Handprint Santa Ornament: A Christmas Craft for Kids

a painted handprint craft made to look like santa

The holiday season has a way of filling homes with art projects, giggles, and memories that form between brushstrokes. The handprint Santa ornament is one of those crafts that is quietly treasured for years. It’s a simple Christmas ornament craft made with paint and paper, but it’s also a Christmas keepsake craft that holds the story of tiny hands and childhood wonder.

This Santa craft for kids is easy enough for even the youngest artists, yet meaningful enough to become part of the holiday tradition. Each ornament captures a moment in time; the size of a child’s hand, the smudge of paint that missed the mark, or the proud grin after stamping the perfect Santa.

Supplies Needed

To make a handprint Santa ornament, gather:

red tab and white paint a black marker a paint brush hole puncher string scissors and green construction paper

White, off-white (or peach), and red paint
A paintbrush
Green or red cardstock
Black marker
Scissors
Hole punch
String or twine
Optional: laminator or clear contact paper

How to Make a Handprint Santa Ornament

a kid's hand painted with red, tan, and white paint

1. Paint the Hand
Start by painting each section of the hand. Paint fingers white for Santa’s beard. Use off-white or peach paint on the upper palm for his face. Add a thin white line above that to separate the face from the hat. Then paint the top of the palm and most of the thumb red for the hat, and finish by painting the tip of the thumb white for the hat’s pom-pom.

2. Stamp the Handprint
Once painted, press the hand firmly onto the cardstock. Keep fingers together, but have the thumb extend outward for Santa’s hat. Lift carefully to reveal a full Santa shape made entirely from a handprint. Let the paint dry completely before adding details.

a handprint made to look like santa on green construction paper

3. Add Santa’s Face
With a black marker, draw small eyes, a smile, and any extra details that bring the design to life. The beauty of this handprint Christmas craft is that no two Santas ever look the same. Each one reflects the personality of the little artist behind it.

4. Cut and Protect the Ornament
Cut around the handprint, leaving a bit of space around the edges. For extra durability, laminate the ornament or cover it with clear contact paper.

a handprint made to look like santa on green construction paper with a hole punched at the top

5. Add a Hanger
Punch a hole at the top, thread a piece of string or twine through, and tie a knot. Hang it proudly on the tree, where it can shine year after year.

Why This Christmas Craft for Kids Matters

The holidays often move faster than anyone intends. Between shopping, baking, and decorating, paint-covered moments like these tend to slip away. This Christmas craft for kids is a gentle reminder to pause and take in the magic of small hands that create big memories.

Each handprint Santa captures a snapshot of childhood which is more than just the sum of its paint. Those little fingers won’t always fit so easily into an adult hand, and that’s what makes this Christmas ornament craft priceless. It’s a bookmark in time, showing how much the child has grown each holiday season thereafter.

A Santa Craft for Kids That Doubles as a Keepsake

Many ornaments sparkle, but few carry as much heart as a handmade one. This Santa craft for kids is a tradition waiting to happen. Each year, the handprints tell a story of different sizes, different shades of red and white, and of more confidence than years before.

Parents often tuck these Christmas keepsake crafts away after the holidays, then pull them back out next year to hang beside newer creations. It’s impossible not to smile while lining up the Santas from years past, each one a chapter of childhood caught in paint and paper.

A Slower Kind of Christmas

This craft encourages slowing down, taking a moment to sit together, get paint everywhere, and enjoy the process. The laughter that happens during projects like this is often the part that’s remembered most.

It’s easy to get caught up in the pace of the season, but the act of helping little hands press paint onto paper has a way of grounding the moment. The paint might be uneven, a little thick in spots, but that’s exactly what makes it perfect. The imperfections are the proof that this moment really happened.

Display Ideas for Handprint Santa Ornaments

Christmas Tree Ornament: Hang it front and center, where it can be admired all season long.
Gift Tag: Attach it to a present for grandparents. It’s guaranteed to melt hearts.
Holiday Wall Art: Frame it each year as part of a growing collection of handmade memories.
Classroom Display: Perfect for teachers looking for a sweet, low-prep classroom Christmas activity.

Every version adds a personal touch to the season’s decorations while keeping the focus on creativity and connection.

The Heart of Handmade Holidays

When the paint dries and the ornament finds its place on the tree, it’s obvious that it’s more than just a handprint Christmas craft. It’s a record of little hands, big laughs, and shared moments. It carries the memory of that day, like the small chatter at the table, the smell of tempera paint, and the proud grin of a child holding up their masterpiece. Years from now, when those same hands are much larger, this simple Santa will tell the story of a time when they were small enough to leave their mark in paint. The handprint Santa ornament captures everything that makes crafting with children so meaningful: creativity, connection, and the joy of watching a bit of imagination bring something to life. It’s a yearly reminder to slow down, make a little mess, and celebrate the magic of being young.

Liked This? You May Also Like…

Wooden Gingerbread Keepsake Craft: A Christmas Craft That Lasts for Years
Create a wooden gingerbread keepsake craft that lasts for years. Paint a board measured to your child’s height and decorate for a Christmas craft to treasure.
Gingerbread Dip Recipe: An Easy and delicious Christmas Dessert Idea
Gingerbread dip offers a no bake Christmas dessert idea. It’s a simple gingerbread treat idea kids enjoy helping with and sharing during holiday celebrations.
Reindeer Bait Sensory Bin: A Nature-Inspired Christmas Activity for Kids
Reindeer bait sensory bin creates a nature-inspired Christmas activity for kids. This setup encourages storytelling, scooping, and imaginative holiday play.
Fizzy Candy Cane Experiment: A Fun and Easy STEM Christmas Activity for Kids
Fizzy candy cane experiment creates peppermint-scented bubbles that spark curiosity. A Christmas science experiment that adds excitement to holiday learning.
Candy Christmas Trees: An Edible Holiday Activity for Kids
Stack Rolos, Reese’s, and Hershey’s Kisses to make adorable candy Christmas trees! It’s an easy and fun Christmas fine motor activity for kids.
Save
Snow Globe Sensory Bottle: A Sparkly Winter Calm-Down Craft for Kids
Create winter magic with this calming Snow Globe Sensory Bottle! Perfect for toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten, this easy DIY sensory bottle encourages sensory exploration, mindfulness, and calm-down time. Great for winter activities, Christmas sensory play, calm-down corners, and early childhood learning centers. A simple, sparkly craft kids will love!
Save
Gingerbread Literacy Activities for the Holiday Season
Bring holiday magic to your literacy block with these Gingerbread Literacy Task Cards! Kids will love the gingerbread theme while strengthening letter sounds, sight words, and early literacy skills. Great for December centers, guided reading groups, winter classroom activities, and hands-on Christmas phonics practice. Perfect for teachers and homeschoolers!
Nativity Popsicle Stick Craft: A Hands-On Way to Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas
Create a meaningful Christmas activity with this easy Nativity Popsicle Stick Craft for Kids! This simple Christmas craft helps children learn about the Nativity story, practice fine motor skills, and make a sweet keepsake for the holiday season. Perfect for Sunday school, homeschool, classroom Christmas crafts, Bible lessons, and family holiday activities. Fun, simple, and budget-friendly!
Save
Santa Paper Plate Craft: A Classic Christmas Activity for Kids
Make an easy Paper Plate Santa Craft for kids with this fun DIY Christmas activity. Using simple, budget-friendly supplies, this Santa craft is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, classroom projects, and holiday parties. Click for step-by-step instructions to create a cute paper plate Santa kids will love.