Earth Day Handprint Craft (Free Printable Template)

Every year Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd and there’s no better way to decorate your home or classroom than by getting your kids to make this cool handprint Earth Day craft!

Handprint crafts are a creative way to help kids feel engaged with the special day you’re celebrating and they’re also a fun way to sneak in some extra fine motor skills practice.

Use our free printable earth template with your kids at home or in your classroom! Let’s get started.

Table Of Contents:

Materials

Tissue paper or crepe paper (blue and green)
Printable template
Construction paper
Double-sided tape
Scissors
Glue

Instructions

Step 1)

Print the earth template and cut it out.

Step 2)

Cut small strips of tissue paper or crepe paper. Crumple them to give them texture before attaching them to the template with glue.

Put blue tissue paper where the water would go and green tissue paper where the continents of the earth are.

Step 3)

Once you’re finished with the earth, trace and cut two handprints out of construction paper.

Attach the handprints on both sides of the earth with glue or double sided tape.

Video Instructions

Prefer video instructions for this craft? Check out Crafty Kids Play YouTube channel and watch the full video tutorial for this Earth Day handprint craft here.

Earth Day Craft Template Download

Use the download button after the next image to get your copy of this free template. These digital files are for your own personal use only, not for commercial use or resale.

For best results, print on white paper or thin cardstock at home or at your local printer.

earth-day-template Download

Tips & Troubleshooting

Prepare Materials in Advance:

Depending on the age of your kids and the type of crafting tasks they need help with, have all materials pre-cut, organized, and ready to go before starting the craft. This ensures a smooth crafting experience that’s so much fun, especially for younger children.

Use Kid-Friendly Tools:

Opt for child-safe scissors and non-toxic glue to ensure the safety of the younger crafters. Consider rounded-edge scissors for added safety.

Demonstrate Techniques:

Before diving into the craft, demonstrate the techniques involved, such as crumpling tissue paper before attaching it to the craft. This helps children understand the process and feel more confident in their abilities.

Variation Ideas

Green and Blue Fingerprints:

Instead of using strips of tissue paper, use your fingerprints to create the continents and oceans. Dip your fingertip into green washable paint or stamp ink for the land and blue paint for the water. Stamp your fingerprints onto the template in the shape of the continents and oceans.

Glitter Glue:

Add a touch of glitter to this craft, using green and blue glitter glue instead of tissue paper to decorate the earth with. This is a great craft activity

Colorful Construction Paper:

Allow children to express their own creativity and choose their favorite color of construction paper to make their handprints with. Or give everyone the same color and allow them to decorate their handprints with markers, stickers or crayons.

Benefits of This Earth Craft For Kids

Fine Motor Skills:

Cutting, crumpling, and gluing tissue paper, as well as cutting out handprints is the perfect way to help kids develop their fine motor skills. This is a great activity to help improve hand-eye coordination through precision in handling craft materials.

Educational Opportunity:

Through this craft, children can learn about planet Earth, its continents and oceans. Discussions about environmental conservation, the importance of Earth Day, and protecting nature can be an important part of this crafting experience.

Spatial Awareness:

Placing tissue paper on specific areas of the Earth template and attaching handprints on both sides involve spatial awareness. This helps children understand the placement of objects in relation to one another.

Cognitive Development:

Planning and executing the steps of the craft, such as cutting, tracing, and attaching materials, contribute to cognitive development. Children learn to follow instructions, sequence steps, and problem-solve if any issues arise during the crafting process.

Sensory Exploration:

The use of different materials like tissue paper, construction paper, and glue provides a sensory experience for children. Kids can feel the textures, enjoy the colors, and dive into a tactile adventure. This hands-on experience contributes to their sensory development, making crafting a whole lot of fun while secretly boosting their skills!

Environmental Awareness:

The Earth Day theme of this craft introduces children to environmental concepts. It opens the door for discussions with older kids about the importance of taking care of the earth, recycling, and being mindful of nature.

Final Thoughts

This creative craft is a great way to celebrate environmental protection and get ready for Earth Day.

Stick around Crafty Kids Play for more great crafts and activity ideas for kids of all ages. Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day Handprint Craft (Free Printable Template)

Materials