Inside: How to make hand print art without the chaos—9 simple tricks to make your keepsake fun, frustration-free, and way more meaningful for your little artist.
M aking handprint art without losing your mind: a guide
Handprint art is one of those classic crafts that never gets old—it’s adorable, sentimental, and a great way to get creative with kids. But let’s be honest: it can also turn into a mess of wrinkled paper, smeared prints, and the occasional toddler meltdown (or parent meltdown—no judgment).
So, here’s how to make the process easier, more fun, and, most importantly, meaningful for your little artist.
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Table of Contents
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1. Choose the Right Paper
Regular copy paper might seem like the easiest choice, but trust me, it won’t hold up well. It wrinkles, curls, and sometimes even tears when wet paint is applied. Instead, go for cardstock—it’s sturdier, holds paint better, and won’t turn into a soggy mess.
This is my favorite cardstock paper. It’s 163g/m—which is the goldilocks of thickness. Sturdy but is accepted by most home printers.
TIP: Make sure you check your printer manual for the max thickness your printer can handle. They all vary. Typically, you can get it to accept the thickest paper via the manual entry, and changing your settings to “envelope” mode.
2. Pick the Right Paint
Wondering what type of paint to use for handprint art? Well, pretty much any paint will work, but here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Washable paint: Best for toddlers because it avoids stains and washes off easily. Downside? Fewer color options.
- Tempera paint: A solid choice for kids—it’s easy to use, dries quickly, and is generally non-toxic.
- Acrylic paint: Works well but stains clothes permanently, so use with caution (or old t-shirts!).
This set of washable tempera paint has 40 really good colors (plus brushes, which you’ll read about below).
3. Apply the Paint with a Brush
Dipping a tiny hand or foot straight into a puddle of paint might seem like a good idea, but it often results in way too much paint, leading to smudgy, unrecognizable prints.
Instead, use a paintbrush to evenly coat their hand or foot. This helps get clear, defined prints without the mess of excess paint dripping everywhere.
4. Let Kids Apply Their Own Paint
Yes, this can get messy. Yes, it will test your patience. But letting kids paint their own hands gives them more agency in the craft and makes them feel like real artists. Embrace the chaos (within reason) and let them take the lead!
5. Tape the Paper Down
Nothing ruins a good handprint like the paper moving at the last second. Avoid this by taping the paper to the table or securing it to a clipboard.
Then, instead of bringing the paper to their hand, bring their hand to the paper—it helps get a clearer print and minimizes the chances of accidental smears.
6. Let Kids Place Their Own Handprints
Resist the urge to reposition their hand for the perfect print.
Let them press their own hands down in whatever way they want—this makes each piece truly unique and reflective of their own creativity.
If it’s a little wonky, that’s okay! It’s their creation.
7. Don’t “Fix” Their Artwork
It can be tempting to touch up a smudged print or reposition a misplaced handprint, but resist the urge.
When adults alter a child’s artwork, it sends the message that their work isn’t good enough.
Another common way this happens is when adults add extra illustrations on top of a child’s handprint design (like turning it into an animal or adding details to “improve” it).
Let their creation stand as it is—it’s a reflection of their effort, and that’s what matters most.
8. Protect the Finished Artwork
Once the masterpiece is dry, you can preserve it with a matte varnish to keep the colors vibrant and prevent smudging or damage. This is especially helpful for keepsakes that you want to last for years.
9. Balance Templates with Free Art
Handprint templates (like pre-drawn designs where kids fill in the space) can be fun and great for keepsakes, but they fall into the category of product art—where the goal is to make something that looks a certain way. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it’s important to balance it out with process art, where kids get to freely create however they want, without specific instructions.
A great approach? Print one template for a keepsake and another blank page for free painting. That way, they get to enjoy both structured and open-ended creativity.
Ready To Get Started?
Handprint art is about more than just making cute crafts—it’s a chance for kids to explore textures, colors, and self-expression. The final product is wonderful, but the process is where the real magic happens. So grab some cardstock, embrace the mess, and enjoy creating memories (and maybe a few accidental paint-covered surfaces) along the way!
And if you need any ideas of where to start, I have a few.
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free Printable Handprint Template
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Grab this free cactus handprint craft template and turn tiny hands into a keepsake—perfect for preschool, fine motor fun, and low-prep art that make parents cry happy tears.
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