Hand Prints Wall Decor: 3 Ways to Preserve Memories

I treasure the hand prints wall decor from each of my children.
With the poem about tiny smudges plastered on windows or walls…

I often talk about leaving my windows smudged for weeks after my grandchildren visit. Just to recall the good times, you see.

What? Don’t all grandmas do that?

So today I thought about the wall plaques my children made in school, in the first grade or so, with their hand prints. And a poem warning me that the smudges they plastered all over with their grubby hands would not last forever. That someday I would wish they were little again so I could repaint my walls.

Something like that.

But… guess what? I’ve never missed their dirty little hands.

Because I’ve enjoyed every size their hands have been. And as they got bigger and bigger, they got stronger and cleaner. Plus, I don’t mind my walls staying the same color longer.

Yet, having said that…

My g’littles” hands will get bigger and bigger, too. And they won’t come show me their strong, clean hands as often as my children do. (Not literally, but you know what I mean.)

So, I think I should come up with a plan to preserve their little palms now.

And school teachers, this is a fun project for small students to give as Christmas, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gifts, that their parents will keep close.

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How to Preserve Your Child’s Hand Prints

Framed Hand Prints

Probably the simplest and fastest way to do this project is to print a copy of the Hand Print Poem, and use paint for the prints.

What you need:

1. 8″ x 10″ Picture Frame.
2. Print download of the poem.
3. Acrylic paint or archival ink stamp pad.
4. Large sponge and water.
5. Paper plate for a paint palette.
6. Extra practice paper.
7. A child.

Squirt a 2″ circle of paint on the paper plate.  Soak the sponge with water and squeeze it as dry as you can.  Dab the sponge in the paint, then cover the whole surface as evenly as possible.  Hold the tiny hand palm side up. Sponge the palm and fingers with paint. Turn the hand and press onto the practice paper.

If you use a stamp pad, dab the child’s palm and inner fingers well and press onto the practice paper.  You don’t need a sponge if you use a stamp pad.

When you think you have the hang of it, print the Poem Print, clean the hands and start over. Frame and hang.

Awww!!!  So cute!

Clay Hand Print

This is the hardest way to keepsake those tiny hands, but worth it.

What you need:

1. Clay recipe:  1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup salt, 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 cup cream of tartar.
2. Mixing bowl, rolling pin, cookie sheet.
3. Acrylic paint.
4. Clear gloss finish.
5. 1″ foam brush
6. This tutorial for more detailed instructions.

Place the dry ingredients into the mixing bowl.  Slowly add the water, mixing with one hand as you pour.  Knead the dough about 20 minutes.  Add flour if it’s too sticky, or add water if it seems too dry.

Place the dough in the cookie sheet, and roll it flat into an even circle.  If you want a cleaner edge, use a plate and trim around the edges with a knife.

Press a little hand into the dough.  Add a name with a toothpick if you wish.  Poke a hole for hanging.

Bake at 300 for 30 minutes.  Turn the oven off and leave the dough in the oven for another 2 hours.  Remove from oven and place in safe, dry place for up to 2 days to completely dry and harden.  If there are any cracks in the finished piece, use a paintbrush dipped in water to smooth them out.

Paint the hand print, or leave as is.

Brush a couple coats of clear gloss finish all over the piece if you wish.  It will help preserve it, and look more professional.

When the hand print is dry, string a piece of ribbon through the hole, and hang.

Hand Prints on a Wood Slice

This is fun, messy, and my favorite end result.

What you need:

1. Raw edge 10″ wooden circle or oval.
2. Poem Print, printed backwards on card stock with inkjet printer.
3. Mod podge, Elmer’s washable glue, 1″ foam brush, water.
4. Black stamp pad.
5. This how-to for more details.

Brush Elmer’s glue on the card stock where you will print.  Let it dry, then print the poem on the glued side of the card stock with an inkjet printer.  (Note: use the backward poem.)

Brush a layer of mod podge on the wood slice. Place the poem print face down on the wet mod podge. Press it down firmly. Let dry overnight.

Resist the urge to peek under the paper for at least 12 hours.

Soak the paper, letting it get really wet and soft.  Hold the wood circle under running water, and wash all the paper off.

Magic! Just the words are left behind on the wood!

Now the wood is ready for the little prints. Cover the palms and inner fingers with ink from the stamp pad.

Go ahead.

When you’re brave enough, plant those palms firmly on the wood!

NOTE: You can skip the poem.  Just stamp one hand on a smaller wood circle and hang it like an ornament. You could have a Family Tree. Or teachers could use them on a Job Chart Tree.

If you have any questions or helpful hints for this project, please comment or message us.

We hope you enjoy these ways to preserve your child’s hand prints.

Time does move along so quickly, and stamped hand prints are a sweet way to keep memories front and center.