Gifts Children Can Make
With Their Handprints

Handmade and Heartfelt

Great Gifts Children Can Make for Mimi, Opa, Nana, Ya-Ya, Poppie, Bube, Nonnie, Grandma, or Grandpa.

By Angela Antonelli

You’ve likely heard some version of this poem, sent home on many a child’s handprint projects:

The author is unknown, and while he/she is no Yeats or Whitman, when accompanied by tiny little handprints, its poignant sentiment can make the toughest of readers all verklempt and whatnot. It also provides a good excuse to stop washing the windows for a while.

With or without a poem, few gifts are as touching as those that depict the hands of a child. So engage those busy little fingers, and create some memorable gifts that will stand the test of time. Because before you know it, those now diminutive digits will be reaching out for the car keys.

Try this project on for size. Give new life to a mitten that has lost its mate, and keep Grandma’s drawers smelling sweet (tee-hee) with this quick and easy craft.

Simply Scent-sational Mitten Sachets

Materials

• Mitten
• Potpourri
• Rubber band
• Ribbon
• Heavy paper (optional)
• Hole punch (optional)

Instructions

• 1: Cut off the bottom of a small paper cup, and insert it into the mitten
• 2: Pour dry potpourri mixture into the mitten until it is ¾ full
• 3: Remove the cup
• 4: Scrunch the mitten until the mixture settles into the shape that you desire, using your fingers to insert some into the thumb area
• 5: Secure the wrist of the mitten tightly with a rubber band, and then tie with a ribbon.
• 6: Make a small square card out of paper, and punch a hole in the uppermost folded corner. Have your child write or dictate a message, or draw a picture on the card, and tie it onto the ribbon.

*Tip: if you are using bulky potpourri, pour a few handfuls of the potpourri into a Ziploc bag, and crush it with a glass before filling the mitten.

*Alternate project ideas: these make great ornaments as well, and little socks work well too.

---

Adorable, Wearable Hug

Materials

• Plain white t-shirt or sweatshirt
• Fabric paint
• Paintbrushes
• Volunteer grown-up hug-ee
• Fabric paint markers (optional)
• Printable iron-on transfer (optional)

Instructions

• 1: Decorate and/or write on the front of the shirt (you can use fabric paint or fabric markers, iron on a transfer of a photograph, artwork, and/or quotes about Grandparents, love, or hugs.) Wait until the front of the shirt is dry before proceeding to the next step.
• 2: Have the volunteer hug-ee put on an old shirt, and then put the new shirt on over it. If the hug-ee has long hair, tie it up.
• 3: Paint the child’s hands with desired colors using a paintbrush, thoroughly covering the palm and fingers (you can use all one color or make the fingers different colors, etc.)
• 4: Have the volunteer hug-ee bend down for a hug while holding the shirt tight, so that it is smooth, but not stretched, on his/her back. For the best print results, help the child to spread her fingers apart and place her hands in one spot. Press firmly over her palms and fingers, and have her lift her hands straight off the surface of the shirt when finished.
• 5: Repeat until all of the participating children have added their prints.
• 6: Let the shirt set for a bit, then carefully remove it from the wearer, and hang it on a hanger.
• 7: When the shirt is dry, fabric markers can be used to label the handprints with each child’s name, or something like, “Michael Loves Grandma,” etc.
• 8: Follow the directions on the fabric paint bottle regarding time to dry, etc. prior to wrapping.

*Tip: Protect your artists’ clothing and your work area. Wash your paintbrushes promptly after use.

---

Handprints on the Wall

Make this super simple wall hanging, and Grandparents will be pleased to see their Grandchildren’s handprints on the wall.

Materials

• EZ-felt (stiffened felt) for background
• Sticky-back felt for handprints
• Ribbon, yarn, or string
• Hole punch
• Decorative objects such as felt shapes, buttons, felt/foam/paper letters, etc. (optional)

Instructions

• 1: Trace and cut out handprints on the back side of the sticky-felt (do this before removing the sticker backing, or else you’ll lose your patience very quickly)
• 2: Arrange the handprints on the stiff felt until you get a layout that you like.
• 3: Peel the sticker backs off the handprints, and press them onto the background felt.
• 4: Punch holes into the top of the background felt, and thread with string/yarn/ribbon for easy hanging.
• 5: Have children embellish the hanging if they wish, with buttons, felt cut-outs, puffy fabric paint, etc.

(Super Crafty? Trace and cut your child’s handprints onto patterned cotton fabric. Use a blanket stitch to attach the handprints onto a solid-color background fabric. Fold the top inch of the hanging over a cute child’s hanger, and sew or glue to secure. Finish by adding embellishments and/or further embroidery as you see fit.)

---

Other “Hand-y” Gift Ideas:

Hands-Down Favorite Recipe:
Use fabric paint to apply your child’s handprint to the bottom center of a new kitchen towel or onto an apron. Dry according to fabric paint instructions. Next, have your child tell you the steps that she thinks Grandma takes to make her favorite recipe. Use a fabric marker to write the recipe name and your child’s instructions onto the towel/apron.

A Gift that Makes a Great Impression:
Use Crayola “Model Magic” clay to make a handprint keepsake. Use a toothpick to add the date. Poke a hole in the top, and let it dry for 24 hours. Paint, if desired, and thread a ribbon through the hole.

Little Hands, Big Hearts:
Trace a handprint onto “Shrinky Dinks” film, use a hole punch to make a hole in the top, and then cut it out. Have your child color/decorate the handprint using permanent makers. Follow the product instructions, and the item will harden and shrink. Use as an ornament, keychain, necklace, etc.