Christmas handprint crafts are such a sweet way to turn those little hands into something festive, especially when there’s no messy paint involved.
Last Christmas, I shared a fun little series of kids’ handprint crafts here on the blog, and apparently Christmas characters lend themselves very well to tiny paper hands.
By the time the series wrapped up, Santa had been joined by a reindeer, elf, Grinch, Nutcracker, Christmas tree, and a colorful string of Christmas lights.
So this year, I thought it made sense to gather all seven Christmas handprint crafts together in one handy spot.
They’re simple paper crafts that use handprint shapes and printable templates, making them a great option for an easy afternoon activity with the kids.
Each of these Christmas handprint ideas also comes with a free printable template.
You can head to the individual tutorials below for the full instructions, or grab all seven printable templates from the big green button at the end of the post.
Contents
Printable Christmas Faves
Christmas Handprint Ideas
Christmas Tree Handprint Craft
This Christmas tree is one of the simplest Christmas handprint ideas in the bunch, but it’s ridiculously cute once all those little details go on.
A green paper handprint becomes the tree, complete with a brown trunk, yellow star, and colorful paper lights strung across the fingers. Basically, tiny hands were always destined to become Christmas trees.
Kids can trace their own hand for that lovely keepsake element, or you can use the free printable handprint template to make things even easier.
Head over to the full Christmas Tree Handprint Craft tutorial for the step-by-step instructions and free template.
Nutcracker Christmas Handprint Craft
For something a little different from the usual Santa-and-reindeer lineup, this handprint Nutcracker is such a fun one.
The brown paper handprint forms the base of the soldier and his fabulous beard, then a paper face, tall black and gold hat, moustache, rosy cheeks and rather serious little expression finish him off.
He does look like he means business.
This is one of those Christmas handprint crafts for kids that looks quite detailed when it’s finished, but the printable template does most of the hard work for you.
Find all the pieces, instructions, and free printable in the full Handprint Christmas Nutcracker Craft tutorial.
Christmas Light Handprint Craft
This little Christmas light has quite the personality. A red paper handprint sits inside a white Christmas bulb shape, with eyes, a smile and a black light cap turning it into one very cheerful piece of Christmas handprint art.
You could stick with red or make a whole collection in different colors if one Christmas light simply isn’t enough.
It’s a lovely option for younger crafters too, with simple shapes and plenty of gluing once an adult has helped with the cutting.
Pop over to the full Handprint Christmas Light Craft tutorial for all the instructions and the free printable Christmas light template.
Grinch Christmas Handprint Craft
Every Christmas craft collection needs at least one character bringing a little attitude, right?
For this Grinch craft, a green paper handprint becomes his wonderfully scruffy face, then those unmistakable yellow eyes, sneaky grin, and red Santa hat turn him into everyone’s favourite Christmas grouch.
This would be a particularly fun December handprint art activity after reading or watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
The full Easy Grinch Handprint Craft tutorial walks you through putting him together and includes the free printable template to help with those all-important Grinchy features.
Christmas Elf Handprint Craft
This handprint elf might be my pick for the cutest nose award. A white paper handprint forms the elf, while green handprint fingers become his pointy hat.
Add fluffy cotton trim, googly eyes, rosy cheeks and a bright red pom-pom nose, and suddenly you have one very happy little Christmas helper staring back at you.
The mix of paper, cotton, and pom-poms also gives kids a few different textures to play with, making it a sweet choice if you’re collecting simple toddler Christmas crafts.
You’ll find the complete instructions and free template in the Christmas Elf Handprint Craft tutorial.
Reindeer Christmas Handprint Craft
This reindeer squeezes even more little handprints into the fun. One dark brown handprint becomes the reindeer’s head, while two lighter handprints create his antlers.
Add paper eyes, a red pom-pom nose, and colorful Christmas lights across those antlers, and you’ve got a rather festive Rudolph ready for fridge duty.
It’s a fun Christmas handprint craft for toddlers or preschoolers with grown-up help for the cutting, and kids can get involved with tracing, gluing, and decorating the lights.
Follow the full Christmas Reindeer Handprint Craft tutorial to see how it all comes together and grab the free printable template.
Santa Christmas Handprint Craft
We couldn’t have a roundup of Christmas handprint crafts without the big guy himself.
For this Santa, a white paper handprint makes a perfectly fluffy beard, with a pink face tucked above it and a classic red hat, moustache, nose and eyes bringing jolly old Saint Nick together. It’s simple, instantly recognisable and very cute.
This handprint Christmas craft uses basic paper supplies, and the free printable template means there’s no requirement to suddenly discover hidden Santa-drawing skills in December.
Head to the full Easy Santa Handprint Craft tutorial for the step-by-step instructions and printable template.
Christmas Handprint Craft FAQs
Are these Christmas handprint crafts suitable for toddlers and preschoolers?
Yes. These Christmas handprint crafts work well for toddlers and preschoolers with some grown-up help. Little ones can trace hands, glue pieces and decorate, while adults can help with cutting where needed.
Do these Christmas handprint crafts come with free printable templates?
Yes. All seven Christmas handprint crafts include a free printable template. You can download each one from its individual tutorial, or all of them at the link below.
Do you need paint for these Christmas handprint crafts?
No paint required. These crafts use hand shapes traced and cut from colored paper or cardstock, then combined with the printable template pieces. Perfect if you love Christmas handprint art but could happily skip the paint clean-up.
What supplies do I need for Christmas handprint crafts?
You’ll generally need colored paper or cardstock, a pencil, scissors, glue, a printer, and the free printable template. Some designs use a few extra supplies, so check the individual tutorial before getting started.
More December Fun
And that’s seven Christmas handprint crafts for kids ready for your December crafting plans.
Pick one favourite for a quick afternoon activity, or make your way through all seven if your little fun-maker is firmly in their Christmas crafting era.
I love that these have the keepsake feel of traditional handprint Christmas crafts, but without the messy painted hands.
Plus, the free templates take care of the fiddly bits, which is always welcome when you’re crafting with small people who have already asked whether they can use the glue stick approximately fourteen times.
If you make one, I’d love to know which design you chose (let me know how it turned out in the comments below).
You can also save this collection to Pinterest for later, or check out ways to craft and celebrate the fun and quirky holidays in December.
Download Your Free Template
Now for the download! If you don’t have the password as yet, signup is simple with an email address.
After you have your password, you can click the link in the email or use the link below.
Plus you will also have access to all of the other amazing free printables in the library. Yay!
Printables in the freebies library are for personal use but if you wish to use this printable for your class, then you are more than welcome to do so.
I do have copyright limitations on what you can use my free printables for, view these in my terms and conditions.
Free printable handprint template below:
Other Resources You May Like:
FREE PRINTABLE: Letter to Santa Wishlist Template
FREE PRINTABLE: Christmas Gift Exchange Game
ARTICLE: 36 Kids Handprint Art Ideas
ARTICLE: 97 Elf on the Shelf Ideas (with Free Printable)
SHOP: Printable Christmas Games, Activities & Party Decor
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