} two ways – one with handprints and one with a footprint.
Looooove these cute handprint ghosts. They are scary cute.
Here are a whole bunch of toddler Halloween craft ideas that use hands and feet to create decorations for the spooky holiday.
Make a Halloween hand print cat. It is really cute.
Oh the Halloween cuteness continues with this bright and festive tissue paper wreath that is home to a handprint spider with very large Googly eyes.
I feel like this adorable Halloween skeleton hand could also be listed under “learning activities” (see below) because you could strategically use the q-tips where they are more anatomically correct!
Kids St. Patricks Day Handprint Craft
Make at St. Patrick’s day leprechaun using your handprint as his beard. Here is another version of a leprechaun as well.
Use your handprint as the rainbow peeking out of this pot of gold. This is one of the cutest projects…ever.
Make this handprint shamrock for a little extra luck. I love how it is displayed on a canvas so it can be wall art as well.
Kids Easter Handprint Art
These Easter bunny handprint crafts for kids are really cute and the perfect Easter day activity.
These spring flowers are super cute made of painted hands cut out and added to green stems for a bouquet.
Make Easter eggs out of hands! No joke. This is super cute and an easy art project for almost any age child.
These chick and bunny hand puppets are so cute because they are hand puppets made out of handprints.
Another spring-inspired activity is handprint tulip garden. These are so bright and cheerful!
He is Risen handprint art project that would be a great Easter children’s church activity or fun at home.
4th of July Handprint Art Project
Paint your hand red with and blue for the perfect patriotic flag craft.
E is for Eagle and you can definitely make it a bald eagle to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Check out the red, white and blue washi tape handprint art that could be very patriotic!
Animal Handprint Art Projects for Kids
Your kids handprint is the perfect shape for owls perched on a tree branch. This craft is perfect for even toddlers.
Here is another version of an owl that uses handprints for the wings. Super cute craft for preschoolers and Kindergartners.
Make this lobster’s big claws with your handprints and it’s body with your foot!
Is this not the cutest bunny craft? Make it with your kids with their handprints.
Let’s make our own handprint frogs. Grab the green paint and get those little fingers making imprints.
Use your hands to give this adorable yellow chick his wings!
Or use some yellow paint…or a lot of paint to make these cute spring handprint chicks.
This watercolor flamingo is beautiful and your kids will adore it. Another flamingo idea created out of hands is something that could be done on canvas and saved for wall art.
No handprint zoo would be complete without an octopus craft! I love that purple paint was used in this art project and it turned out so cute.
Here is another version of a cute octopus that lives in the bottom of the sea with some fish friends.
Butterflies were never cuter than when created with hands and feet. Here is another way to make a butterfly…as in B is for butterfly! What about a watercolor butterfly? It is so pretty it looks like it could fly.
Fingerprint fish swimming happily in an aquarium is a really fun and simple art project to do with kids of all ages.
Make blue elephants with your handprint! It is surprising how just a small line with a sharpie and an eye makes this cool kids art project look like elephants!
Fingerprint bees buzz around a hive in this cute handprint art project. check out the way to make a bumble bee with black and yellow paint on the child’s hands.
The cutest two blue birds sit on a branch made entirely of handprints!
Let’s make a Mallard duck! He is so cute and has some fancy feathers. And here is a cute yellow duck you can make with a handprint.
Make a handprint shark with big scary teeth and a little bit of a smile.
Your handprint can easily be transformed into a chicken. And that chicken is super cute.
Kids can stamp their hands covered with black paint and make spiders!
A is for Alligator in this cute handprint alligator in a puddle.
D is for Dog and this dog is made of a handprint…and so is the grass!
And the cutest ever collection of handprint animals painted on canvas could be an adorable room decoration or gift.
Handprint Art that Celebrates Family
Family Handprint Wall Art
This adorable handprint embroidery hoop art is perfect for hanging in the family room. It will freeze a point in time when everyone in the family was “just this big”.
This is a really cute baking soda clay handprint craft that works well as a gift or wall art at home.
Create this canvas set to show the entire family’s hands at a certain time or to help remember one child’s handprint size over time.
This is the cutest gift that the kids can make for mom with their own handprints. Frame a picture plus craft paper hands.
Mark the years in style with this cute idea to do a yearly handprint art piece. This would be so cute later with a bunch all hung on the wall. This is the 3 year old hand version.
Heart and handprint art that works for Valentines Day or any day where love and family are involved!
The cutest handprint art which could be modified for different types of decor and color combinations is the paper strip handprint keepsake.
This homemade fabric pattern is sooooo cute! It is autumn leaves made out of the family’s handprints. You could make cute hand towels to give as family gifts or I think this would be really cute as wall art stretched over a frame.
For your gift giving, check out this homemade handprint wrapping paper.
Check out the lockdown handprint art that we found all over the internet…so sweet!
Family stacked handprint art that is perfect for Valentines day…or any day!
Perfect Handprint Gifts
This is the cutest idea for a Father’s Day gift. Use the baby/child handprint on a baseball. Check out Sunny Day Family for the printable poem that accompanies the gift.
Create the perfect kid-made homemade gift with this fingerprint flower pot idea.
DIY fingerprint art decorates some spring jars that would be a really cute gift.
Thumb body loves you homemade magnets make adorable gifts.
Thumbprint flowers make really beautiful homemade cards for kids to send.
Make grandma a handprint bouquet. This could be a cute canvas idea as well.
Make a handprint gift jar at home with kids. This could be a great idea for almost any homemade gift giving situation.
The “I love you” handprint craft that doubles as a thoughtful gift made by kids.
This adorable pop up card is homemade and would be the cutest thing to send featuring a child’s hand.
Hands together form a heart in this cute card idea that is created specifically for Father’s Day, but could be used for other occasions.
Hand towel takes on a whole new meaning with this cute gift idea for handprint tea towels that say “Hand me a towel”.
Make a handprint flower pot. With this craft, the painted hand makes the stems of the flowers.
High-five pop up card that kids can make themselves!
You are my superhero kid-made card idea.
DIY Fingerprint keyring makes a super cute gift or a cool holiday ornament.
Laugh Out Loud. Live in Wonder. Love with your whole heart. These are the sentiments of this cute handprint heart that works as a lovely gift. It is easy enough that preschool age kids can make this to give.
Make a handprint bag for a relative. These are super cute…you may want to have the kids make an extra for you!
DIY handprint keepsake boxes that work well for keeping special memory items at home for each kid or would make a really awesome gift for someone you love.
{Squeal} I love this gift so much! Make a custom hand from your child’s hand to give or keep as a ring dish.
Make a handprint apron to wear or give as a gift.
Handprint t-shirts are cute for family shirts or to give as gifts.
Handprint Crafts that are Beautiful Art
Art Techniques Perfect for Little Fingers
The negative space your child’s hand and arm creates a lovely fall tree wall art project. I am thinking this would be awesome as a four seasons group of wall art as well!
These heart bookmarks are adorable and would make a really cute gift or Valentine handout. The hearts are shaped with thumbprints.
Homemade 3D Daffodil art made out of handprints and some other fun things you already have around the house. Kindergartners are going to go crazy for this project.
Fall tree art made with multi-color handprints signifying the colors of autumn.
Creative hand art – let kids use their own hands to create drawings and pictures full of creative fun.
This Andy Warhol art project is just plain awesome. Featuring different handprints and colors, I need this at my house!
Toddlers can make serious art with these fun fingerprint techniques for making flowers and more…
Paper plates are transformed into a bright sun with the help of some orange and yellow handprints.
Love this 3D ladybug sitting on a handprint leaf.
Fun Handprint Art Projects for Older Kids
This superhero set of handprint art ideas are perfect for older kids. There is a Batman, Hulk and Spiderman versions of handprint awesomeness.
May the force be with you as you create your own handprint Yoda.
Ahoy Matey! Let’s be handprint pirates for the day.
Learning Activities with Handprint Art
Preschoolers Learning Activities
I love this idea! Use your paint brush, paint, paper and handprint to learn left hand from right hand.
Make animal tracks with your hands. Each new print can be tied into a favorite animal or learning module.
Teachers will love this idea for a child’s handprint apple bulletin board. I think it would make a really cute at-home craft too.
A handprint craft for every letter of the alphabet!
Create a really fun way to re-tell a story with handprints. This example uses the book Duck on a Bike and the resulting handprint story craft is adorable.
Here is a cute craft to go along with Eric Carle’s The Grouchy Ladybug book.
Explore patterns by creating a hand pattern with markers or crayons and then trying to repeat it.
Apple for the teacher…or apple TREE for the teacher. This is a cute apple tree art made out of hands. How about a cherry blossom tree? This is another cute handmade art project. Also, if you are looking for a mango tree art project, we have you covered there too!
Whew! That should keep you busy for a little while making the most amazing handprint art…ever! We can’t wait to hear what you decided to make at home…
