Priya Kapoor
Painting kids' handprint turkeys on hand towels is a fun and easy craft activity that can be done with children of all ages. It's a great way to get the kids excited about Thanksgiving and create some festive decorations for the home. All you need are a few simple supplies, such as paint, paper, and hand towels, and you're ready to get started! This craft activity is a wonderful opportunity for children to express their creativity and make lasting memories. So, let's dive into the steps and tips for creating these adorable handprint turkeys!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Supplies | Paper plate/palette, cup of water, paper towels/napkins, baby wipes, paintbrushes, paint, cardstock paper, sharpies, construction paper, glue, sponges |
| Paint Colors | Brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue |
| Process | Paint the child's palm brown and their fingers different colors; press their hand onto the paper; add details like legs, beak, eyes, and feathers; allow to dry |
| Tips | Use washable paint, have baby wipes ready for cleanup, use thin layers of paint, press down gently on the child's hand to ensure paint transfers |
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What You'll Learn
Paint colours and preparation
For this craft, you will need paint in a variety of colours. The paint will be used to create colourful handprint "feathers" for your turkey, so choose colours that go well together and will look good with your decor. For example, you could use orange, blue, green, and yellow, or red, orange, and yellow. You can also use brown paint for the turkey's body and eyes, and red paint for the border.
It's a good idea to pick out the colours you want to use ahead of time and put them on a paper plate or palette. This will make it easier to organise the craft and ensure you have everything you need. You may also want to have one paintbrush for each colour, so you don't need to wash the brushes between each colour. Alternatively, have some paper towels or napkins ready to pat the brushes dry between colours.
If you are crafting with a toddler, preschooler, or early school-aged child, it is recommended that you paint their hands yourself. Before you start, wipe their hands with a baby wipe and then have them wash their hands with soap and water. This will ensure that the paint goes on smoothly and that their hands are clean before the craft begins.
When you are ready to begin, paint your child's palm brown and their fingers the colours you have chosen for the feathers. Be sure to use a thin layer of paint and work quickly so that the paint doesn't dry before the handprint is made.
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Painting the hand
Next, you'll want to decide whether to let your child dip their hand into the paints or whether you will paint their hand for them. If you are painting their hand, ask them to hold their hand flat and still. Paint their palm first and then their fingers, working quickly so the paint doesn't dry. If your child is old enough to understand the instructions, you can ask them to spread their fingers slightly.
Now it's time to stamp the handprint onto the hand towel. Place the hand towel on a flat surface and ask your child to gently but firmly press their hand down onto it. You can help them by holding the hand towel down with one hand and gently lifting their hand off the towel with the other. If you are working with very young children, it is recommended that two adults help with this step. One adult can hold the hand towel while the other holds the child's hand.
Finally, clean up! Have baby wipes ready so your child can wipe off the paint before washing their hands with soap and water.
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Stamping the handprint
Preparing the Paint
Before you begin, it's a good idea to have all your supplies ready. You'll need paint in various colours, such as brown, red, orange, yellow, and green. You can use a paper plate or palette for the paint, and have a cup of water and paper towels nearby for easy cleanup. If you're using a paintbrush, it's best to have one brush for each colour to avoid having to wash and dry them between each use. Alternatively, you can use sponge brushes, which are great for applying paint to hands.
Painting the Hand
When it comes to painting the hand, less is more. Apply a thin layer of paint to the child's hand. For the turkey handprint, paint the child's palm brown and each finger a different colour. You can use orange, red, or yellow for the fingers to represent the turkey's feathers. Work quickly to avoid the paint drying before the handprint is made.
Now it's time to stamp the handprint onto the hand towel. Gently but firmly press the child's painted hand onto the towel. Make sure their hand is held flat and still for a few seconds to ensure the paint transfers. Then, carefully help them lift their hand off the towel. You may want to hold the towel down with one hand while lifting their hand with the other to avoid smudging.
Drying and Cleanup
Once the handprint is stamped, it's important to let it dry completely before moving on to any additional decorations. Use paper towels or napkins to wipe off any excess paint from the child's hand, and then have them wash their hands with soap and water. While you wait for the handprint to dry, you can start cleaning up your paint supplies and preparing for the next step of the craft.
Tips for Success
- Before starting, pre-cut any additional shapes or feathers you want to add to the handprint turkeys, such as grass, sun, or clouds from construction paper.
- When stamping the handprint, have the child leave their hand and thumb on the surface while lifting their fingers to create more "feathers".
- If you're working with younger children, it's helpful to have two adults assisting. One can hold the hand towel or canvas, while the other helps the child with their handprint.
- Encourage children to “high-five" the surface when stamping their handprint.
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Adding the details
Once the handprint is dry, it's time to add the details to bring your turkey to life! You can use markers, paint, or even a Sharpie to add the features. Paint or draw an eye, a beak, and a wattle on the thumb area of the handprint. Get creative with colours—a red, orange, or yellow beak and wattle will look adorable! You can even add some glitter or other crafty items you have lying around to make it unique.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add legs and a body to your turkey. Cut out a small rectangular body and some legs from coloured paper and glue them onto your hand towel below the handprint. You can even add some grass and a sun for a cute outdoor scene. Another option is to use a Sharpie to draw on the legs, giving your turkey some personality with fun poses.
For a 3D effect, you can use googly eyes and glue some craft feathers to the back of the hand towel. This will give your turkey a fluffy, lifelike appearance. You could even add a small paper bag to the back of the hand towel, creating a pocket to store the poem mentioned in the previous section.
If you want to frame your child's artwork, consider adding a border to the hand towel. A red border, as mentioned earlier, can give it a finished look. You could also add other decorative elements, such as autumn leaves or a Thanksgiving-themed message.
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Clean-up
The clean-up process will depend on the type of paint used and the surface it has stained. It is important to act quickly, as the longer the paint has to dry, the harder it will be to remove.
If the paint has stained your skin, it is important to identify the type of paint. Water-based paints can be removed with soap and water, but oil-based paints may require an oil-based substance to break down the paint's bond with your skin. For oil-based paints, spread a generous amount of an oil-based product, such as olive oil, over the paint-covered area. Gently rub the oil into your skin for a few minutes, then let it sit for 5-15 minutes. After this, wipe the paint and oil off with a paper towel or clean cloth, then wash your hands with soap and warm water.
If the paint has stained a hand towel, you can try to remove it with a mix of half detergent and half warm water. Blot the stain vigorously with a paper towel or rag. Keep rinsing and repeating this process until the paint is gone. If the stain persists, you can try using a non-acetone nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. If you use these products, be sure to test them on a small area first, then thoroughly rinse the garment in warm water. If the paint is oil-based, you can try blotting the stain from the back of the towel with turpentine or paint thinner. Check the care tag on the towel first, and spot-test a small area to ensure the paint thinner does not damage the fabric. Rinse the stain with warm water, then soak the towel in hot, soapy water overnight. The next day, rinse and wash the towel as normal.
Other household products that can be used to treat paint stains include vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. However, these products should be used separately and tested on a small area first.
Some paints may contain toxic substances or harsh chemicals, so it is important to prioritise safety when cleaning up. Work in a well-ventilated area and avoid prolonged skin contact with harsh chemicals.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need paint (brown and colours for the feathers), paper plates or palettes, a cup of water, paper towels, baby wipes, hand towels, and sharpies or markers.
First, apply the paint to your child's hand—use brown paint on the palm and other colours on each finger. Then, press their hand gently but firmly onto the hand towel. Have your child remove their hand and use the paper towels for cleanup.
Use a thin layer of paint and ensure you have enough help when stamping children's hands. You may need one adult to hold the hand towel and another to hold the child's hand. Also, have baby wipes ready to prevent your child from touching their clothes or furniture before washing their hands.
