The Kissing Hand Handprint Craft: A Sweet First Day Keepsake Parents Will Treasure Forever

Starting school is big, for kids AND for moms. If you're looking for a meaningful, tear-jerker-in-a-good-way craft for the first day of preschool or kindergarten, this The Kissing Hand handprint craft is it.

Inspired by the classic children's book The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, this simple art project turns your child's handprint into a keepsake that perfectly captures the story's message: I love you, and you carry my love with you wherever you go.

The Kissing Hand Handprint Craft: A Sweet First Day Keepsake [Free Printable Idea]

We made this on the first day of school, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I will keep it forever. The black handprint with a little red heart in the center says it all, "The heart is you! The hand is me! It shows that we are family."

This is low-prep, low-mess (with the right trick), and works beautifully for classrooms, homeschool, daycare, or at home.

Why You'll Love This Kissing Hand Craft

1. It connects literacy to art. Kids just heard the story of Chester and his mama raccoon. This craft lets them retell it with their own hands, literally.

2. It's a keepsake, not just a craft. Unlike a coloring sheet that gets recycled, this one goes on the fridge, in a memory book, or framed.

3. It’s perfect for separation anxiety. The book was written for kids who feel nervous about being apart. Making the craft reinforces the “kissing hand” idea and gives them something tangible to talk about.

Materials You Need

You probably have most of this already:
- White cardstock (8.5 x 11 - heavier than printer paper, so it doesn’t warp)
- Black washable tempera paint or non-toxic ink pad
- Small red felt hearts or red construction paper hearts
- Glue stick
- The Kissing Handbook by Audrey Penn

Optional but helpful: Baby wipes for fast cleanup, a paper plate for paint, crayons for decorating

How to Make The Kissing Hand Handprint Craft Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prep your paper
Print the free printable below on cardstock. Leave plenty of space in the middle for the handprint. If you’re doing this with a class, prep all the papers ahead of time. Make sure to write the child's name on each paper beforehand.

Step 2: Paint the hand
Pour a small amount of black washable paint onto a paper plate. Brush a thin, even coat onto your child’s palm and fingers. Thin is better than thick; it gives you the fingerprint detail that makes it precious.

Teacher tip: For toddlers, do one hand at a time and have wipes open and ready. For a whole class, a large black ink pad is much faster than paint.

Step 3: Make the print
Help your child press firmly in the center of the page, fingers spread slightly. Press gently on each finger and the palm. Lift straight up. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect; the smudgy ones are the most real.

Step 4: Add the heart
Once the paint is dry (about 2-3 minutes), glue a small red heart right in the middle of the palm. This is the “kissing hand”, Chester’s mom kisses his palm so he can carry her love to school.

Let it dry flat.

Making It Classroom-Friendly for 20+ Kids

If you’re a preschool or kindergarten teacher, here’s how to make this work without chaos:

- Assembly line it: One table for painting, one for printing, one for hand washing, one for heart gluing.
- Use paint palettes: The little 6-well palettes save paint and keep it from drying out.
- Have a drying station: A cookie cooling rack or clothesline with clothespins works perfectly.Write names in pencil on the back before you start so you know whose is whose.

5 Variations to Try

1. Colorful Hands: Instead of black, use brown or gray to match Chester the raccoon.

2. Family Version: Do a parent's handprint and a child's handprint side-by-side with a heart between them.

3. Laminated Bookmark: Reduce to 50% size, laminate, and use as a bookmark for the book all year.

4. First Day + Last Day Comparison: Do one on the first day of school and one on the last day to see how much they’ve grown.

5. Canvas Keepsake: Do it on a small 8x10 canvas with acrylic paint for a gift for grandparents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this craft best for?
This is ideal for ages 2-6 - toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten. Second graders also love it if they are reading the book.

How do I get the handprint to not smear?
Use cardstock, not regular paper. Use a thin layer of paint. And press, don’t wiggle. Have your child make a fist, then open, it relaxes the hand. Show the child what to do with your own hand. If they smear, it's okay. Remember, they are learning and exploring their world.

Is black paint okay for kids?
Yes, as long as you use non-toxic, washable tempera paint labeled for children. You can also use gray if black feels too dark.

How to Display and Preserve It

Once dry, you have options:

- Frame it in a simple white frame, it looks amazing as nursery or classroom decor
- Laminate it for durability
- Take a high-quality flat lay photo (like the one above) and include it in a first day of school scrapbook
- Add it to your child’s memory box with their first day photo

This craft has become our first-day tradition. We read The Kissing Hand the night before school starts, make our handprints in the morning, and then I tuck a little heart sticker in my daughter’s backpack, our own kissing hand.

If you make it, I’d love to see it. Tag me on Instagram or leave a photo in the comments!

Want the printable template? [Click here to download]

Written by Diana Chastain of Nanny to Mommy

Nanny to Mommy