Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Christmas Hand Painting
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Christmas Hand Painting is a free printable arts and crafts sheet from the Jaques of London Happy Hands range. Children use their hands and some paint to make festive artwork. It suits families, classrooms and home educators who want a hands on Christmas activity, and younger children will enjoy it with a grown up nearby.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Page 2 has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea.
What is on the sheet
Children use their hands to paint a festive Christmas picture. They choose their colours, decide where each mark goes and see how paint and paper work together. There are no right or wrong answers, so every finished piece looks different. The sheet is about trying ideas, enjoying the mess and making something to be proud of.
Getting set up
Protect the space
Cover the table with newspaper, an old tablecloth or a wipe clean mat. Roll up sleeves or wear an old shirt. Put a damp cloth or wipes within reach before you start.
Choose the paint
Use washable paint made for children. Put a little in a shallow dish or on a paper plate so small hands can reach it easily. Christmas colours such as red, green, gold and white work well.
Prepare the paper
Print the sheet on plain paper. Thicker paper copes better with wet paint if your printer can take it. Keep a spare sheet or scrap paper for practice prints.
Plan the clean up
Set up a sink or bowl of warm water and a towel before the paint comes out. Wash hands straight after painting, and leave the finished picture flat to dry.
Why paint with hands?
Painting with hands is one of the oldest ways to make a picture, and children take to it quickly. There are no brushes to hold correctly and no rules about how to start. Many families already make Christmas cards, decorations and gifts by hand, and a painted picture with a child's own marks often becomes a keepsake that is saved year after year.
Hand painting is also good practice for art skills. Children mix colours, notice texture, repeat shapes to make patterns and learn how much paint is enough. These link to the Art and Design strand of the National Curriculum for England, which includes using a range of materials creatively and developing techniques in colour, pattern and texture.
Use washable paint made for children and check the label. Paint is not for eating, so remind children to keep hands away from their mouths and eyes while they work. Wash hands well afterwards. Let a grown up check for skin sensitivities or allergies before using any paint.
Skills and curriculum link
- Creativity
- Colour choice
- Fine motor control
- Pattern making
- Planning a picture
- Following their own ideas
Tips for the grown up
- Thin layersA thin layer of paint gives a clearer print than a thick one. Spread it with a sponge or brush before pressing down.
- Press and liftAsk children to press firmly, hold for a moment, then lift straight up. Sliding the hand smudges the print.
- One colour at a timeLet one colour dry a little before adding another on top. This keeps the colours bright instead of turning muddy.
- Praise the effortTalk about colours, shapes and choices rather than how neat it looks. Every print is part of the picture.
Key words
- PalmThe flat middle part of your hand.
- FingertipThe end of a finger. It makes a small round print.
- PrintA mark made by pressing something covered in paint onto paper.
- PatternShapes or colours that repeat in an order.
- BlendTo mix two colours together so they join.
- TextureHow something feels, such as smooth, bumpy or rough.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has notes, help and a stretch idea.
- Set up the table, paint, wipes and a place for the picture to dry before your child starts.
- Look at the sheet together. Ask your child what they want their finished picture to look like and which colours they will use.
- Let them paint in their own way. Offer help with the paint, but let them make the choices.
- Wash hands, leave the picture to dry flat, then talk about it. Display it somewhere everyone can see.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Start with one hand and one colour. Dab a thin layer of paint onto the palm with a sponge or brush, then press down gently and lift straight up. Practise on scrap paper first. A grown up can hold the paper still while the child prints.
To stretch confident children
Plan the picture before you paint. Decide which parts will be handprints, which will be fingerprints and which will be brush work. Add small details such as faces or patterns once the paint is dry. Then turn the finished picture into a card for someone.
Make it a game
Play Print Pattern Copy. One player makes a short pattern of prints on scrap paper, such as red, green, red, green. The other player copies it and adds the next three prints. Swap roles and try longer patterns.
Talk about it
- Which colours make you think of Christmas, and why?
- How did you decide where to put your first print?
- What happens when you press harder or softer?
- What would you change if you made the picture again?
- Who would you like to give your painting to?
- What does your picture show, and what is it doing?
Take it off the page
Hand tracing
Trace around each family member's hand on coloured paper. Compare the sizes and talk about whose hand is biggest and smallest. Children can decorate the shapes with crayons.
Handmade wrapping paper
Print simple patterns on plain or recycled paper using washable paint. Leave it to dry, then use it to wrap a small gift.
Card for a friend
Fold a piece of paper into a card. Draw or paint a festive picture on the front and write a message inside. Children practise writing and kindness together.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child while they begin, then let them lead. Keep the setup simple and the wipes close. Focus on enjoying it together rather than aiming for a perfect picture. There is no set time, so stop when your child is ready.
Teachers
Use it as a calm December art activity, a cover lesson or a display project. Prepare the paint and drying space in advance. It links to the Art and Design strand on using materials creatively, and children can talk about colour and pattern afterwards.
Home educators
It makes a good creative break between more formal subjects. Add it to a Christmas topic or an autumn term project, and keep the finished pictures in a portfolio. Younger children can paint while older ones help, plan or write captions.
Where this fits
Before this sheet, children usually enjoy simple mark making with crayons, chunky pencils and finger paint. They learn to hold tools, make marks on purpose and name colours. Those early experiences give them the confidence to try painting with their hands.
After it, children can move on to painting with brushes, printing with other objects such as sponges or leaves, and mixing their own colours. They can also try collage, combining paper, fabric and paint, and start to plan a picture before they make it.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- Is Christmas Hand Painting free?
Yes. It is a free printable from the Mini Minds Hub at Jaques of London. Print it as many times as you like for your own family or classroom, and share the page link with others.
- What do I need to complete the sheet?
You need the printed sheet, washable paint made for children, a surface cover and something to clean hands. Sponges, brushes, paper plates and wipes are useful extras. Keep scrap paper handy for practice prints.
- Who is this sheet for?
It is for children who enjoy art and Christmas crafts. Younger children will need a grown up to help with setup and clean up. Older children can plan their own picture and work more independently.
- How long does it take?
There is no set time. Some children paint quickly, others like to take their time and add details. Let your child work at their own pace and stop when they feel finished.
- Is page 2 needed to complete the sheet?
No. Page 2 is for the grown up. It has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea. Children can start painting from page 1 alone.
- Is the paint safe for children?
Use washable paint made for children and read the label. Paint is not for eating, and children should wash their hands afterwards. A grown up should check for allergies or sensitive skin before starting.
- Can I use it in a classroom?
Yes. It works well as a December art activity or a calm lesson near the end of term. Prepare the paint, protect the tables and plan where wet pictures will dry before children begin.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.