• Permanent markers
• Keychain

• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Shrinky Dink paper or number 6 plastic
• Permanent markers
• Keychain

Step 3

Place the prepared sheet on a foil-lined tray and put it in a preheated oven at 325°F. Bake for 1-3 minutes, allowing the material to shrink and solidify. Don’t worry if it curls up as it should settle back down. If any curling persists, you can carefully push the handprint flat once removed from the oven.

Step 4

If desired, punch a hole in the sheet before baking to transform the keepsake into a charming keychain.

Step 1

For this handprint craft for Valentine’s Day, use acrylic paint to make a handprint on the Shrinky Dink sheet or number 6 plastic. This handprint will form the ‘O’ in the word ‘LOVE.’

Step 2

Write the letters ‘LVE’ on the sheet using a permanent marker.

Step 3

Place the prepared sheet on a foil-lined tray and put it in a preheated oven at 325°F. Bake for 1-3 minutes, allowing the material to shrink and solidify. Don’t worry if it curls up as it should settle back down. If any curling persists, you can carefully push the handprint flat once removed from the oven.

Step 4

If desired, punch a hole in the sheet before baking to transform the keepsake into a charming keychain.

How This Activity Helps Develop Fine Motor Skills

For older kids, who are able to have more independence in the crafting process, this handprint craft for Valentine’s Day can contribute to the development of fine motor skills in several ways:

Painting and coloring: Applying acrylic paint and permanent markers onto the Shrinky Dink paper involves precise movements of the hands and fingers. This activity helps refine fine motor skills by encouraging control and coordination in the manipulation of small tools.

Handprint creation: Making a handprint on the Shrinky Dink sheet requires careful positioning of the hand and controlled pressure to ensure a clear and well-defined print. This process enhances hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity.

Writing and detailing: Writing the letters “LVE” with a permanent marker on the Shrinky Dink sheet involves controlled movements to create legible and neat characters. This contributes to the development of fine motor skills, particularly in the fingers and wrist.

Engaging in these specific steps for this handprint craft for Valentine’s Day promotes the development of fine motor skills, including hand-eye coordination, finger strength, precision, and control. These skills are crucial for various daily tasks, academic activities, and future artistic endeavors.