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Get ready to turn tiny hands into fun, colorful monsters with this creative craft! Perfect for kids of all ages, these handprint monsters are easy to make, customizable with our free template, and great for Halloween or any time of the year.
Silly Handprint Monsters
Monsters are silly all year long! From the time our babies are little (especially with our little boys) we seem to find monster characters from the start (and when I talk about monsters i’m talking about the cute kid friendly variety – think Monsters Inc. 🙂 Kids love silly monsters because they are unique and each one has a different personality with their crazy eyes and toothless mouths. They are bright and colorful and just downright fun. Girls and boys alike tend to go through a cute monster stage and what better way to foster their current interest than with a cute little cut and paste activity!
With just a few materials, you can create an entire cast of goofy handprint characters. It’s a fun way to celebrate the season and an excellent hands-on activity for kids, whether at home, in the classroom, or during a party. Grab our free eyeball and smile template for this easy cut and paste activity!
HOW TO VIDEO:
Materials Needed To Make Handprint Monsters
- Colored Cardstock: Choose bright colors like purple, green, blue, orange, or any colors you prefer for your monster bodies.
- Printable Monster Features Template: Print it out here.
- Glue Stick or Craft Glue: To attach the monster features to the handprints.
- Scissors: For cutting out both the handprints and monster features.
- Pencil: To trace your handprints onto the cardstock.
How to Make Handprint Monsters
Step 1: Trace and Cut Handprints
Have each child place their hand on a piece of colored cardstock. Use a pencil to trace around their hand, and then cut out the handprint carefully. This will be the body of your monster. If you have a little child that doesn’t love getting their hand traced you can use our free handprint template!
Step 2: Prepare the Monster Features
Print out the monster features template, which can include eyes, mouths, horns, and other accessories. Cut out the features you want to use for each monster. Get creative—mix and match to make your monsters as silly or “scary” as you like.
Step 3: Assemble Your Monster
Choose where you want to place the eyes, mouth, and other features on the handprint. Use glue to attach the features to the handprint, transforming it into a monster face. You can add one eye, two eyes, or even three! Make fangs, smiles, or tongues sticking out for added personality.
Step 3: Add Finishing Touches
Once all the pieces are glued down, let the monster dry completely. Feel free to add more decorations like stickers, glitter, or extra cardstock shapes to make your monster even more unique.
Crafty Tips
- Use Double-Sided Tape for a Clean Look: If you want a cleaner finish, consider using double-sided tape instead of glue to attach the features. * Double sided tape does tend to be a bit harder for little fingers to manage.
- Mix and Match Features: Don’t be afraid to get creative with the monster faces! Let the kids choose their favorite eyes, mouths, and horns.
- Decorate the Handprints: Before gluing on the features, encourage kids to decorate their handprints with markers, glitter, or even small pom-poms to add texture if they desire!
Commonly Asked Questions
How long does it take to make a handprint monster?
Depending on the child’s age and skill level, it takes about 15-30 minutes to complete each monster, plus a little time for drying.
Can I use regular paper instead of cardstock?
Yes, you can use regular paper, but the monsters may not be as sturdy. If you have construction paper, that’s a great middle ground for durability.
Are these monsters reusable?
Yes, once the glue is dry, these handprint monsters can be played with or displayed for as long as you like. Laminating them can make them more durable if you want to use them as puppets. You can even glue a jumbo popsicle stick to the back of them or even a magnet as a fun refrigerator halloween decor.
