How To Make An Easy Santa Handprint Craft

If you’re searching for a fun and festive way to keep little hands busy this holiday season, this Santa handprint craft is the perfect mix of creative and cute.

It’s quick, it’s easy, and it captures that “aww, look how tiny their hands were” kind of Christmas magic that melts every parent’s heart.

I still remember making Santa crafts in school. There was red paper, cotton fluff everywhere.

It’s one of those childhood moments that sticks, which is probably why I love making these festive keepsakes with my own kids now.

This Santa Claus handprint is an adorable keepsake you can hang on the fridge, turn into a card, or add to your Christmas decor.

Plus, there’s a free printable template to make things extra simple (because we all need a win during the holiday hustle, right?).

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Santa Handprint Craft Supplies

Gather up your craft box! You’ll only need a few supplies for this easy Christmas craft for kids.

Red, pink, and white construction paper with scissors, glue stick, and marker for making a Santa handprint craft.

Supplies

White construction paper
Red construction paper
Pink construction paper
Black marker
Scissors
Glue stick
Free printable Santa handprint template (at the end of this post)

You can grab a pack of different color construction papers on Amazon—perfect for last-minute craft sessions with the kiddos.

How to Make a Santa Handprint Craft

Follow these easy steps to create your very own Christmas handprint Santa.

It’s a quick and festive project that’s perfect for preschoolers, kindergartners, or anyone who loves a little handmade holiday cheer!

Step 1: Make Your Handprint

Trace your child’s hand on white paper. The fingers will become Santa’s beard! Carefully cut it out (little ones might need some help here).

You can also skip tracing and use the free printable Santa handprint template to make this step super simple.

For some added sensory fun, try painting your child’s hand white and stamping it on a piece of paper.

White handprint cutout and pink paper semicircle beside scissors

Step 2: Create Santa’s Face

Cut a small semicircle from pink paper to form Santa’s face.

Glue it on top of the handprint, right where the fingers meet the palm.

This is where your jolly old fellow will come to life!

Pink face glued to white paper handprint for easy Santa handprint craft step.

Step 3: Create the Hat

Cut a red Santa hat shape and a thin white strip for the trim.

Red hat and white trim pieces beside scissors for Christmas handprint Santa craft.

Step 4: Add Your Features

Attach the hat to the top of your Santa handprint. Don’t forget the little white pom-pom circle on the end, that’s the cherry on top!

Glue the moustache and nose to your Santa face. You could also use a red pom-pom for the nose!

Santa handprint craft with red hat, white beard, and pink face beside glue stick.

Step 5: Santa’s Eyes

Add googly eyes or draw some on white paper with your black marker. Attach to your handprint.

Googly eyes, marker, and scissors ready to finish Santa handprint craft project.

Step 6: Admire Your Cute Santa Handprint Craft

Once everything’s glued down, let it dry and give your masterpiece a proud spot on the fridge or under the tree.

You’ve just created a cheerful little Christmas craft for preschoolers (or bigger kiddos!) that doubles as a keepsake you’ll treasure for years.

Completed Santa Claus handprint craft made from colored paper with hat, beard, and eyes.

Variations on Your Santa Handprint Craft

Want to add a twist to your Santa handprint craft? Whether you’re crafting with a preschooler or keeping the older kids entertained during the holidays, here are some fun variations to try.

Painted Santa Handprint

Skip the paper tracing and go straight for the paint! Brush your child’s hand white, pink, and red to stamp Santa’s beard, face, and hat. It’s messy, sensory fun at its best (and totally worth the clean-up).

Sparkly Santa Hat

Add a little twinkle to Santa’s style by sprinkling glitter on his hat trim and pom-pom. It’s the perfect touch for those who believe there’s no such thing as “too much sparkle” at Christmas.

Puffy Cotton Beard

Give Santa’s beard some texture by gluing on small pieces of cotton balls or white pom-poms. It adds a 3D touch that makes your Christmas handprint Santa even more adorable and fluffy.

Santa Ornament Keepsake

Shrink your template down and turn your Santa handprint craft into a tree ornament. Punch a hole at the top, add a ribbon, and there you have a handmade memory to hang proudly year after year.

Holiday Card Santa

Fold a piece of cardstock and glue your Santa handprint to the front to make a one-of-a-kind Christmas card.

Glittery Frame Display

Mount your Santa handprint craft on red or green construction paper and pop it into a simple frame. Add a sprinkle of glitter or a little bow, and you’ve got a keepsake-worthy decoration for the mantle or entryway.

Wrapping Up the Holiday Fun

And there you have it, your adorable Santa handprint craft, ready to spread cheer all season long!

Now go ahead and download the free template, gather your supplies, and let the crafting magic begin.

And if you do make one, I’d love to see it! Share your creation with me on Instagram (tag @avisualmerriment) so I can admire your Santa creations!

More Christmas Handprint Crafts

If you loved this craft, be sure to check out these Christmas handprint crafts the kids will enjoy!

Free Printable Santa Handprint Template

Want to skip the tracing? I’ve got you covered! You can download the free printable Santa handprint template right below.

Just print, cut, and start crafting. Whether you’re prepping for a classroom activity or a cozy weekend at home, this printable makes it quick and easy to create your Santa Claus handprint masterpiece.

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, the link below will take you straight to the download.

Plus you will also have access to all of the other amazing free printables in the library. Yay!

Already a subscriber? Just enter the library from the button link below with your password. Then look for the “Christmas Santa Handprint Template”.

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.