DIY Hand Print Ornament

There’s nothing sweeter (and more tear-jerking) than looking back at how small your child’s  hands once were. Any craft we have received from Jack/s school involving his hand prints have always been our favorites. With this easy craft you can create your own special ornament with your child’s hand print to hang on your tree for years to come. Needless to say this makes an excellent grandparent gift as well. We made the hand prints into Santas and snowmen. Feel free to get creative if you have other ideas! 

Pro tip: keep some wet wipes nearby because kids + painted hands  can sometimes equal painted surfaces in the house you didn’t exactly plan on being…personalized.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 medium-large ornament 
  • acrylic paint (red, white and black)
  • foam or regular bristle paint brushes
  • cotton swabs
  • old newspaper or paper towels to protect your work area 
  • optional: egg carton for placing ornaments to prevent them from rolling around.

Directions:

  1. Wipe your child’s hand free from any dirt or debris (not that kids ever have this on their hands right?)
  2. Have your child extend and spread out their fingers to create a flat and mostly fold-free canvas for you to paint. Using your paintbrush apply an even layer of paint to one of their hands. For toddlers you may want to enlist another adult or older sibling to help with this part. Use red paint if making Santas or white paint if making snowmen. 

3. Tell your child that you are going to place the ornament in the center of their open palm but they are not to close their fingers around the ornament until you have them do so. Once the ornament is on the palm of their hand you may either have your child close the fingers slowly around the ornament without sliding their fingers around (think of it as a stamp; no smearing), or you may grab their fingers one by one and do it for them.

4. Slowly open your child’s hand and remove the ornament. It is OK if it does not look perfect. These are your child’s precious little hands and a little imperfection adds character. Set the ornaments aside to dry for about 5 minutes.

Your toddler’s handprint may turn out like this. Have no fear! It will turn out great!

5. Once the ornaments have dried a little, use the cotton swabs as paint brushes to apply the details of Santa’s hat, beard and eyes, or the snowman’s hat, face and buttons. I chose cotton swabs for this because it was a little easier for Jack to work with as I let him do the decorating for his. If a medium-tip permanent marker or more fine paintbrush would work better for you then go for it!

6. Let dry completely before hanging on your tree or gift-wrapping.  We used an empty egg carton to keep the ornaments in place as they dried.

There you have it! A precious ornament for your family to cherish for years to come! Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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