Handprint and Footprint Ornaments: Keepsake Crafts Kids Will Treasure

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a pile of half-finished craft projects shoved in a drawer somewhere. But there’s one category of crafts I never regret making: handprint and footprint ornaments. Why? Because these little keepsakes capture the tiny hands and feet of your kids before they grow at warp speed. Seriously, one minute they’re toddling around, the next they’re asking for the car keys.

So if you want a holiday tradition that’s easy, meaningful, and ridiculously cute, making handprint and footprint ornaments is the way to go. Let’s talk about why these crafts matter, what you’ll need, and the best ideas that toddlers and big kids alike will treasure for years.

Why Handprint and Footprint Ornaments Are the Best Keepsakes

Ever looked back at a newborn handprint and thought, How on earth were they that tiny? That’s the magic of these ornaments. They’re more than just crafts—they’re time capsules.

They freeze a moment in time. The size of their hand this year? It’s gone next year.
They double as decor. Your tree becomes a memory wall.
They’re personal gifts. Grandparents melt when they unwrap a handprint ornament.
They’re cheap and easy. Most projects need flour, salt, or clay—aka pantry staples.

And let’s be real: half the ornaments in stores cost a small fortune. Why not make something meaningful instead of buying yet another shiny bauble?

The Best Materials for Handprint and Footprint Ornaments

Before you start, let’s cover what you’ll need. Luckily, you don’t have to be Martha Stewart to pull these off.

Popular base materials include:

Salt dough: Classic, budget-friendly, and sturdy.
Air-dry clay: Smoother finish, fewer cracks.
Non-toxic paint: Perfect for decorating the impressions.
Craft glue & glitter: Because glitter is mandatory, right? (Well… until it’s all over your sofa.)
Ribbon or twine: For hanging on the tree.

Pro tip: Always seal your ornaments with a clear coat (like Mod Podge or spray sealant). Otherwise, your salt dough reindeer might not survive until next Christmas.

Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are basically the OG of DIY holiday crafts. If you’ve never made them, don’t worry—it’s easier than baking cookies (and trust me, I burn cookies).

Step-by-Step:

Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 cup water.
Roll out the dough about ½ inch thick.
Press your child’s hand into the dough.
Use a cookie cutter (circle or star works great) to shape around the hand.
Poke a hole for ribbon using a straw.
Bake at 250°F (120°C) for 2–3 hours until hard.
Let your kid paint it however they like.

Why it works: Salt dough is forgiving. Mess up? Roll it out again. Plus, kids love squishing their hands into the soft dough—it’s like edible playdough (but don’t eat it, obviously).

Air-Dry Clay Footprint Ornaments

If you want a smoother, more “professional” look, go for air-dry clay. It feels a little fancier but still toddler-approved.

Directions:

Roll out clay on wax paper.
Press your child’s foot into the clay (little baby toes = instant heart-melter).
Cut into a circle or heart shape.
Let dry for 24–48 hours.
Decorate with metallic paints or leave it simple and classic.

Personal take: I made one of these with my niece when she was 2, and now it hangs on my mom’s tree every single year. It’s cracked a little (because toddlers press like they’re stomping grapes), but that just makes it more charming.

Handprint Santa Ornament

This one’s adorable and actually recognizable (unlike some crafts where you have to squint and say, “Ohhh, it’s a reindeer… right?”).

Paint your child’s palm white and fingers red.
Press onto cardstock or wood slice.
Add googly eyes and a pom-pom nose.
Write the year on the back.

Result: Their handprint magically transforms into Santa’s beard and hat. Honestly, it’s cuter than the real Santa.

Footprint Reindeer Ornament

Toddlers love this one because it feels silly.

Paint the foot brown.
Stamp onto paper or clay.
Add googly eyes and a red nose at the heel.
Draw antlers coming from the toes.

Pro tip: If your kid wiggles a lot, keep baby wipes nearby. Otherwise, you’ll find a random “reindeer footprint” on your kitchen floor.

Glitter Handprint Baubles

Okay, glitter is messy, but this one is worth it.

Buy clear plastic baubles.
Paint your child’s hand with glue.
Let them grab the bauble, leaving a handprint outline.
Sprinkle glitter over it.

The handprint shines when it catches the Christmas lights, and yes, you’ll vacuum glitter until June—but it looks magical.

Mess-Free Alternatives (Because Toddlers)

Not every parent wants paint on the walls and flour on the ceiling. Fair. Here are a few cleaner options:

Inkless handprint kits: These use safe, no-mess wipes. Great for newborns.
Foam sticker ornaments: Trace their hand on foam sheets and cut it out.
Shrink plastic ornaments: Trace handprints on shrink film, bake, and watch them miniaturize (kids love the “magic” part).

Sometimes the best craft is the one that doesn’t end with a toddler eating paint, you know? 🙂

Tips for Stress-Free Crafting with Kids

Let’s be honest: doing crafts with kids can go from “Hallmark moment” to “Pinterest fail” fast. Here’s how to stay sane:

Prep in advance. Cut shapes, set out paints, and clear the table first.
Dress for mess. Old t-shirts are your friend.
Set realistic goals. One ornament might be enough.
Let go of perfection. Crooked Santa? Weird toe placement? Still priceless.

Remember: the process is the point. The memories are in the mess.

Turning Ornaments Into Gifts

Here’s a bonus: these keepsake ornaments make the best gifts ever.

Grandparents cry when they open them.
Teachers love them as personal thank-you’s.
They double as gift tags if you make mini versions.

Wrap them in tissue paper, add a handwritten note, and boom—gift solved.

Long-Term Storage Tips

If you’re making ornaments you want to last for years, a little care goes a long way.

Seal with varnish or Mod Podge to prevent moisture damage.
Store in a cool, dry place (avoid attics or damp basements).
Wrap in tissue paper before boxing them with other ornaments.

Trust me, you’ll want to keep these around for decades.

Final Thoughts

Handprint and footprint ornaments are so much more than holiday crafts. They’re memories you can hold onto, literally. Every smudged paint stroke and wobbly handprint tells the story of your child at that exact age.

So grab the flour, clay, or paint, and make a little holiday magic. Your tree will thank you, and your future self will, too. Because one day, you’ll look back at those tiny handprints and think, Wow… how were they ever that small?

And hey, if the craft ends with more paint on the kid than the ornament—at least you got a good laugh (and maybe a funny photo for future blackmail 😉).

The Maker's Pack