First Day of School Handprint Craft (Free Printable Keepsake)

A first day of school handprint is one of the easiest ways to capture the excitement of a new school year.

These simple keepsakes turn messy hands into meaningful memories, and they’ve become one of our favorite traditions.

If you’re looking for a fun, creative way to mark the moment, these free back to school printables make it easy to start a new ritual without much prep.

Colorful handprint art printables for the first day of school, featuring preschool themes and painting prompts.

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Handprint Art for the First Day of School

Making a first day of school handprint is a simple way to start the year with something creative and meaningful. These crafts are easy to set up and turn into fun keepsakes your kids will love looking back on.

To get started, you’ll need:

Cardstock paper (regular printer paper works too, but cardstock holds paint better)
Washable paints (we use these for all our handprint crafts)
Paintbrush
Wipes (trust me, you’ll want these nearby!)

How to Use the Free Templates

Print the three handprint art templates included below, they’re designed for standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper.

These free printables are great for preschoolers and early elementary kids and work well at home or in a classroom. Just be sure to use them for personal or educational use only.

First Day of Preschool Handprint

This design features space to turn a painted handprint into a little figure beneath a child’s head.

Let your kids choose their favorite paint colors (we used blue, pink, and green), then use a brush to lightly coat their hand.

First day of preschool handprint craft featuring diverse cartoon children and colorful painted handprints with paint pots and brush.

Carefully press the handprint below the face, pressing gently along the hand for a clear shape.

Wipe clean, lift the hand, and let it dry. That’s it, you’ve got a sweet first day memory to save or display.

My First Day Handprint

Next up is a cheerful apple design. Use red paint to match the fruit, or let your child pick their own colors.

Brush the paint onto their hand, then press it just under the apple’s stem and leaf.

First day of school apple handprint craft with red paint, printable template, and paintbrush for a fun preschool art keepsake.

Once dry, you can even add googly eyes or frame it for a cute classroom or hallway display.

Paintbrush Handprint Craft

This one’s all about fun: “Small hands, big fun, painting on day one!” Use brown paint (or any color your child loves), then press their hand above the brush handle printed on the page.

First day of school handprint painting activity with colorful paints, brush templates, and playful “small hands” printable sheet.

To add extra flair, let your child splatter different paint colors around the page — it’s a fun way to personalize their masterpiece.

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Why We Love First Day Handprint Art

Handprint crafts are a creative way to mark the start of the school year and keep kids engaged without pressure.

They encourage imagination through painting, coloring, and personal touches.
The simple steps help build confidence and reinforce following directions.
Each handprint is unique, turning the activity into a personal keepsake.
And yes, waiting for paint to dry adds a little built-in patience practice.

It’s an easy way to start the day with something memorable.

More First Day of School Activities

Looking for more simple ways to start the school year off right? These printable activities help ease kids back into learning with fun, low-pressure ideas:

Try this first day of school scavenger hunt to get everyone moving and laughing.
Let younger kids feel special with a first day of kindergarten crown they can color and wear.
Snap a photo with our superhero-themed first day of homeschool sign, perfect for marking the moment.
Keep the day light and engaging with a get to know me worksheet that helps kids open up.

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Favorite Books for The First Day of School

If your child loves stories, these first day of school books are a great way to wind down after crafts or kick off your first morning together.

Here are a few favorites that make the start of school feel a little less scary, and a lot more fun:

First Day Jitters – This one had us both smiling. The twist at the end caught us off guard the first time we read it, and it’s become a favorite to reread every year.
School’s First Day of School – Such a clever story told from the school’s point of view. It helped take some pressure off that first day when Freddie was younger.
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! – If your kids love Mo Willems, this one’s perfect. It’s silly and relatable, and it helped lighten the mood when we needed a laugh before heading out.

Get the Free Handprint Template First Day of School Here!

Ready to grab your free printable? Just pop your name and email into the form below, and it’s all yours!

If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free back to school handprints.

Last Updated on 3 June 2025 by Clare Brown