Little hands. Big Hearts. Happy Dads.

Looking for a heartfelt and creative gift idea that will leave a lasting impression? This easy DIY project captures your little one’s handprint in a creative gift that’s perfect for Dad. Creatibles DIY Air Dry Clay is like molding magic in the palm of your hand – it’s light and fluffy just like a marshmallow! Kids will have a blast squishing, shaping, and creating a masterpiece that Dad will treasure. This fun DIY project can be done year after year, capturing your little kid’s growth into a big kid! So grab your supplies, unleash your creativity, and let’s make this Father’s Day one to remember!

Time Duration:  30 minutes + drying time  

Skill Level: Beginning

OOLY Products Needed

Other Items Needed: 

  • Scissors (adult supervision required)
  • Yarn or string 
  • Straw (to poke the holes in the wet Creatibles Air Dry DIY Clay)
  • Large Ceramic or Plastic Plate (non-stick surface)

Directions: 

Hands stretching colorful pink, red, and yellow clay with more dry clay in the background
Green, blue, yellow, pink, and red clay on a white ceramic plate

Step 1: Mix dad’s favorite colors together to create a marble block of Creatibles DIY air dry clay.

Colorful clay all mixed up and flattened out on a white ceramic plate
Close up of colorful clay mixed up in a thick slab sitting on a white plate

Step 2: Using a large ceramic plate (or any other non-porous surface), spread the clay into a circle large enough to fit your spread out hand. Make sure the clay is nice and thick so that you can capture a good impression.

Kid making mold of hand in pink and red clay on white plate with ooly creatibles air dry clay nearby
Overhead image of hand imprint on colorful clay slap sitting on white plate

Step 3: Have your child open their hand nice and wide and press it into the clay, making sure to not press all the way through.

Using straw to poke holes in the colorful clay with hand print

Step 4: Use a straw to punch two holes through the top of the clay. This hole will be used to thread string through to hang.

Colorful clay slap with handprint, holes, and I heart dad with stickers nearby

Step 5: Before the clay dries, add stickers from OOLY’s Stickville collection. Don’t over decorate – you want to leave some room for painting too!

Paint and paint brushes on white table next to father's day hand print craft on white plate
Watercolor paint, paint brushes, and water cup next to kid's craft handprint clay slab

Step 6: Leave your handprint out overnight to dry. Once it’s dry, use the pearlescent Chroma Blends watercolor paints to add some flair to your art. You can paint in the fingertips to really make them pop! Allow the paint to dry before moving on to the next step.

Black ooly marker on plate next to handprint clay slab that says i heart dad and Happy Father's Day 2023

Step 7: Now it’s time to add your Father’s Day message with OOLY Ink Works markers. Don’t forget to add the year somewhere so that you’ll always remember when your handprint was created.

Scissors and thread next to thread looped through colorful clay slab

Step 8: Finally, cut approximately 9 inches of string and thread through the two holes at the top of your hand imprint. Tie a knot and move it to the backside. 

Dad deserves a gift that’s as unique as he is, and this handprint masterpiece is sure to melt his heart. Hang it proudly on the wall and watch as it becomes a cherished symbol of your child’s growth and love. This Father’s Day, let’s celebrate the joy of little hands, big hearts, and the special bond between fathers and their children. Give Dad a hand, and create a memory that will last a lifetime!

We would love to see photos of your craft projects! Tag us on Instagram at @WeAreOOLY using #OOLYcreateyourhappy.

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