10 Easy Summer Handprint Crafts

Summer days with kids call for simple, joyful projects that leave behind more than just memories. Handprint crafts capture those fleeting moments in a way photos alone never can.

These ideas use everyday supplies and take less than an hour each. You’ll end up with keepsakes that celebrate tiny hands and sunny adventures.

1. Sunflower Garden Frame

Bright yellow sunflowers bloom from real handprints on this cheerful keepsake. It fits in a standard photo frame and doubles as wall art.

Materials Needed

• A4 white cardstock
• Yellow acrylic paint
• Brown acrylic paint
• Green acrylic paint
• Black marker
• 12×12-inch picture frame with glass
• Paintbrush
• Paper plate

How to Make It

1. Pour a nickel-sized amount of yellow paint onto the paper plate.
2. Press your child’s palm flat into the paint, then press it firmly onto the lower third of the cardstock to make the flower center.
3. Use the paintbrush to add five long oval petals around the handprint using yellow paint.
4. Dip two fingers into green paint and stamp them side by side above the handprint to form leaves.
5. Let dry completely, then draw stems and details with the black marker.

2. Flip-Flop Silhouette Print

This seaside craft turns a handprint into a flip-flop wearing tiny footprints. It’s playful and perfect for beach-themed rooms.

Materials Needed

• 8×10-inch light blue construction paper
• Tan acrylic paint
• White acrylic paint
• Black fine-tip marker
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Small sponge brush

How to Make It

1. Dab tan paint onto the back of your child’s hand with the sponge brush.
2. Press the hand vertically onto the right side of the paper, fingers pointing down.
3. Dip two fingertips in white paint and stamp them near the wrist to make flip-flop straps.
4. Use the ruler to draw a straight line across the bottom of the paper to create sand.
5. Glue small bits of torn paper below the line and label the toes with the marker.

3. Starfish on Sand

Five fingers become a wiggly starfish nestled in textured sand. This one uses salt for sparkle and dimension.

Materials Needed

• Blue A4 watercolor paper
• Red acrylic paint
• White school glue
• Coarse sea salt
• Paint tray
• Paintbrush
• Cardboard scrap

How to Make It

1. Pour red paint into the paint tray and coat your child’s palm and fingers evenly.
2. Press the hand flat on the blue paper, fingers spread wide, and lift carefully.
3. Mix equal parts glue and salt on the cardboard to make a thick paste.
4. Use your finger to dab the salt mixture around the base of the handprint to mimic wet sand.
5. Let dry overnight before displaying.

4. Ice Cream Sundae Stack

Layered handprints form scoops on a waffle cone, complete with sprinkle details. It’s sweet without the mess.

Materials Needed

• Brown construction paper
• Pink acrylic paint
• Purple acrylic paint
• Yellow acrylic paint
• White crayon
• Black marker
• Scissors
• Glue stick

How to Make It

1. Cut the brown paper into a cone shape about 6 inches tall.
2. Press one hand into pink paint and stamp above the cone tip, fingers up.
3. Repeat with purple and yellow paint, stacking handprints slightly offset to look like scoops.
4. Draw waffle lines on the cone with the white crayon.
5. Add sprinkle dots with the marker and let dry fully.

5. Beach Ball Bounce Art

Vibrant handprints curve into a bouncy beach ball design. The circular layout makes it dynamic and fun.

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Materials Needed

• Large white poster board
• Red acrylic paint
• Blue acrylic paint
• Yellow acrylic paint
• Green acrylic paint
• Pencil
• Painter’s tape
• Paper plates (3)

How to Make It

1. Draw a large circle on the poster board using a bowl as a guide.
2. Tape the board to the table to prevent slipping.
3. Pour one color of paint per paper plate.
4. Have your child dip one hand in red paint and stamp along the top half of the circle.
5. Repeat with blue, yellow, and green in alternating sections, letting each dry before adding the next.

6. Sailboat at Sunset

A sideways handprint becomes a sailbillowing in the wind, set against warm sky tones. It feels like a summer afternoon.

Materials Needed

• 9×12-inch watercolor paper
• Red acrylic paint
• Orange acrylic paint
• Blue acrylic paint
• Cotton swab
• Paintbrush
• Black marker
• Ruler

How to Make It

1. Mix red and orange paint on the palette to create a sunset blend.
2. Brush the top half of the paper with the blend, then add blue to the bottom for water.
3. Press your child’s hand sideways near the center, fingers pointing left, using white paint.
4. Use the cotton swab to dot white waves across the blue area.
5. Draw a mast and horizon line with the marker after drying.

7. Lemonade Stand Print

Finger-dipped lemons hang from a handprint tree, ready for a pretend stand. Citrusy and fresh, just like summer.

Materials Needed

• Green acrylic paint
• Yellow acrylic paint
• Brown acrylic paint
• White cardstock
• Cotton ball
• Paint tray
• Paintbrush

How to Make It

1. Paint a thick brown trunk up the center of the cardstock with the brush.
2. Press both hands in green paint and place them above the trunk to form leafy branches.
3. Dip four fingertips in yellow paint and stamp them randomly among the leaves.
4. Dab a cotton ball in black paint and lightly press near each lemon to make seeds.
5. Let dry completely before handling.

8. Crab Walk Sideways

Two handprints face outward to make crab claws, complete with googly eyes. It scuttles off the page with personality.

Materials Needed

• Red acrylic paint
• White cardstock
• Googly eyes (6mm)
• School glue
• Black marker
• Paintbrush
• Paper plate

How to Make It

1. Pour red paint onto the paper plate.
2. Press both hands into the paint and stamp them facing outward from the center of the paper.
3. Use the brush to add red legs beneath each handprint.
4. Glue two googly eyes near the wrist of one handprint.
5. Draw small pinch marks on the fingertips with the black marker.

9. Seashell Hand Fan

Fanned fingers transform into a scalloped seashell with pearl-like centers. Soft pinks and shimmer give it ocean depth.

Materials Needed

• Pink acrylic paint
• White acrylic paint
• Pearl glitter glue
• A4 drawing paper
• Paintbrush
• Paper plate

How to Make It

1. Pour pink paint onto the paper plate.
2. Have your child press their hand into the paint and fan the fingers slightly before pressing onto the paper.
3. Use the brush to add a swirl of white paint in the center of the print.
4. Squeeze a small dot of glitter glue over the white swirl to mimic a pearl.
5. Let sit undisturbed for 3 hours to allow the glue to set.

10. Watering Can Garden

A handprint tilts like a spout pouring out colorful flowers. It celebrates outdoor play and growing things.

Materials Needed

• Gray acrylic paint
• Green acrylic paint
• Assorted bright acrylic paints (red, pink, orange)
• White cardstock
• Paintbrush
• Round lid (3-inch diameter)
• Paper plate

How to Make It

1. Trace the lid on gray paper and cut out to make the can body.
2. Glue it to the upper left of the cardstock.
3. Press your child’s hand in green paint and stamp it below the can, fingers pointing down.
4. Use fingertip dabs in bright colors below the fingers to make falling flowers.
5. Let dry flat for 2 hours before moving.

Each of these crafts holds a moment of summer joy in the shape of tiny hands. Grab your paints and start creating something you’ll both treasure.