We enjoy crafting with pressed flowers, and handprints are another favorite, so combining the two creates a wonderful keepsake to make with your children! It would also be a lovely birthday or Mother’s Day present.
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A footprint works well for this project too. It would look precious in a baby’s nursery or serve as a memorable keepsake for a baby’s first birthday.
This can become a two-part activity: first gather and preserve the flowers, then make the handprint frame. Grassy areas in city parks near playgrounds often contain plenty of wildflowers that are trimmed during spring and summer. Collecting a few before they are cut makes them ideal for this project.
Have you never pressed flowers before? The process is very simple! See our easy tutorial for pressing flowers.
Supplies Needed
- Pressed Flowers – gather wildflowers or blooms that have fallen from your garden to create your own. Learn how to make your own pressed flowers. You may also purchase some pressed flowers here.
- Floating frame – wipe the glass clean before beginning
- Washable ink pad – choose a non-toxic option. The color is unimportant because it will be washed away afterward.
- Paint sponge
- Tweezers – to lift and position the flowers
- Scissors
- Mod podge
- Q-tips
- Isopropyl alcohol – to remove excess mod podge when necessary
- Paper towel
- Parchment paper or paper plate
- Paint pens
Suggested Frame Sizes
- 1-year-old:
handprint frame: 5 inches X 5 inches
footprint frame: 4 inches X 6 inches - 5-year-old: 5 inches X 7 inches
- 9-year-old or small adult: 6 inches X 8 inches
- Large adult hand: 8 inches X 10 inches
How to Make a Pressed Flower Handprint
1. Create the handprint using ink.
Disassemble the frame, using just one glass panel for making the handprint. Start by forming the handprint in the middle of the glass. Gently press the hand onto the ink pad, ensuring that the palm and fingers receive an even coating.
Choose a washable ink pad. Since it will be rinsed away later, the ink color does not matter. As another option, trace or print a handprint on paper and attach it to the back of the glass with tape to use as a guide.
2. Turn the glass over.
After creating the handprint, gently turn the glass over and set it on parchment paper so the handprint is facing downward.
3. Apply Mod Podge.
With a paint sponge or brush, spread a thin coat of Mod Podge over a small portion of the handprint. Applying it section by section keeps the adhesive from drying before the flowers are placed.
4. Place the pressed flowers.
Carefully lift the pressed flowers with tweezers and set them onto the glued section. Position them in whatever arrangement you prefer.
Repeat the process across each section until every flower is in place and the design looks the way you want. Include a few flowers with stems to represent the fingers.
If necessary, shorten long stems or pieces with scissors.
5. Remove excess mod podge.
Adults can use isopropyl alcohol to wipe away any stray glue marks surrounding the handprint.
6. Optional: include the date
You can use paint pens to write a date, name, or meaningful message if you like.
Put the glass to the side and let it dry fully.
When it has dried, rinse only the back of the glass with fresh water to wash off the ink handprint. You can also wipe the print away with a damp paper towel, then dry the glass using a clean one.
Once the ink has been removed and the glass is clean and dry, place the other glass panel over it, trapping the flowers inside. Put the frame back together.
Admire your completed artwork! Display it on a shelf to add color to any room, or present it to someone as a thoughtful gift!