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Make cute and colorful fall leaf art with this easy handprint stamping project for kids – a fun keepsake fall craft using paint and cardstock!
The fall leaves are starting to change color and autumn is in the air. That means it’s time for some fun fall crafts! One of my favorite fall art projects to do with young kids is leaf handprint art using paint and their own hands. Handprint art is one of our favorite kids’ art projects to save as keepsakes
Leaf Handprint Art Materials
- Cardstock or thick construction paper
- Washable paint in fall colors (red, orange, yellow) we used acrylic paints
- A sponge or foam brush for stamping
- Black marker
How to Make Leaf Handprints:
Stamping Hands
- Place the cardstock paper on a flat surface. It’s a good idea to put down old newspapers or paper towels to prevent any paint from staining the surface underneath.
- Pour paint colors on a palette or a piece of scrap cardboard – just something you can mix the paint around.
- Combine 2-3 different colors of paint to have a variegated effect
- Use your sponge to dip into the paint and dab on your child’s hands or have them do the dabbing. Make sure the sponge is well-coated but not dripping.
- Carefully help your child stamp their hand onto the cardstock paper. Lift the hand straight up to prevent smudging.
- Repeat these steps with different colors and hands until you’re satisfied with your leafy pattern.
Drawing Leaf Veins
- Allow the handprints to dry completely.
- Once dry, take a black marker and start drawing leaf veins on each handprint to give them a more authentic leaf look. You can make a Y or V shape in the middle and add smaller lines extending outward.
What to do with your leaf art?
You can cut around the paper to make them look even more like leaves and string them up into a leaf garland for fall decor.
You can also frame or laminate your art to keep (don’t forget to have your child sign their name and date!)
Conclusion
Creating Leaf Handprint Art with your kids is more than just a craft; it’s a bonding experience that also happens to produce a beautiful piece of art.
The great thing about this project is that it allows kids to get messy and creative. The handprint stamping gives each leaf a unique look – just like real leaves!
It’s also a fun way to decorate for fall and learn about how leaves change color.
Fall Leaf Handprint Art for Kids
Materials
- Cardstock or thick construction paper
- Washable paint in fall colors (red, orange, yellow) we used acrylic paints
- A sponge or foam brush for stamping
- Black marker
Instructions
Stamping Hands
- Place the cardstock paper on a flat surface. It's a good idea to put down old newspapers or paper towels to prevent any paint from staining the surface underneath.
- Pour paint colors on a palette or a piece of scrap cardboard - just something you can mix the paint around.
- Combine 2-3 different colors of paint to have a variegated effect
- Use your sponge to dip into the paint and dab on your child's hands or have them do the dabbing. Make sure the sponge is well-coated but not dripping.
- Carefully help your child stamp their hand onto the cardstock paper. Lift the hand straight up to prevent smudging.
- Repeat these steps with different colors and hands until you're satisfied with your leafy pattern.
Drawing Leaf Veins
- Allow the handprints to dry completely.
- Once dry, take a black marker and start drawing leaf veins on each handprint to give them a more authentic leaf look. You can make a Y or V shape in the middle and add smaller lines extending outward.
Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.