DIY Handprint Keychains – A Tiny-Handed Hug You Can Carry
Whether it’s for Mother’s Day, Grandparents’ Day, or just because someone deserves a little handmade magic, these handprint keychains are a sweet, sentimental keepsake that fits in your pocket (and won’t melt in the car like chocolate).
Bonus? It’s a fun, painty activity that results in a one-of-a-kind gift, and possibly a very colourful kitchen table. You've been warned.
What You’ll Need:
Shrink film (double-check the shrinking ratio on the package—some brands shrink like jeans in a hot dryer)
Acrylic paint
Permanent marker
Jump rings (1–2 per handprint)
Keyring
Tools of the Trade:
Paintbrush
Hole punch
Scissors
Sheet pan
Parchment paper
Oven +and oven mitts (because handprints, not hand burns)
How to Do It:
Lay out your shrink film and map out where those tiny hands are going. Leave space between prints, don't try to Tetris them all into one sheet. Trust us on this.
Tell the kids what’s about to happen. If they're under three, manage expectations. They may think you're inviting them to finger-paint the fridge.
Paint the hand. Enough to cover, not enough to drip like an '80s lava lamp. Too much paint = clumpy results. But hey, clumpy is still cute when it’s your kid’s hand.
Press hand to film. Make sure all five fingers get some love. You don’t need to roll it, just a firm, flat press works.
Lift in sync. A well-timed “1-2-3-LIFT!” works wonders. One adult hand should hold down the film so it doesn’t tag along with the kiddo’s.
Let it dry. Once it’s no longer a gooey mess, grab your marker and jot down the essentials: name, age, year, or a little love note if you’re feeling mushy.
Preheat your oven to the recommended temp (check your shrink film packaging).
Punch the hole. Choose a spot where the print will hang nicely on the keychain. Leave enough border so the jump ring doesn’t rip through post-bake.
Cut out the prints. Give a little buffer around the hand. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, imperfection is half the charm.
Bake it. Put the handprints onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and follow the baking instructions on your shrink film. Watch the magic happen, they’ll curl, shrink, and flatten.
Let them cool. Then spray with a clear acrylic sealant to keep the masterpiece intact.
Add jump rings. Twist to open, don’t pull apart (unless you enjoy fighting with metal rings for 20 minutes).
Attach the keyring. You can line them up in the same direction, or place them back-to-back so you can admire both prints at once.
These little keychains are the perfect mix of personal and practical, like a handmade hug on your keys. Great for Mom, Nana, Gramps, or anyone who appreciates a tiny reminder of the sticky, silly, love-filled chaos that is life with little ones.
