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Handprint Calendar

CURRENT  TEMPLATE HERE

Our handprint calendars are nearly done! I just need to finish assembling them and one child needs to finish Aug-Dec prints. This isn’t a new idea, I’m sure most of you have seen it, it’s from Little Giraffes.

I’ve thought about doing this project with my group in the past but it’s always seemed rather overwhelming. It actually wasn’t too bad! I have tips to share but first, here’s the pages of a completed calendar.

I admit, I’m kinda picky. I wanted more color and cute clipart so I redesigned the calendar. I’m happy to share my version.
2012k2page2
januaryfebruarymarchaprilMayjunecaljulyaugustseptemberoctnovemberdec

Handprint Calendar Tips:

Staples Matte Photo paper (8.5 X 11″ cardstock) worked wonderfully for this project. It prints beautifully and the paint doesn’t make the paper curl.

pages

After printing a set of pages, label them with the child’s name on the back.  No matter how organized you are, it’s too easy to mix them up and all the handprints look the same!

pages2

I do all of one child’s pages at a time. Often I have a different group of kids each day and you never know if someone will be sick or a schedule will change. So in order to get as many done at a time as possible, I set up like this:

pages3

  1. A little paint of each color.
  2. Paint brush for each color.
  3. Paper towel.
  4. Wet paper towels.

I find the kids really like to do handprints! To keep it interesting, I talk to them. I tell them “Now we’re going to make a leprechaun. This is going to be his hat.” (Paint top of hand and thumb.) “And this is his funny orange beard!” (Paint fingers orange.) “Let’s give him a face.” (Paint skin tone on palm.)

I work fast and then wipe their hands and move on to the next. For some reason my kids all kept asking to use the color brown! So they were excited to make the turkey. All the pretty colors and they want to do to brown. Sigh.

I decided the quickest and least expensive way to bind the calendar is to punch two holes and use book rings to hold it all together. Book rings are so plain so I had to add some fun ribbon and yarn.

Stacy

Tuesday 26th of October 2021

It's available now!

Kelly

Thursday 17th of November 2016

Could I please get an updated 2017 one please!

Stacy

Sunday 20th of November 2016

It's posted here: https://www.thingstoshareandremember.com/2015-handprint-calendar-template-printable/

Ashley Lussenden

Thursday 10th of November 2016

I love this calendar!! is there a 2017 one?

Thank you!!

Stacy

Sunday 20th of November 2016

Ashley, you can find it here: https://www.thingstoshareandremember.com/2015-handprint-calendar-template-printable/

Kate Towse

Friday 16th of September 2016

Hi, these are brilliant, thankyou. I wondered if you were planning a 2017 template please? I'm trying to get a bit of a head start!

Thanks.

KIm

Saturday 28th of November 2015

I think these are so adorable - but I hesitate to spend so much time on a project that they can only use for one year. I was wondering if these could be printed out without dates so that parents could use them year after year - or maybe the calendar part could be on separate pages that could be replaced each year. The gifts that my kids made in kindergarten I pull out and put up year after year.