It’s back to school time and creating a handprint paper plate wreath is a simple craft that can be worked on together on the first day of school. It can be hung on the classroom door to remind each other that together you are a community of learners.
Materials:
- construction paper or card stock (skin tones)
- paper plate
- glue stick or glue dots
- pencil
- scissors
- hole punch
- ribbon
How to Make a Handprint Wreath for Your Classroom
Directions:
- Have each child choose which colored paper they want to make their hand prints out of.
- The first step is to have the children trace each of their hands onto the paper. If necessary, kids can help each other by tracing other kids’ handprints.
- Then, have the children cut out their handprints. Do not worry about how well they cut them out. The fingers of the child’s handprint create texture in the wreath.
- The next step is to cut out the center of the paper plate to make a paper plate ring.
- Students can write their names on the little hands or just leave them blank.
Layer and glue the hands to the center of the paper plate ring, layering them as you go.
Once the glue is dry, punch holes (we punched 10) toward the inside of the paper plate.
Finally, lace ribbon through the holes and tie it into a bow at the bottom of the wreath.
Make a loop of ribbon on the back of the top of the wreath for hanging (optional).
This can also be a simple Christmas craft for kids! For Christmas handprint wreaths, use a piece of green construction paper and red construction paper for the kids’ handprints. Add pom poms or paper circles for red berries. (picture courtesy of The Best Ideas for Kids)