Hand And Feet Printing - Activity Instructions

This activity is messy and fun to do! Get really involved with your art by using your body to make prints. It’s a great present for your parents or caregivers at the end and creates everlasting memories.

Safety advice: If you are making footprints, it can be slippery when you have the paint on your feet so make sure to hold onto something or someone stable. Use non-toxic, water-based paint.

Part A: Set Up Your Painting Area

Step 1.

This is a great activity to do outside if you can, although it can also be done inside. Lay down a drop sheet and get dressed in old clothes that your parents/caregivers are happy for you to get paint on. Put some water in the container. This is for washing out the paintbrush when you’re done with it.

Step 2.

Lay out the paint palettes, or you can use old lids. Put some paint on the palettes and get your paintbrush ready!

Part B: Get Messy Time!

Step 1.

There are two ways to do a paint handprint. The first is to put your hand in the paint and then press it onto the paper, however, this is messier and often doesn’t turn out as well. The second option is to use a paintbrush to paint the inside of the hand and to then press it onto the paper. It’s much cleaner and you can control how much paint goes onto your hand and where. It’s a great idea to use many different colours on the one hand and experiment with rainbow patterns. Spread your fingers when you press your hand down so that you get a better print.

Step 2.

Repeat with your feet! It’s best to do just one at a time, and hold on tight to your parent/caregiver or a stable object so you don’t lose your balance or slip from standing on the slippery paint. Paint the bottom of the foot, then press it down onto the paper.

Step 3.

For optimal memories, date the paper with your age and today’s date.

Step 4.

Clean up! Wash the paint off the lids. They can be used for future activities. Wash the brush out. Get some help to wash the paint off your hands and feet. Make sure you don’t run into the house before you get cleaned up or you’ll make a huge mess. Consider asking your parents/caregivers to carry you into the bath or shower.

Taking It Further

This is a great activity to help make a card for special days such as relatives’ birthdays or christmas gifts.

Hand And Feet Printing (home learning)

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