Despite it only being the middle of March, we are getting closer and closer to Easter. In a way, it doesn’t seem real because I don’t feel ready, but somehow I need to get in the season. And this Easter handprint craft was just the way to do it.

I first spied this on Pinterest, my go to for all things crafty and food-related, and I just couldn’t get my mind off of it. So I made some with my boys.

I have had mixed results with baking salt dough and this no salt dough that I used below. I had issues with cracking today. I’m not sure if my oven is too hot (though I used the lowest setting) or what, but even with the cracks, I think the craft turned out cute. If you have a go-to dough recipe, by all means, use that. And let me know what it is so that I can use it, too!

When it came to painting, I was concerned that the boys would “mess” up this little decoration. For Nicholas’, my youngest, I didn’t even let him paint. I did that one myself. But for the two older boys, I let them paint it as they liked, though I only gave them “Easter” colors to work with. I encouraged them not to paint in the hand part until the end, and for the most part, they were able to control the brushes. But despite their best efforts, they still got paint where it didn’t need to be. But I found that I could easily touch it up after they were done. I tried to keep to their vision, but I filled in the white spots and smoothed the edges.

Overall, I am pretty please with how these turned out. Just don’t forget to put the name and age of your kids on the back so that you can always remember how little they once were!

Easter Handprint Craft

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 cup baking soda

3/4 cup water

acrylic paint

In a medium saucepan, heat the cornstarch, baking soda, and water until the consistency of mashed potatoes. Cool and add more cornstarch as needed if sticky. (I ended up making a double batch and got six hand eggs cut out.)

Roll out the dough (not too thin!) and press your child’s hand into the dough. Be careful to make sure each finger gets an impression but that it doesn’t go through and create a hole. Cut out an egg shape around the hand. I cut the bottom flat so that it would stand up straight when leaned against a wall.

Bake at 170 degrees F for an hour to an hour and half until firm. Flip them over halfway through.

Once hardened (or mostly so) paint as desired.

Want more Easter crafts? Here’s some ideas to get you going, or check out our Easter board on Pinterest!

Three Crosses on a Hill

“Stained Glass” Easter Eggs

Resurrection Garden

Homemade Resurrection Eggs