This baseball handprint craft is a quick & easy Father’s Day craft that can be done in just a few minutes, freeing kids up to make the perfect card or help prepare a special Father’s Day breakfast!
I always have such a hard time coming up with presents for men, and Father’s Day is no exception! I want to do crafts with the kids that will appeal to the majority of dads (while also being appropriate to give to single moms or other male relatives) while also being a craft that the kids can complete on their own.
This baseball handprint craft would be the perfect accompaniment to a handmade card, or the kids can make popsicle stick boxes to keep the baseballs in or even tie a ribbon around!
How to Make a Baseball Handprint Craft
First, gather your materials:
- Baseballs (one for each child) You can often find them at Wal-Mart for low prices, or you can ask for donations if you are in the classroom, they don’t need to be new!
- Ink pad
- Baby wipes
- Container – store-bought or homemade, optional
- Ribbon (if you decide to not use a container)
If you’re worried about the cost of baseballs, I found they could be purchased cheap in bulk, or you can always contact a recreational league and ask if they can save the balls they are done with. I actually think this craft would look kind of cool with weathered baseballs.
Have the children first practice positioning their hands on the baseball and carefully removing their hand without “smudging.” This is also a great way to keep the other kids busy while you work one on one with each child to make their ink prints. If you are in the classroom with a large group, I recommend pulling small groups throughout the day and not doing this all together.
Rub the ink pad directly across each child’s palm, covering it completely. Carefully hold the top of their hands and help them position it on the baseball. If they are younger without much hand strength, gently press down on their hands to help make a solid impression before helping them to carefully move their hands without smudging.
Give them a baby wipe to magically wipe off the ink. I found the baby wipes worked perfectly for hands, but the ink is firmly on those baseballs once it touches.
We tried two different types of ink with wildly different results. We tried an artistic (India) ink that I painted on the hands, and then an ink pad – the kind you’d use with stamps. The ink pad turned out much better and dried within moments, so I highly recommend that option.
These handprint baseballs are such a sweet gift for any parent or baseball aficionado. I splurged and bought shadow boxes on sale from Michael’s, but this craft would also work great if you mounted the baseball in an empty picture frame (from the dollar store) or a painted canvas, or simply tied a bow around it, as is (that may be what I do next year!)
What will you be making for Father’s Day this year?
More Father’s Day Ideas
For another Father’s Day handprint craft – check out our Father’s Day handprint gifts that can be framed or laminated to use as placemats.
For tons more ideas for both Mother’s and Father’s Day, check out our specific Pinterest Board for these occasions!
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Jennifer
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Would acrylic paint also work? My baseball is weathered so I’m worried the ink may not show up?
Hi Kristina! I haven’t tried acrylic paint, however, I would think it would be similar to lasting as a stamp would? Definitely worth a try! Sorry that I haven’t personally done it. Do let me know how it works if you use it! : )