Are you ready to embark on a prehistoric adventure filled with creativity and love? Buckle up because we’re about to dive into a dino-mite craft that will make Dad’s heart roar with joy this Father’s Day Handprint Dinosaurs Craft!
Let me set the scene for you. It was pouring rain, gloomy afternoon, and my little tribe – a mix of pint-sized Picasso’s aged 3 and 7 – were buzzing with boredom.
So with Father’s Day around the corner, we wanted to create something extra special for the superhero of our family – Dad! And what better way to show our love than with handmade cards featuring our very own handprint dinosaurs?
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Construction paper in various colors (green, brown, blue, and any other dino hues your heart desires!)
- Washable paint in green, brown, and white
- Paintbrushes
- Googly eyes
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or pens for decorating
- A sprinkle of imagination!
Step 1: Preparing for Prehistoric Fun
We gathered our supplies, laid out some newspaper to protect our crafting surface (because let’s face it, things might get a little messy – but that’s all part of the fun!), and donned our aprons.
We were ready to unleash our inner paleontologists!
Step 2: Making Our Mark with our Handprint Dinosaurs Craft
Using washable paint, we painted the palms of our hands in shades of green. The little ones giggled as they squished the paint between their fingers, creating colorful handprints on sheets of construction paper.
These handprints would form the bodies of our dinosaurs – a personal touch that would make Dad’s heart melt!
Some other families we looked at online painted the neck and head with a brush, but we wanted to use our hands again, so we used the side of their tiny fists to be the head and used a brush to connect the two prints together!
Step 3: Adding Dino Details
Once our handprints were dry, it was time to transform them into ferocious dinosaurs! We added googly eyes, mouth and noses. If you want to take it to the next level for some of your older kiddos you can also paint on spikes and scales, or even drew tiny dino toes.
My kids loved how they looked with the simplicity of their hands so we just painted some grass below and called it perfect!
Each dinosaur took on its own unique personality, reflecting the creativity of its young creator.
Step 4: Crafting Heartfelt Messages
While the paint and glue dried, we took a moment to brainstorm heartfelt messages for Dad. From silly puns to heartfelt declarations of love, we poured our hearts into each card, knowing that our words would mean the world to him.
Step 5: Roar-some Results
As the final touches were made, our handprint dinosaurs came to life, ready to stomp their way into Dad’s heart. We arranged them on the front of our cards, their colorful google eyes and friendly faces adding an extra dose of charm.
With a final touch for our Handprint Dinosaurs Craft, we wrote our messages inside, sealing them with love and a sprinkle of glitter (because who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle?).
The Fun (and Challenges) Along the Way
Crafting with kids is always an adventure, and our handprint dinosaur project was no exception! From paint-splattered fingers to occasional glue mishaps (whoops!), we embraced the messiness and laughed our way through the challenges.
One tip we discovered along the way is to be flexible and let creativity flow. While we started with the idea of creating T-Rexes and Triceratops, our dinosaur designs quickly evolved into imaginative creatures straight out of a prehistoric fantasy. Encouraging the kids to let their imaginations run wild led to some truly unique and unexpected creations!
Tips for Making this Handprint dinosaurs craft a Success
- Embrace the mess: Crafting with kids can get messy, but don’t let that stop you! Lay down some newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to protect your surfaces, and have some wet wipes on hand for easy clean-up.
- Keep it simple: While it’s tempting to get carried away with elaborate designs, remember that simplicity can be just as charming. Encourage the kids to focus on one or two key features of their dinosaurs, rather than trying to do it all at once.
- Let creativity reign: Encourage your little ones to let their imaginations soar. Whether they want to create a rainbow-spotted Stegosaurus or a fire-breathing T-Rex, encourage them to unleash their inner artist and make their dinosaurs truly their own.
Our Handprint Dinosaurs Craft Father’s Day cards may have started as a simple craft project, but they quickly became a labor of love. From the messy handprints to the heartfelt messages inside, each card is a reminder of the special bond we share as a family.
So, if you’re looking for a fun and meaningful way to celebrate Dad this Father’s Day, why not give our handprint dinosaur craft a try? It’s a roar-some adventure that’s sure to make memories to last a lifetime!
Until next time, happy crafting, my dino-loving friends! 🦕🦖