This post is about 10 easy holiday handprint crafts you can do with kids now. This post may contain affiliate links. I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you, should you purchase through my link.
The holidays are quickly approaching and if you’re looking for crafts that you can do with your kids, here are a few handprint crafts that are as cute as they are easy. You probably have most of this stuff in your house.
Most of these can be done with washable tempera paint, but if you don’t have that, just trace and cut out your child’s handprint from colored construction paper. Construction paper or paint will do for any of these. Older kids who have scissor skills can cut themselves. Younger kids will need supervision and safety scissors. Always supervise your kids when using scissors.
This Is Not The Time To Try New Hairstyles
Even if they can cut, there is almost a guarantee that someone’s hair will get cut if you’re not watching. Trust me on this. Kissy lopped off a chunk of hair one day when she was around 9. She cut it right at the root above her forehead. She had a stump of hair. Of course, it looked ridiculous. It was regrettable.
Long hair takes a very long time to grow back. I’m pretty sure other kids of mine have cut their own hair or the hair of their siblings. I have a lot of kids, so it’s impossible to know for sure. Lesson: don’t leave the room if your kid has access to a scissor.
When my kids were younger, we always had a ton of craft supplies on hand. They loved to create and make a mess. Now I work with little humans and we make crafts all the time. Also, we make big messes. You may want to use an old T-shirt to keep clothes clean, or grab a cute smock.
The important thing about creating with your kids is to value the process over the product. Who cares if Rudolph has a red nose where his eye should be? It’s all part of the process. So get comfortable with imperfection and mess. It’s part of the process of learning.
Handprint Reindeer, Tree and Santa Suit
If you’re looking for something quick and easy, these can done with washable kids’ paint or construction paper. Also, this project is just long enough to hold a toddler’s attention before they get fussy. If you have toddlers, you know that brevity goes a long way. In addition to paint or paper, you’ll need glue, some pom poms, googly eyes, glitter and some stickers or whatever you have lying around to decorate the handprint tree. We had holiday stickers, so that’s what we used.
Handprint Christmas Tree
Once again, paint or construction paper will do. Set out whatever collage materials you have and let your child decorate. We used glittery pom poms and buttons because that’s what we had in the art supply bin.
Handprint Santa & Grinch
Most of these don’t need an explanation. We used cotton balls for the Santa hat on the Santa and on the Grinch below. If you don’t have cotton balls, use balled-up tissue paper or a tissue. Kids like to crumple stuff, so whatever you have is good enough!
Handprint Reindeer
Snowman Family
Holiday Wreath
Creativity Is A Messy Process
Part of toddler and preschool learning is getting messy. Handprint painting is sensory and a learning experience for young children as they explore new textures. I’m a huge fan of process over product. Your child’s art doesn’t have to look perfect to be displayed and valued. Kids learn by doing, and even the messiest handprint can make a meaningful and treasured keepsake. So I encourage you to undertake crafts with your kids with an open mind and expect some mess. Be ready for a clean-up and have some laughs along the way.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Always supervise young children. Anything that can fit down a toilet paper tube (buttons, pom poms, etc.) may pose a choking hazard for children under 3 who put things in their mouths. In lieu of using these, if you have young children, a marker will do the trick!
I’ve included a list of supplies you’ll need to complete these projects, but do be imaginative and use whatever you have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to create projects and make memories with your littles:
Drop a comment below to share your experience with creating with your little ones. We’d love to hear from you!
Related articles: