Easy Father's Day Craft

Father's Day Hand Print Tree--Made With Love

Please remember that you are making memories--not something to be displayed in the Louvre. This is supposed to be FUN. The messier the more fun and the more fun the better!

What You Need:

1. Fingerpaint

2. Something to squirt the paint in--I like paper plates.

3. Poster board or construction paper

4. (optional) Markers or crayons

Cheaper options:
Option A: Construction paper, scissors, glue, crayons
                               OR
Option B: any kind of paper, markers/crayons

Instructions:
1. Cut out a piece of brown construction paper to look like the trunk of a tree.  Glue it to the poster board or another piece of paper.
Option A:  same
Option B:  color a tree trunk onto your piece of paper 

2. Squirt some of your fingerpaint onto a plate
Option A:  Trace hand prints on to construction paper and cut them out
Option B: Trace hand prints around your tree trunk on your piece of paper

3. Help your child get paint on their hand by pressing their hand gently onto the paint covered plate.
Option A: Glue your hand prints along the tree trunk
Option B: Color your hand prints bright, pretty colors!

4. Press your child's hand along the tree trunk to make "leaves" and "branches."    

Have your child sign their work of art, and if you like put the year and their ages! Then give it to Dad to make his Father's Day special!   

Simple Mother's Day Hand Print Craft

I don't have any pictures for this craft, but it's easy enough so you should be able to follow the directions without a problem.

What You'll Need: 
--Finger paint
--Heavy duty poster board or a paper plate
--construction paper
--scissors
--glue

Alternate Options If You're Missing Any of the Above:
--in lieu of finger paint:  Washable markers or crayons
--construction paper or computer paper will work if you don't have poster board/paper plates
--You can skip the steps requiring glue and scissors if you have neither

Instructions:

1.  Cut out a construction paper heart large enough to fit your little one's hand print inside
2. Glue the heart to the center of your poster board, paper plate, or whatever kind of paper you're using.
    Alternate:  If you do not have glue or scissors, draw a heart in the middle using a marker or pen.
3. Have your tot spread their fingers and dip their hand in finger paint.  Help them press their hand print firmly into the middle of the heart.
     Alternate:  Trace their hand in the center of the heart using your markers or crayons.
4. Help them write their name and (of if they're too small do it for them) under their heart.

Something Extra:
Pick out one of the following hand print poems and write it or print it out and glue it somewhere on your paper or on the back of your paper plate:

Option 1:

My dirty little fingerprints
I've left on every wall,
And on the drawers and table tops,
I've really marked them all.
But here is one that won't rub off,
I'm giving it to you,
Because I'm thankful for a mommy just like you!

Option 2:

This is the hand
You used to hold
When I was only
__ years old.

Option 3:

These little hands can wave Hello
Or put smudges on the wall
They can fold in prayer, throw a kiss
Or reach up so very tall
They'll clasp your hand for a little stroll
Or shape a ball from clay
But most of all, they'll stay with you
When I'm grown up and far away