Messy-Hands Apron

Give your kids permission to get messy by using their hands to make colorful prints! Be sure to supervise your child during this activity, and use only nontoxic fabric paints.

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Materials

Solid-colored apron*, preferably white or light colored
Flat working surface
Newspapers (for protecting working surface)
Sheets of paper (for practice)
Textile paints: yellow, white, blue and green (see helpful tips)
Paper plates (big enough to lay an entire hand flat), one for each color of paint to be used
Sponge brushes
Paper towels
Water supply (for washing hands)
Iron and ironing board

Instructions

step 1Order an apron that is sized to fit your child (or the future wearer).

step 2Lay newspaper over your working surface for protection.

step 3Fill paper plates with various colored paints.

step 4Set out sheets of practice paper.

step 5Press the palm of the hand into the paint and move it around until the palm is completely covered with paint. Or dip a sponge brush in a color and apply paint evenly onto the palm from the top of the wrist to the tips of all five fingers.

step 6Using a practice sheet of paper, place hand firmly down on the paper and press for a few seconds without jiggling.

step 7Practice a few times until everyone is happy with the results.

step 8When you are ready, spread the apron on a flat, smooth surface (table top or floor) protected by newspaper. Use masking tape to secure the apron’s position.

step 9Press freshly coated hand onto the actual apron, wait a few seconds and then lift up.

step 10Repeat with other colors and/or change hands.

step 11Let dry 10 to 15 minutes.

step 12Heat-set by ironing on reverse side for 30 seconds at a temperature setting best suited to the fabric. Allow the apron to dry completely.

*Apron Online Sources

Chef Works®

Michaels®

Chef Works® is a registered trademark of Chef Works, Inc.

Michaels® is a registered trademark of Michaels Stores, Inc. All rights reserved. Michaels® has store branches throughout the country. Call 1-800-MICHAELS (1-800-642-4235) to find one near you.

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comments (5)

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recent comments

3/27/2010 ,

Janyce S.

This can also be done on t-shirts. What I have done is have all the grandchildren & great grandchildern put their handprints on and also have them sign their own names. You may have to help the younger ones, but even if you just let them add "their own signature", Grandma/Grandpa still know whos handprint is whose. This is also a great idea for groups of kids to give to their leaders, ie, school teachers, brownie/guiding leaders, dance teachers, etc. This gives them a wonderful keepsake to treasure for years to come.

9/3/2009 ,

Janna A.

I made something simular for my mother about 15 years ago and she still uses it. I had all of my nephews (7 of them at the time) place their hand print on the appron front and I wrote their names under the print. Since that time more grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been born and to have enough room, we have added the babies foot prints to the apron. I believe my mom would fight a house fire to get that apron, it means so much to her.

10/2/2008 ,

Eula M.

The hands would look fine either way. The way they appear on the apron example is sweet because it looks like hands extended open to someone . . . like towards a mother or grandmother.

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