This handprint cactus craft is so cute and easy, that you’ll want to make a whole desert full of them!
Banish boredom and get the kids working on this fun papercraft project. It’s the perfect little project for spring.
But don’t forget those rainy days, and hot summer afternoons when you’re hiding inside. Honestly, these work anytime your little ones need a creative spark.
There is limited mess and trust me, the results of this cactus craft are beyond cute!
These cacti aren’t just a fun way to kill time (and avoid screen time!), it’s also a sweet little keepsake you’ll treasure for years.
Which of course makes it ideal for the classroom, if you’re looking for an easy low-mess spring activity. Just picture those tiny handprints transformed into prickly (but totally safe!) cacti, blooming with colorful gems.
It’s such a sweet way to capture a little snapshot of their growth.
Once you’ve looked this craft over, if you love handprint crafts check out my tutorial on how to make a handprint keychain.
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Contents
Supplies
- Light Green cardstock/construction paper
- Dark Green cardstock/construction paper
- Pearl stickers
- Gemstone stickers
- Black marker
- Pencil or pen
- Scissors
My pick would be the green cardstock pack linked above as it has multiple colors. For the stickers, the links above are also for one pack of both pearl and gemstone stickers. Making it even easier to gather the materials required for this craft!
Step 1. Create Your Handprint Shape
First, trace your child’s hand onto the cardstock. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect; remember, each cactus is unique!
Then, carefully cut out each handprint. This is a great opportunity for kids to practice their scissor skills (with supervision, of course!).
Step 2. Decorate Your Cactus Handprint
Using the marker, draw the prickly spines of the cactus. Get creative with the line patterns or mark them out randomly.
Now comes the fun part – sparkle and shine. It’s time to add some desert bling to your cactus craft!
Stick gemstones and pearl stickers over the handprint. These will represent the beautiful flowers that bloom on a cactus. Let your child’s imagination run wild with colors and patterns.
Alternative Ideas
Want to take your cactus to the next level? Here are a few ideas:
- Add a Face: Give your handprint cactus personality by drawing a cute face! Think googly eyes, a smiling mouth, and maybe even a little flower crown.
- Rainbow Cacti: Who says cacti have to be green? Experiment with different colors of cardstock. Imagine a vibrant pink cactus or a sunny yellow one.
- Embellishments: Use different embellishments like paper flowers, different shape gemstones, sequins, pom poms, beads, and buttons. These would be a great point of difference if you are making lots of these cacti!
- Textured Spines: Instead of just drawing lines, try using different materials for the cactus spines. Think yarn or embroidery floss. You could even use green glitter glue for a sparkly effect!
- Glow-in-the-Dark: Use glow-in-the-dark paint or markers to create cacti that come to life at night!
- Fingerprint Flowers: Instead of using pre-made gems or stickers, use your child’s fingerprints to create the cactus flowers. Just dip their finger in paint and press it onto the handprint. This adds a sweet and personal touch.
- Pot it Up: Create a “pot” for your cactus handprint by cutting out a small rectangle of paper/cardstock and gluing it to the bottom of the handprint.
- Desert Scene: Create a whole desert scene for your cactus craft! Add some sand (using brown paper or even real sand), some rocks (painted pebbles), and maybe even a little sun.
- Cactus Garland: String several handprint cacti together to create a festive garland. This is a great way to decorate a playroom or classroom. You could even add some mini pom-poms or felt balls between the cacti for extra flair.
Blooming Creativity
I hope you enjoy making your cactus craft for kids. It can be simple and easy to make with minimal mess. But you can also let the kids take their creativity further, putting more effort into personalizing their masterpieces.
Did you give this cactus craft a try? Tell me all about it in the comments below and don’t forget you can share your pics by tagging @avisualmerriment on Instagram or Facebook!
Other Resources You May Like:
FREE PRINTABLE: You Make My Heart Flutter Handprint Template
FREE PRINTABLE: 80 Bored Jar Activity Labels
ARTICLE: 36 Cute Handprint Art & Craft Ideas
ARTICLE: Make a Simple Dinosaur Sensory Bin
FROM MY SHOP: Children’s Chore/Reward Charts
