How To Make Beach Sand Handprint Craft

May 21, 2026

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This beach sand handprint craft is a beautiful keepsake that will be cherished for years to come. As kids grow up, it’s nice to have a memory of how little they used to be. Bring or buy these supplies on your beach vacation to create a lasting memory of your trip together.

Blue canvas lying on sandy beach with sand pressed into blue-painted handprints and shapes on its surface.

So, if you’re looking for beach activities, beach crafts, sand activities, or handprint crafts, this sand handprint craft is the perfect one to try! All you need is glue, paint, a paintbrush, and a canvas to create this keepsake craft that will be loved for years. It also looks fabulous hung up on the wall at your house (bonus if your house is beach-themed like mine).

a cancas, glue, blue paint in 2 shapes, tan paint, and a paintbrush

What You’ll Need To Make This Beach Sand Handprint Craft

  • Canvas
  • Blue paint in different shades
  • Tan paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Glue
  • Beach sand

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How To Make A Beach Sand Handprint Craft

Paint the canvas with different shades of blue to look like ocean water. I like to paint it an ombre color, using dark blue for the water further out and light blue closer to the sand. Let your kids paint their canvas however they’d like – they are making this beautiful keepsake after all!

Paint one corner tan to create the sandy beach. Let the paint dry completely.

At the beach, cover your child’s hand with glue. Make sure to apply enough glue so it transfers to the canvas.

Close-up of a blue paintbrush applying glue onto a kid's hand.

Press the glued hand firmly onto the canvas to make a handprint.

Child's hand presses a bright blue canvas board on light sand.

Sprinkle beach sand over the glue handprint.

Close-up of a bright blue panel dusted with white powdery sand, with more sand scattered around it.

Gently shake off the extra sand.

Repeat with more handprints if desired.

Let everything dry fully before displaying.

Benefits Of This Handprint Craft

Blue art board stuck in sandy beach with turquoise paint and sand hands with the ocean in the background

This beach sand handprint craft will be a cherished keepsake, but it also helps build developmental skills kids need for everyday life, including:

  • Strengthening sensory exploration through texture and touch
  • Encouraging creativity and self-expression
  • Helping build fine motor skills while stamping and sprinkling
  • Creating a meaningful memory craft kids can treasure for years

Beach Activities For Kids

Pretend Play Ice Cream Sand Activity– Kids will use plastic ice cream cones, sand, and seashells to create “delicious” ice cream cones! It’s a great pretend play activity for kids, especially when they need a break from the sun!

Racetrack Beach Activity– Kids will create a racetrack on the beach to race toy cars. The cars race across the track all the way to the “mud puddle” finish line.

Summer Crafts For Kids

Mermaid Tail Craft– This mermaid tail craft uses construction paper, making it a super budget-friendly craft for kids. It’s so easy to make and looks fabulous!

Watermelon Suncatcher– Kids will create a fun stained-glass style suncatcher for summer! It lets the light shine in and looks beautiful hung up on windows!

Summer Activities for Kids

Water Balloon Splatter Art– This water balloon splatter art is such a fun and unique way to paint. Kids will throw water balloons filled with paint at the canvas. Fair warning though, it gets messy!

Paper Plate Ring Toss Game– Use a paper plate and water bottles to create a DIY ring toss game that is perfect for parties and summer afternoons.

Print

How To Make Beach Sand Handprint Craft

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This beach sand handprint craft is a beautiful summer keepsake! Kids glue and sand stamp their handprints onto canvas for a memorable piece of art.

  • Author: stacie
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Total Time: 25+ and dry time
  • Category: Crafts, DIY, Summer

Materials

     Canvas

     Blue paint in different shades

     Tan paint

     Paintbrush

     Glue

     Beach sand

Instructions

1.   Paint the canvas with different shades of blue to look like ocean water.

2.   Paint one corner tan to create the sandy beach. Let the paint dry completely.

3.   At the beach, cover your child’s hand with glue.

4.   Press the glued hand firmly onto the canvas to make a handprint.

5.   Sprinkle beach sand over the glue handprint.

6.   Gently shake off the extra sand.

7.   Repeat with more handprints if desired.

8.   Let everything dry fully before displaying.

author avatar
stacie
Stacie is a former first grade teacher who loves to share educational activities to help kids learn, grow, and develop! She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Child Development with a focus on Mental Health.

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