Mermaid Canvas Using Handprints

I think I promised this post weeks ago.

But this happened....

And I still have not recovered!!

So here is what you need to make a Mermaid Canvas with your child's handprints.  We did this fun project at my daughter's fourth birthday party just a few weeks ago and it was tons of fun.  I owe all the creativity to my friend Nan who provided me with this great idea.

What you will need...

One canvas (I chose 8x10 for size)

Several colors of acrylic paint {hair color, skin color, fin color, polka dot color}

Cheap sponge brushes {I think I got mine at Michael's 14 for $1.00}

Thin to medium paint brush {I just pulled from my stash}

1.  Paint your child's right hand with the color of hair that you desire and have them press their hand down firmly on the canvas {make sure to coat their hand in paint}

2. If you have a child with highlights or low lights add those in by just repainting their fingers and pressing hand firmly back in the same place.

3.  We used baby wipes in between paint colors to take the paint off in a jiffy and keep kids from running back and forth to the sink

4.  With a thin/medium sized brush paint a circle for the face as well as the neck and arms.  Make sure to not get these lines too thick.

5.  Select the main fin color and paint your child's hand that color.  Have them press their hand firmly (with fingers together) down the center of the canvas. (You are making her body at this point).

6.  Paint hand again.  Have child spread fingers and press hand firmly to each side of the canvas (you are making her fins at this point)

7.  Last step.  Let your child choose their favorite accent color and with their finger dabb polka dots all over the mermaids body and fins.

8.  Allow time to dry

Really this is a simple project.  If you are doing it at a party I recommend one person showing how to do it step by step with all other children following along each step.  If you have four year olds or younger it is best when a parent is there to help.

If your princess is dreaming of a Mermaid Party this may be just the project that sets the fun tone for your entire party!

So forgive me for the post delay.....Sometimes time just gets away from me

and we never know who might flip her fins right to our table!

*And with all this mermaid talk, I have added three new items to my ETSY store just in time for summer.  They are all ready to ship out with purchase!  I hope to add a few more things over the weekend.  You can click the link on the right hand side of the blog to see a few new summer treats.*