Handprint Campfire Craft, A Fun Keepsake Project
Handprint art is such a loved keepsake for families. I couldn’t wait to try out this handprint campfire craft not only because the kids would have so much fun, but also because their families were going to love it!
I have had families from 5+ years ago send me pictures of their holiday decorations that still feature those sweet little hands and feet we stamped. Some projects we do every year for those families that keep it all so they can see the growth in their littles.
Usually when we do hand and footprint art I will do the painting, stamping, washing. They love it even though they’re just hanging out. For our handprint campfire craft we did things a little differently.
Related Article: 25 Fun and Easy Crafts For Toddlers and Preschoolers
Make this a two part project by starting with a fun Marshmallow Painting Project then using your same messy paint plate for your keepsake handprints!
How To Prep
As always, prepare your space! Lay down something to cover your work area and cover your child. This craft will get messy.
Have your clean up items close by, washcloth, wet wipes, whatever you use to clean kiddos after some messy art fun.
You will want to decide your comfort level with letting everyone paint together or maybe a one-on-one situation. I had everyone together at the table but we’ve done enough projects like this that they know what to expect…even if I don’t always know.
What do you need
After prepping your space, there isn’t a lot you need for this project.
- Heavy paper
- Red, orange, yellow, and brown paint
- Brown construction paper
- Glue
- Plastic fork
- Scissors
- Paper plate
What we did
I have a group that loves painting with their hands so this was right up their alley!
I added some red, orange, and yellow paint to a paper plate and had the children stick their hands into the paint then onto their paper. You may end up with a little fire or a roaring fire, it will be fun either way!
If you have a kiddo really going to town go ahead and switch out their paper. Use one for their handprint campfire craft and more just for fun.
Show your littles to stamp their hands rather than smooshing. We want to see those sweet hands!
I cut strips of brown construction paper with my fiskar paper cutter and rounded the edges to make logs. If you have older children you can let them try out this process but my one and two year olds are still very new to the cutting process.
Next take the fork and brown paint and scrape across your brown paper ‘logs’ with the tip of the fork. Do this a few times across the paper.
Finally you can glue down your logs under the handprint fire and you have a super cute super fun campfire that your children and families are sure to love!
Ways to learn
Don’t forget to talk about all the colors as you are doing this handprint campfire craft.
The more you show and talk about while doing activities, the more they will remember. Don’t leave out kids who aren’t yet talking. They are listening!
Do you have rules set for your littles when doing art like this? It’s okay to have realistic expectations and set rules to be followed.
- Don’t paint the chair
- Don’t paint on your neighbors paper
- Don’t take off your paint shirt – only I do that
- Don’t drop your paint plate on the floor
It’s okay to have rules.
The End Results
I think these turned out so cute!
This handprint campfire craft was perfect for our camping theme and if you’re feeling brave, start with this fun marshmallow painting craft then switch to this handprint campfire craft. Give your littles new paper and use the same plate with paint.
Takeaway tips
- Have your clean up supplies ready! When little kids are done you want to be able to jump from one to the next quick before they get bored and start coloring their hair.
- Remember to show them how to stamp their hands so you can see their cute little fingers in the picture.
- Don’t worry if it’s not perfect or all in the center.
- It’s okay to have rules, make sure they are clear and you repeat them.
- Turn your paper plate into another project!
