Handprint animals are special. Every handprint is unique to that child at that exact moment in time — it's both art and a physical record of their childhood. Parents keep handprint artwork for decades. And because the "base" is already there in the handprint, even children who don't feel confident drawing can create recognizable animals with just a few extra marks. Here are 15 tried-and-tested handprint animals to explore throughout the year.

What You'll Need (for all handprint animals)

• Washable tempera paint in multiple colors
• Shallow trays or foam plates for paint
• Cardstock or thick paper (regular printer paper wrinkles when wet)
• Fine-tip markers or paint pens for details
• Googly eyes (optional but beloved)
• Smocks

The 15 Best Handprint Animals

1. Turkey (Thanksgiving)

Press a hand in brown, red, orange, or multicolor for the tail feathers. Add a round brown body, orange beak, and red wattle. This is the most iconic handprint animal craft.

2. Butterfly

Press two handprints side by side (both hands, thumbs touching). The palms become the butterfly body, the fingers become the wings. Add antennae with a marker.

3. Octopus

Press one hand in purple or blue — the palm becomes the head, the fingers become 5 tentacles. Draw 3 more tentacles below the palm. Add googly eyes.

4. Lion

Press a hand in yellow or orange for the mane (fingers spread wide). Paint a round brown face in the palm area. Add ears, eyes, nose, whiskers.

5. Peacock

Press multiple handprints in blues, greens, and purples in a fan shape. Add a round body at the base and detail each feather with eye spots.

6. Fish

Press a sideways handprint in blue or orange — the palm becomes the body, fingers become the tail fin. Add scales, an eye, and a mouth.

7. Tree

Paint a child's forearm and hand brown for the trunk and branches. Press onto paper. Add fingerprint leaves in green, red, or orange.

8. Reindeer

Press two hands with fingers spread — these are the antlers. Add a brown oval head below. Red pom-pom or painted nose, googly eyes.

9. Crab

Press two handprints facing each other (fingertips pointing outward). The fingers become the legs. Add pincers and googly eyes in the middle.

10. Elephant

Press a sideways fist in grey — this is the body. Fingerprint legs and tail. Use the thumb to stamp the curved trunk.

11. Flamingo

Press a hand in pink with the thumb pointing down (becomes the neck and head). Bend the thumb slightly — the palm is the body, one finger is the beak.

12. Spider

Press two hands back-to-back (fingers spread) in black paint — fingers become the 8 legs. Add a round body and red hourglass marking if making a black widow.

13. Sunflower

Press multiple handprints in yellow/orange around a central brown circle. Each hand is a set of petals. Fill the center circle with brown fingerprints for seeds.

14. Chicken

Press a hand in white or yellow — palm becomes the body, fingers become tail feathers. Add an orange beak, red comb, and a wattle.

15. Bear

Press a fist in brown for the body. Add fingerprint feet, a round head, small round ears, and a face with a simple expression.

Tips for Perfect Handprint Stamps

• Apply paint to the hand with a foam brush rather than having children press into a tray — this gives more even coverage.
• Press firmly and evenly for 3–5 seconds, then peel straight up rather than dragging.
• For toddlers, hold their wrist gently and guide the placement — don't force a reluctant child.
• Let the handprint dry completely before adding details with markers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get preschoolers to cooperate with handprint painting?

Let children choose their color, frame it as "magic" or a surprise, and show them a completed example first so they know what to expect. Some children dislike paint on their hands — respect this. Try foot prints instead, or use a foam brush to paint their hand rather than pressing into a tray, which can feel less overwhelming.

What's the best way to preserve handprint artwork?

Let the paint dry completely (at least 2 hours), then scan or photograph the artwork in good natural light. For physical preservation, laminate flat pieces, store in archival plastic sleeves, or frame immediately. Handprint pieces on canvas or fabric can be sealed with a clear acrylic spray to prevent flaking.

Can you make handprint art without paint?

Yes — trace the handprint with a pencil or marker and color it in. Ink pads made for baby/child handprinting give clean results with less mess. Puffy paint applied with a brush creates an interesting textured effect. Air-dry clay is another option: press a handprint into a flattened slab for a permanent keepsake.

Related activities: Coffee Filter Butterflies | Sponge Printing | Action Songs