Pets bring so much joy, and dogs, in particular, are always ready for a game of fetch or a cuddle on the couch.
If your little ones are as paws-itively in love with furry friends as we are, they’re in for a treat! This handprint dog craft turns their tiny handprints into adorable pups.
Our collection of handprint crafts has so many amazing things kids can turn their handprints into. Check them out to see what they can make next!
Dog Hand Craft Idea
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Take their creativity off the leash and let them choose colors to match their own pet dog or customize their canine companion. This project is a fantastic way for children to use their imagination and see their handprints come to life as a cute dog!
Download the free template and gather a few basic supplies to get the fun started. It’s easy to set up and even easier for kids to enjoy as they create their handprint pups.
Supplies
Directions
Start by downloading the dog template and printing it out. Once you have the template printed, gather the materials needed for this fun activity. Get those scissors ready, and let’s help the kids bring this dog to life!
First, trace your child’s hand onto a colored piece of paper and cut it out. Place the handprint with the fingers pointing down and the thumb on the right side. Next, guide your child to glue the spots on the dog’s body.
Alternatively, kids can use markers to draw the spots on.
Now, place the tail spot on the tail and glue it in place. Trim off any part that falls off the tail.
Position the tail on the back and left side of the dog.
Glue the eyes on the face, below the eyebrows.
Attach the ears using glue to the back and side of the head.
Next, help your child glue the head to the thumb.
Finally, encourage your child to draw the toes on the dog’s leg.
Be sure to check out our animal crafts while you’re here! Your kids will love creating more fun DIYs like this one!
Related: Cat Headband Craft
Pet Themed Ideas For Kids
Looking for more tail-wagging fun? Find more pet themed ideas that are sure to keep your little ones entertained and engaged! We’ve rounded up a collection of paws-itively fun projects and educational activities inspired by everyone’s favorite friendly pets.
These activities are perfect for sparking creativity and making learning a howling good time, so read on below to discover new books to snuggle up with and hands-on activities that will have kids barking with joy and meowing for more!
Pet Themed Unit For Kids
Want to create a themed unit around this craft? We’ve got lots of ideas to get your started.
Books are a great way to get even further into a theme! On top of that, reading to kids helps them develop a stronger vocabulary and helps them learn to focus. It’s a win-win situation! Try out some of these cool books about space:
Can I Be Your Dog? – This is the cutest storybook about a dog named Arfy who’s a homeless dog. Follow his journey to finding the right family to adopt him!
Strictly No Elephants – When a boy and his pet elephant are denied entrance to a special club, they set out to create their own all-inclusive pet club! This is a great story of being a true friend!
If You Give A Cat A Cupcake – Kids who love the classic If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, will love this cat version! See all the silly things this cat needs!
Easy Pet Crafts
Cat Paper Plate Craft – Turn a paper plate into a playful cat using our free template! They can customize their kitty to look like a Siamese, Tabby, or any cat they imagine. It’s a meow-nificent way to spark creativity!
Try this Turtle Headband Craft!
Toilet Paper Roll Dog Craft – Kids can upcycle a toilet paper tube into a cute pup! They can customize its colors and features to match their favorite dog. It’s a fun project that gets kids thinking creatively while honing essential skills.
Fish Bowl Paper Plate Craft – This fish will make a splash with your little ones. They’ll use a paper plate, paint, and our free template to create their own colorful fish in a fish bowl. This fun and inexpensive activity is perfect for little artists who love to paint and create!
Turtle Handprint – Create something turtle-y awesome with your child’s handprint! Our free template makes it simple for kids to turn their handprints into adorable turtles. It’s a fun and easy project that adds a personal touch to their creation.
Preschool Pet Themed Activities
Make math fun with our printable pet pattern block mats! They’re great for toddlers through kindergarteners to help them master fine motor skills, shape recognition, patterns, counting, and symmetry.
The mats include playful pets like dogs, cats, and turtles that kids can fill in with their colorful pattern blocks. It’s learning and playing all rolled into one fantastic activity!
Get your kids excited about learning this fall with our adorable hedgehog worksheets! These cute critters accompany engaging activities like handwriting practice, letter recognition exercises, and coloring fun.
Dog Paper Bag Puppet
The activities include tracing the letter ‘Hh’ to labeling every spiky part of a hedgehog. Plus the letter maze will challenge little learners to find ‘Hh’s and solve problems in a playful way. Download and print these free worksheets to add a dash of fall fun to your child’s learning!
Pets bring so much joy into our lives, and they’re perfect for story time too! Check out this collection of fun books about pets for preschoolers that feature everything from playful pups and curious cats to serene fish and beautiful birds.
These stories will spark curiosity and celebrate the joys of pet ownership while promoting early literacy. Explore adventures, friendships, and life lessons with your preschoolers with this list of 15 pet books.
These pet store scavenger hunt printables are perfect for a family outing or a homeschool activity. The printables will have kids exploring the pet store and spotting all kinds of animals. Just print and let the fun begin!
The scavenger hunt keeps kids active and engaged, sharpening their visual skills and following directions. There are colorful and black and white options available to download. It’s a great way to bond, learn, and maybe even find a new furry friend!
Try this Paper Plate Dog Craft!
Share With Us
Did you make this activity with your kids or students? We’d love to feature them on our social media!
For a chance to have your child’s project featured, simply snap a picture of the completed project and post it to our Facebook page, email it to us directly by clicking here, or use #simpleeverydaymom on your social media!
Materials
- Colored cardstock or construction paper
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Marker
- Dog template
Instructions
- Download the dog template, print it, and cut out the pieces you need.
- Begin by tracing your child’s hand onto a colored piece of paper and cut it out. Position the handprint with the fingers pointed down and the thumb on the right.
- Glue the dog’s spots on the body.
- Now, place the tail spot on the tail and glue it in place.
- Position the tail to the back and left side of the dog.
- Glue the eyes on the head, below the eyebrows.
- Attach the ears using glue to the back and side of the head.
- Next, glue the head to the thumb.
- Finish off by drawing the toes on the dog’s legs.
Notes
Your child can also use markers to draw on the spots instead if they prefer.
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Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump and more. Read more.
