Leprechaun Handprint Craft for St. Patrick’s Day

This charming leprechaun handprint craft is an art project for young kids that is easier than it looks. The trickiest part is applying the paint, and I’ll teach you how to do it perfectly the first time.

The age level for this project is flexible from babies to elementary school ages. This project is quick, easy, and cute.

Handprint crafts are great because you only need a little paint, and you most likely already have the supplies on hand. What you don’t have you can easily swap for a different material, too.

Looking for more St. Patrick’s Day crafts and fun?

• St. Patrick’s Day Bingo
• Froot Loops Rainbow Craft (and Snack!)
• St. Patrick’s Day I Spy Game
• Four-Leaf Clover Fingerprint Art

Fun Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Children:

St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17 each year. There are a lot of fun ways you can celebrate the actual day and any events around it. Here are a few ideas!

• Make four-leaf clover crafts for good luck.
• Eat something rainbow.
• Set a leprechaun trap.
• Wear green so you don’t get pinched.
• Make this leprechaun handprint craft!

Why Kids Love Leprechaun Crafts:

• Leprechauns are sneaky and hilarious. Watch to see if they make any messes in your home or classroom.
• Leprechauns love rainbows, and we have lots of rainbow crafts.
• Don’t forget to check out our favorite St. Patrick’s Day books to learn more about leprechauns.

Supplies needed:

1. Tan and orange acrylic paint
2. Black marker
3. Kids scissors
4. White, green, black and yellow cardstock
5. Glue stick

Tips for Applying Paint:

• The upside down hand creates the shape of the leprechaun’s face and beard.
• I like to use a paint brush to apply the paint to my child’s hand. If your child is old enough, they can help with this part by painting their own hand!
• To get the best handprint impression, press down on each finger individually before pulling the hand up.

How to Make Your Leprechaun Handprint:

1. Apply beige paint to the palm of the hand for the face.
2. Apply orange paint to the fingers and also the top of the palm of the hand for his hair.
3. Use this photo for a guide when you apply the paint. Make sure to use a generous coat for the best handprint. Go as quickly as you can so paint does not begin to dry.
4. Always wash hands completely after handprint projects.
5. Once the paint has dried, draw on the leprechaun face and using green and yellow construction paper make him a hat.
6. Use a glue stick to glue the hat onto the leprechaun’s face.

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Get the How-To

Leprechauns are so fun, sneaky and hilarious! Make this handprint craft with kids to help them celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Cost $2

Yield 1 handprint leprechaun

Prep 5 minutes mins

Drying Time 20 minutes mins

Cook 5 minutes mins

Supplies

1x2x3x

• ▢ acrylic paint (in beige, green, and orange)
• ▢ 4 pieces construction paper (in green, yellow, black and white)
• ▢ 1 black marker (or black paint to decorate face)
• ▢ 1 glue stick

Instructions

• Apply beige paint to the palm of the hand for the face.
• Apply orange paint to the fingers and also the top of the palm of the hand for his hair.
• Make sure to use a generous coat for the best handprint. Go as quickly as you can so paint does not begin to dry.
• Always wash hands completely after handprint projects.
• While the handprint is drying, cut out your leprechaun hat using construction paper.
• Glue on the leprechaun hat to the handprint.

Equipment

2 paintbrushes one for each color of paint being used

1 pair of scissors

Keywords handprint crafts, st. patricks day