DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Handprint Poems and Craft Ideas

Kaitlyn brought the first little poem home from preschool as a gift and I wanted to share it with all of you!  We have had a number of viewers share other versions of the poem since then.  These poems goes great with plaster or paper plate handprint plaques, with handprint wreaths or with any other handprint craft you choose to make.  It's a wonderful craft for mother's day, father's day or grandparents!  Include it on a card that goes with the craft or write it on the back or print the templates we created.

I miss you when we're not together
I'm growing up so fast
See how big I've gotten
Since you saw me last?
As I grow, I'll change a lot,
The years will fly right by.
You'll wonder how I grew so quick
When and where and why?
So look upon this handprint   (these handprints)
That's hanging on your wall.
And memories will come back of me,
When I was very small.
 

Big Template   (color)   or   (B&W)

Plain Template   (B&W)   only
 

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls.

But every day I'm growing -
I'll be grown some day
And all those tiny handprints
Will surely fade away.

So here's a little handprint
Just so you can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small.
 

Template   (color)   or   (B&W)

Children have a certain way
of growing bigger every day,
But these little hands
and this special smile
will stay in our
hearts a long, long while.
 

Template   (color)   or   (B&W)

There are a few other versions of handprint (and footprint) poems that you may like to take a look at (there aren't printable versions of them).

Here are some links to handprint crafts you might like to do with the poem.
All of these go great with a photo of the child as part of them:

• Handprint Plaques
   
  • requires wood slices and paint
  • on ChildFun.com's site
  • close window when done to return to this screen

• Handprint Wall Hanging
  • requires paper plate and paint
  • use paint and glitter (if you like) to stamp a handprint on a paper plate

• Handprint Wreath
  • requires paper or paint
  • on DLTK's site

• Plaster of Paris Handprints
  • requires plaster of paris
  • on DLTK's site

Suzanne offered this suggestion for handprint / footprint crafts:
"An idea I have used for the footprint poem is to use pva glue on the kids feet (or hands), press the feet on card then sprinkle with play sand (it's best on black card) type out your footprints poem and stick inside - a sure winner!!"
Thanks Suzanne...