Clay Handprint Bowls—Easy Mother’s/Father’s Day Keepsake Gift

This adorable DIY keepsake handprint bowl was made using air dry clay, which we have found to be super fun to work with! My toddler daughter and I had a great time making several handprint bowls for Mother’s Day. These cute handprint bowls are perfect for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, Christmas, and birthdays! Treasure that tiny hand forever by making an imprint in clay, and then letting their little hands paint the handprint bowl, placing the finishing touches on their beautiful artwork that they are so proud of creating!

We made these for Mother’s Day but they are suitable for many more occasions and holidays! We have also made salt dough handprints and footprints and I found the air dry clay to be MUCH EASIER to work with and there is no baking required, which is a win in my book!

This is a fantastic Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift from the kids to mom and dad and can easily be made in preschool, kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms! It’s a terrific daycare and homeschool activity too! If you like spring crafts, then you’ll love my easy and cheap Dande-Lion Spring Craft!

I love air dry clay because it’s so versatile. One container goes a long way too!

How to make the best Clay Handprint Bowl

STEP 1: Lay a piece of clay out on parchment paper, over a flat surface. Use a rolling pin to flatten the clay, ultimately reaching a thickness of about ½ inch. You don’t want to make it much thinner or the delicate fingers on the hand may crack and break off.

STEP 2: Place the child’s hand down on the clay, pressing each finger and the hand down firmly, enough to make an imprint.

STEP 3: Using a knife, carefully cut around the child’s handprint.

STEP 4: Gently drape the clay handprint over a small bowl, leaving the fingers hanging over the sides of the bowl so that they dry in the same position, forming a bowl.

STEP 5: Have the kids use their fine motor skills to decorate and paint the handprint bowls. When the paint dries, spray Mod Podge acrylic sealer over the paint.

Pro Tips

Learn from our mistakes and ensure that the clay is about ½-inch thick. I had to make four of these handprint bowls as I wanted three of them. One of the fingers easily broke in half when I picked it up so we had to make another. The piece that broke off was fairly thin and very delicate.

We ended up mailing these out to grandparents, carefully wrapped in bubble wrap, and they arrived in one piece.

Have the kids use their fine motor skills to decorate and paint the handprint bowls. When the paint dries, spray Mod Podge acrylic sealer over the paint. I bought this Mod Podge at Walmart but I’ve also seen it at Hobby Lobby, Amazon, and Michaels.

More crafts you’ll love!

Clay Bowls—Easy Mother’s/Father’s Day Keepsake Gifts

Dande-Lion Spring Craft

Easy Kid’s Father’s Day Gifts or Summer Crafts

Seven Easy Fathers’ Day Cards

Clay Handprint Bowls—Easy Mother’s/ Father’s Day Keepsake Gift

Homemade Mother’s/Father’s Day Gift—Handprint-Potted Cactus

Easy DIY Handmade Mother’s Day Cards

Final Thoughts

Finally, if you make these Clay Handprint Bowls, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this craft a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this craft and always respond to all comments.

If you do make this craft, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your photos!

Clay Handprint Bowls—Easy Mother’s/Father’s Day Keepsake Gift

Elise McCollister

These cute handprint bowls are perfect for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, Christmas, and birthdays! Treasure that tiny hand forever by making an imprint in clay, and then letting their little hands paint the handprint bowl, placing the finishing touches on their beautiful artwork that they are so proud of creating for mom, dad, grandma, and others!

No ratings yet

Craft ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Print Craft Pin Craft Add to Collection Go to Collections

Equipment

• Parchment paper
• Rolling Pin
• Paint brushes

Materials

  

• air dry clay
• paint
• Mod Podge

Instructions

 

• Lay a piece of clay out on parchment paper, over a flat surface. Use a rolling pin to flatten the clay, ultimately reaching a thickness of about ½ inch. You don’t want to make it much thinner or the delicate fingers on the hand may crack and break off.
• Place the child’s hand down on the clay, pressing each finger and the hand down firmly, enough to make an imprint.
• Using a knife, carefully cut around the child’s handprint.
• Gently drape the clay handprint over a small bowl, leaving the fingers hanging over the sides of the bowl so that they dry in the same position, forming a bowl.

  If you like, carefully write (I used a ballpoint pen) the child’s name and year on the backside before the clay dries. Our clay was fully dry in about 36 hours. Allow up to three days to dry.

Notes

Learn from our mistakes and ensure that the clay is about ½-inch thick. I had to make four of these handprint bowls as I wanted three of them. One of the fingers easily broke in half when I picked it up so we had to make another. The piece that broke off was fairly thin and very delicate.

Did you make this craft?Mention @elisemccollister or tag #elisemccollister!