Handprint Art Projects
We've all seen and possibly helped to create those handprints children make from rolled out clay that parents can hang on the wall. These are nice keepsakes, but if you're looking for art projects to do in your classroom or home, don't stop there. Hands can be symbolic of giving, growing or unity, so use the handprint to convey any of these messages through art. If you want to make the art permanent, use clay and paint instead of paper and crayons for these handprint crafts.
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Handprint Animals
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You might be surprised at how many different types of animal you can make with handprints. Sure you can make turkeys, but you can also use the splayed fingers to make porcupines or hedgehogs, or use the fingers as antlers to make a deer. Make two handprints with fingers together, trace a foot and turn them into a penguin using the foot for the body and the hands for wings. Try making insects too, such as butterflies or spiders.
Handprint Wreaths
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Wreaths don't have to be just for Christmas; they can be made in any color and used for decoration for any occasion. Cut out the middle of a paper plate to leave a ring and make many different coordinating colors of handprint to glue around the outside. Depending on the size of the hand and plate, it will take 9 to 20 handprints to cover a wreath. Use pastels for a spring decoration; red, white and blue for an Independence Day decoration; or browns and oranges for an autumn decoration.
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Handprint Lilies
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When rolled up, a handprint has a totally different look than when it's flat, so this craft might not even appear to be made from handprints at first. Use white paper to trace four or five handprints and color a streak of yellow down the center of the palms. Roll up the hand-prints like little trumpets, with the heel of the hand rolled tightly and the fingers loose. Poke a pipe cleaner or craft stick into the tight end of the lily and tape or glue the paper in place to secure it. Tie a ribbon around them for a lovely bouquet.
Handprint Banner
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Make a handprint banner to symbolize world peace at Christmas or interracial harmony on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trace handprints on many different colors of construction paper and cut them out. Glue them together with the index finger and thumb of one hand meeting the index finger and thumb of another. This will give you many pairs of hands. Then glue the pairs together along the outside edges.
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References
- Photo Credit big handprint in sand image by Barcabloo from Fotolia.com
