Looking for a fun and frugal Halloween activity for kids? This monster handprint craft is a cute and creative way to have some hands-on fun.
Using a simple activity tray, your kids can make their own spooky (or silly!) monster handprint crafts with paper, pom poms, googly eyes, and more. And you can either glue your monster together or enjoy again and again!
This DIY project is easy to prep and mess-free. It’s perfect for classroom use, homeschool fun, or rainy day time. Plus, it’s a great way to build fine motor skills while letting imaginations soar.
Why This Easy Monster Handprint Activity Is So Much Fun
When my boys were younger, I loved using simple and frugal activity tray. These trays were helpful around Halloween when energy was high. This monster handprint craft was one of our favorite ways to enjoy quiet time for kids.
This craftivity is easy to set up and uses supplies you have. I often used construction paper, glue, pom poms, and a few other crafty bits. I could pull it together in minutes and the boys were so into it. They had a blast designing their own silly monsters with a variety of shapes, colors, and textures.
And honestly? I appreciated the quiet focus just as much as the fun. While they were creating, I could put a little one down for a nap, start dinner, or sneak in a hot cup of coffee.
What You’ll Need for This Monster Handprint Craft
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand for this fun Halloween activity tray. Don’t worry – most of it you probably already have in your craft stash!
- Construction paper (a variety of colors is fun!)
- Scissors
- Glue stick or liquid glue
- Pom poms
- Googly eyes
- Pipe cleaners
- Washable markers
Optional: A tray or shallow bin to contain all the supplies (and the mess!)
Use what you’ve got! This activity is super flexible. You can substitute or skip items based on your supplies.
How to Make This Monster Handprint Activity Tray
This Halloween activity tray is quick to prep and tons of fun to explore! Here’s how to make it happen:
Make the Handprint Base.
Place your child’s hand on a sheet of construction paper. Trace around the hand with a marker or pencil. Cut out the handprint shape. Make multiple handprint shapes. These shapes will be the monster’s body.
Prepare Monster Parts.
Cut fun shapes out of construction paper, such as triangles for spikes, circles for spots, and rectangles for silly features. Cut out antenna shapes to give your monster wiggly ears or feelers.
Decorate the Monsters.
Glue on googly eyes. Add pom poms, paper shapes, and pipe cleaners to make the monster unique. Use markers to draw extra details like stripes, spots, or silly mouths.
Creative Ideas and Extensions for This DIY Monster Activity
Want to take this monster handprint craft to the next level? Here are a few easy ways to mix it up and make it even more exciting:
- Turn It into a Keepsake Write your child’s name and the year on the back of their monster. You’ll be so glad you did!
- Monster Story Time: Have your students name their monsters. They can draw or write a story about it, too.
- Turn It Into a Puppet: Glue the handprint monster onto a craft stick or straw. So much fun for a DIY puppet show or story prop!
- Creative Learning Activity: Use different shapes, patterns, and textures. Talk about colors, counting, or geometry.
FAQs About This Handprint Monster Craft
This activity works great for preschool through early elementary kids. Toddlers can enjoy with supervision. Older kids might enjoy it if they love getting creative!
Absolutely! This craft is super flexible. Swap out materials based on what you have. You can use buttons instead of pom poms, stickers instead of googly eyes, etc.
The setup takes just a few minutes. Kids can spend anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes (or more!) decorating their monsters depending on interest.
Make Your Own Cute Monsters!
This monster handprint craft is such a simple hands-on way to add creative fun to your Halloween. With a few supplies and activity tray, your kids can make silly monsters for decorations and more.
Ready to make your own monster magic? Grab those supplies, set up your tray, and let the creativity begin!
Do you have any questions for me about this monster handprint activity? And I’d love to know what supplies you use! Please share in the comments area at the bottom of this post.
