Looking for a cheap and easy way to create keepsakes with your children? Try making a hand imprint ornament! You can do this activity with babies and decorate it yourself, or you can work together with older children, allowing them to add personal touches. Even your pets can get involved if you want to make paw imprint ornaments! Regardless of the subject, you will create a cherished memento that will last for years.
Want to give this hand-y gift a try?
- Mix 4 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 to 1 1/5 cups water (start with one cup of water, and add more as needed), and form a dough.
- Roll the dough out until it is about a quarter of an inch thick.
- Press the desired extremity (hand, foot or paw) into the dough. You will need to press hard for a good impression.
- Use a small bowl or cookie cutter to cut out your imprint.
- If you want to hang your ornament, poke a hole into your dough with a straw.
- Use a sewing needle to carefully poke lots of shallow holes in the ornament, especially where the print is. This will keep it from swelling up while baking, which would distort the impression.You can also use the needle to scratch in names and dates.
- Bake 20-40 minutes at 300 degrees, or until golden brown. Allow the ornament to cool before adding any paint.
- Add ribbon, and your ornament is ready to hang!
If you enjoyed making this craft, check out some of our craft books for kids.
