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Making a fall craft is a great way to help kids learn about how seasons change and what that means for our environment or surroundings. This fall handprint wreath craft is so simple, you only need some construction paper, a glue stick and a paper plate! It makes for a fun keepsake or a cute piece of decor to kick off fall.
I love how versatile paper plate crafts for kids can be. And there’s something so special about kid handprint crafts that mark their age and growth! This would look adorable on a bulletin board filled with leaves made by each kid in class or would be a fun take home craft too. This craft is great for preschoolers and toddlers and can be displayed as a fun autumn wreath.
Why We Love Handprint and Paper Plate Crafts
I love projects with classic, easy-to-find supplies like popsicle sticks, toilet paper rolls, and paper plates. There is something nostalgic and timeless about them. Kids can get creative and love seeing what they can turn into too!
- Easy to find supplies are everything! Easy to find, easy to make, easy on parents and easy for kids. This is a great preschool fall activity that will help mark the changing of the seasons in a fun way!
- Older kids will be able to trace their own hands and it can be a great fine motor skill craft. Smaller kiddos will be able to decorate their leaves and help glue it together.
- When kids see their handprints used in a fun way they like how personalized it is to them.
- The best kind of kids projects are things you already have in your home, or can easily grab on your next grocery store trip.
- If you mess up it’s very easy and possible to start over. Easy fall crafts are a win-win!
Supplies for your Fall Handprint Wreath
- Paper plate
- Scissors (remember to do the cutting if your child isn’t ready to yet.)
- Construction paper scraps or cardstock in fall colors- I used brown, tan, red, orange and yellow
- Markers, crayons or paint
- I did use small tissue paper squares to hide any gaps but that’s optional.
- School glue
Steps for Your Fall Paper Plate Wreath
This is optional- but I started by painting my wreath brown with a paint stick. This makes it so if there are any gaps showing you don’t see the white paper plate. If you’re wanting this to be a faster craft you can use markers, crayons or colored pencils. Cut out the center of the paper plate.
While the paint dries, (or before) make the handprints by tracing the child’s hand onto construction paper. You’ll need 12-15 handprints depending on the size. You can either trace it multiple times on different colors, or trace it once and use that as a template for the rest. This is a great way to let kids work on tracing too! Decorate the details of the leaves with crayons or markers.
Start to glue on the tissue paper squares if using, or start glueing the handprints onto the plate. Alternate colors or do a color blocked look- the kid will have fun deciding on this part!
Allow time to dry completely, then display!
Tips for Making a Handprint Wreath:
- Use leftover scraps of paper from other projects.
- Add in real leaves if you want! It can be a fun sensory addition or a way to incorporate different textures.
- If you’re making this with a younger child who can’t cut with scissors yet, it may be helpful to prep the paper pieces for the eyes, legs and tongue in advance.
- If you have a kiddo who will want to craft right away, you can even pre-paint the plate so that they can start assembling without having to wait for the paint to dry.
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Get the How-To
Supplies
- 1 paper plate
- 5 pieces construction paper or cardstock
- 1 gluestick
- 1 pencil or crayon (to trace handprint)
- tissue paper squares (optional)
- paint marker or marker (optional)
Instructions
- This is optional- but I started by painting my wreath brown with a paint stick. This makes it so if there are any gaps showing you don't see the white paper plate. If you're wanting this to be a faster craft you can use markers, crayons or colored pencils. Cut out the center of the paper plate.
- While the paint dries, (or before) make the handprints by tracing the child's hand onto construction paper. You'll need 12-15 handprints depending on the size. You can either trace it multiple times on different colors, or trace it once and use that as a template for the rest. This is a great way to let kids work on tracing too! Decorate the details of the leaves with crayons or markers.
- Start to glue on the tissue paper squares if using, or start glueing the handprints onto the plate. Alternate colors or do a color blocked look- the kid will have fun deciding on this part!
- Allow time to dry completely, then display!