Need a last minute inexpensive gift? Have little hands around? Grab some paint, or an ink pad and get ready for some fun!
Kids of all ages can use their hand prints or foot prints to make crafts or gifts that relatives will cherish. It will get a little messy and the paint my not come off their hands after one washing, but it will after their bath.
Don't worry about little smears or goof ups---keep that one for yourself and make another. Years later you will have a treasured hand print of your 'all grown up kiddos'. I have three children and many years ago I did this craft with them. At the time they were 3, 5, and 7 years old. Instead of making three trees, I had the oldest hands make the bottom, the middle print the middle, and the youngest print the top of the tree. The angel was also made by my kids' hands. The blue body was several hand prints and the wings were two hand prints each. These were done with fabric paint on dish towels and wash cloths. Caution...fabric paint does not come off tables, fingers, or clothing easily. Yep, I learned the hard way!
Don't worry about little smears or goof ups---keep that one for yourself and make another. Years later you will have a treasured hand print of your 'all grown up kiddos'. I have three children and many years ago I did this craft with them. At the time they were 3, 5, and 7 years old. Instead of making three trees, I had the oldest hands make the bottom, the middle print the middle, and the youngest print the top of the tree. The angel was also made by my kids' hands. The blue body was several hand prints and the wings were two hand prints each. These were done with fabric paint on dish towels and wash cloths. Caution...fabric paint does not come off tables, fingers, or clothing easily. Yep, I learned the hard way!
This Christmas tree was made by a four year old with a little help from his teacher. They used light fabric instead of paper. Either will do and both are 'frameable' for a gift for someone special.
The adult painted the child's hand with tempra paint and then helped place the hands on the fabric. Repainting the hand is necessary if you want a clear hand print. After the green hand prints dry, the child gets to add ornaments by dipping fingers into paint and touching the tree. A cut out 'sponge star' was then dipped into yellow paint and 'stamped' on the top of the tree.
The adult painted the child's hand with tempra paint and then helped place the hands on the fabric. Repainting the hand is necessary if you want a clear hand print. After the green hand prints dry, the child gets to add ornaments by dipping fingers into paint and touching the tree. A cut out 'sponge star' was then dipped into yellow paint and 'stamped' on the top of the tree.
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Here is an example of the Santas my three year old class will be making this week.
I cut 5"X7" blue paper---to make for easy framing---and then painted white paint on a child's hand. They made their print and turned the paper upside down. Next, they placed a red paper triangle on the base of their hand print--no glue necessary since the paint is still wet.---and then added two small paper eyes and a red cut out paper nose. To finish Santa, they dipped one finger into the paint and placed a fluffy white ball and white trim on his hat. Don't forget to write in their name & a date in the corner or better yet, they can write their own name.
I cut 5"X7" blue paper---to make for easy framing---and then painted white paint on a child's hand. They made their print and turned the paper upside down. Next, they placed a red paper triangle on the base of their hand print--no glue necessary since the paint is still wet.---and then added two small paper eyes and a red cut out paper nose. To finish Santa, they dipped one finger into the paint and placed a fluffy white ball and white trim on his hat. Don't forget to write in their name & a date in the corner or better yet, they can write their own name.
Here is another hand print picture to share. These camels and three kings were made by a 4-5 year old preschool class. I was amazed by the detail captured! The teacher stapled them on a bulletin board for a beautiful display.
One last hand print. This tree was done on card stock and folded into a card. On the inside I wrote 'Merry Christmas' and then helped my preschoolers print their names.
This one is easy because I use a green ink pad---less mess--- and it doesn't matter if their fingers wiggle or smear because that makes the tree look even more realistic. I have the kids add a star sticker and small round stickers for ornaments. Last, I give them a brown crayon and have them color in a tree trunk.
Hope this gives you some fun ideas for last minute gifts. Enjoy your holidays and enjoy your little ones!
This one is easy because I use a green ink pad---less mess--- and it doesn't matter if their fingers wiggle or smear because that makes the tree look even more realistic. I have the kids add a star sticker and small round stickers for ornaments. Last, I give them a brown crayon and have them color in a tree trunk.
Hope this gives you some fun ideas for last minute gifts. Enjoy your holidays and enjoy your little ones!
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