Mother’s Day Handprint Dish Towels Keepsake Gift

What’s the way to mom’s heart? A handprint on anything! Especially those little handprints. We all know how quickly they turn to be handprints but those small little handprints remain, forever in our hearts. I try to make something different every year with my child care children to give to their parents, so this year we made Keepsake Mother’s Day Handprint Dish Towels. Mother’s Day tea towels can also become a favorite tradition in your child care center or home.

Keepsake Mother’s Day Handprint Dish Towels

I discovered these great fabric paint colors at Michael’s. They were all together and it made my decision easy! They are currently trendy colors – not sure what you call that style that’s all llamas, tassels, unicorns, and succulents?? Anyway, I’ve used other fabric paints in the past and they can leave a thick textured finish. It hasn’t really been a problem, but I liked the idea of these paints being a “soft fabric ink”. The Plaid colors I have here are:

• Real Yellow
• Lime
• Fruit Punch
• Tangerine

Last update on 2026-05-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Supplies for a Mother’s Day Handprint Towel

You just need a few simple supplies for this project:

• Iron
• Iron on paper (if you want to add text)
• Fabric Paints
• Flour Sack Dish Towels or Tea Towel
• Paint brushes
• Paper plate (for holding paint)
• cardboard or paper bag (to protect the table under the fabric while painting)

How to Make Handprint Dish Towels (Step-by-Step)

1. Prepare the tea towel

Start by ironing the dish towel so the surface is smooth. Place cardboard underneath to protect your table.

2. Paint the child’s hand

Brush a thin layer of fabric paint onto the child’s hand. Try not to overdo it—less paint creates clearer prints.

3. Make the handprints

Press the hand firmly onto the towel. Lift straight up to avoid smudging. Repeat with different colors or alternate hands to create a pattern.

4. Let it dry

Lay the towel flat or hang it carefully to dry completely.

5. Add optional text

You can personalize your towel with phrases like:

• “Happy Mother’s Day”
• “Best Mom Ever”
• “Made with Love”

Use iron-on transfer paper if you want a clean, printed look.

Directions:

1. Iron the dishtowel. If you don’t (like I didn’t) you may end up with creases in the handprints (like I did). Put the cardboard or paper bag under your dish towel to protect the table.

2. Squirt some paint on a paper plate. Paint the child’s hand. Press hand down to make a print.

3. Repeat as desired. We did left hand, right hand, left hand, right hand in each color.

4. Allow your towel to dry. Leave it laying flat or carefully hang it up.

I like the flat, soft finish of this paint.

5. Print out text using Paint or another program. Mirror text before printing. Take your time ironing on your text! I could have done a better job transferring on a couple of these. I think I rushed it, but the iron on paper is good quality!

Finishing Up

We wrapped our towels in colored paper, added a handpainted card and tied it with tulle. The towels turned out so pretty!

Find the free printable Mother’s Day Coloring Page here.

A Keepsake Families Will Treasure

Handprint gifts never go out of style, especially when they’re something families can use every day. This Mother’s Day handprint dish towel craft is easy to make, beautiful to give, and full of meaning.

It’s one of those projects that families will hold onto long after those little hands have grown.

Handprint Dish Towel FAQ

What paint is best for handprint dish towels?
Fabric paint or soft fabric ink works best. It creates a smoother finish and holds up better after washing.

Do you need to wash dish towels before painting?
Washing can help remove coatings, but it’s optional. Ironing before painting is more important for a smooth surface.

How do you set fabric paint on dish towels?
Most fabric paints require heat setting with an iron after drying. Always follow the paint instructions.

What can kids write on a Mother’s Day towel?
Simple phrases like “Love You Mom,” “Happy Mother’s Day,” or the child’s name and year work well.

More Mother’s Day Ideas

• Mother’s Day Coloring Page
• Owl Always Love You Cards
• Mother’s Day Poem/Handprint Keepsake
• Ladybug Planters & Watercolor MOM Cards
• Printable Flower Bookmarks for Mom
• Clay Fingerprint Tags
• Painted Mugs for Mother’s Day
• Mother’s Day Photo Lid Keepsakes
• Mom Mother’s Day Cards