Last Updated on April 27, 2026 by Masha Eretnova
Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend. It’s an opportunity to pause, reflect, and teach our children about the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
But how do you explain that kind of sacrifice to a three-year-old? Or a seven-year-old? You start with something small, something personal — like a handprint.
This free 20-page Memorial Day Handprint Art bundle turns a simple paint activity into a heartfelt keepsake.
What’s in the Bundle?
The bundle includes 20 printable pages featuring a wide variety of patriotic themes, all designed with a blank space or graphic element where kids add their handprint.
Designs include:
- American flag — a waving flag with space for a handprint in the blue field (like stars!)
- Poppy flowers — handprints become the blooms on a rose stem (“Memorial Day – Remember and Honor”)
- “I Love America” heart — a navy heart with red stripe accents, perfect for a handprint inside
- Military helmet — a classic soldier’s helmet with room for a handprint on top
- Firework rockets — two patriotic rockets with handprints as the fiery trails below
- Uncle Sam — a cute Uncle Sam face with a flag-striped handprint hat
- Fighter jet — a bold black jet silhouette with a handprint as the exhaust flame
- Military medal — a golden medal with a handprint in the center
- USA map — the outline of the United States filled with flag stripes and a handprint
- “Land of the Free, Because of the Brave” — with space for handprints at the top
Every design comes in both a completed sample version (showing how a finished handprint looks) and a blank template version so kids can add their own mark. That’s what makes this bundle so versatile — you can show kids the example, then hand them the blank to make it their own.
What Ages Is This For?
This project works beautifully for a wide age range:
- Toddlers (ages 2–3): With a little help from a grown-up, even the youngest children can participate. Focus on simple designs like the heart or the flag. The messier, the better — that’s half the charm.
- Preschool (ages 3–5): Kids this age love the sensory experience of paint on their hands. Let them pick their favorite design and help press their palm onto the page.
- Early elementary (ages 5–8): Older kids can take more ownership — choosing colors, pressing neatly, and even writing their name and the year on the back as a keepsake record.
- Upper elementary (ages 8–12): This age group can pair the craft with a short lesson or discussion about Memorial Day, turning the activity into something more meaningful and reflective.
The designs are engaging enough for older kids but simple enough for little hands — making this a great multi-age activity for families with children of different ages.
Supplies You’ll Need
Gather these simple supplies before you start:
- The free printable bundle (20 pages — get it free with your email below!)
- A printer and standard 8.5″ x 11″ white cardstock or printer paper (cardstock holds up better to wet paint)
- Washable tempera paint in red, white, blue, and yellow — or whatever colors match the design you’re using
- A shallow dish or paper plate for spreading the paint
- A foam brush or sponge to apply paint evenly to little hands (optional but helpful)
- Paper towels and wet wipes for quick cleanup between colors
- A smock or old shirt to protect clothing
- Somewhere to dry — a drying rack or a spot on the floor covered with newspaper
Optional: Once dry, these make gorgeous frameable art pieces. A simple 8.5″ x 11″ frame from a dollar store or craft shop is all you need.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Print your pages. Download the free bundle and print the template pages you want to use. For best results, use cardstock or heavy printer paper so the paint doesn’t bleed through or warp the page.
Step 2: Set up your workspace. Cover your table with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth. Pour a small amount of paint onto a shallow dish or paper plate — one color per plate.
Step 3: Choose your design. Look through the 20 pages together and let your child pick their favorite (or do several!). Talk about what’s on the page — the flag, the medal, the jet — and use it as a launching point to chat about Memorial Day in age-appropriate terms.
Step 4: Apply paint to the hand. Use a foam brush to apply an even layer of paint to your child’s palm and fingers, or simply press their hand gently into the paint dish. Make sure the whole hand is coated.
Step 5: Press firmly and lift carefully. Place the painted hand onto the designated spot on the printable — usually the center of the design. Press down gently but firmly, then lift straight up to avoid smearing. Have a paper towel ready!
Step 6: Let it dry completely. Set the page aside to dry for at least 20–30 minutes before handling. Tempera paint dries quickly, but give it time so the print stays crisp.
Step 7: Add a personal touch. Once dry, write your child’s name and age on the back (or even the front in small letters). Years from now, this little handprint will be a treasure.
How to Use This Bundle
At Home: This is a wonderful activity for Memorial Day weekend. Do it the Friday before, frame the finished pieces, and display them through the weekend. It’s also a sweet way to honor a family member who served — make one together and mail it to a grandparent or veteran in your life.
In the Classroom: Teachers, this bundle was made for you. With 20 designs, there’s a page for every student in most class sizes — or let students each choose their favorite.
It works as a standalone art project, or pair it with a read-aloud about veterans or Memorial Day for a cross-curricular lesson. The blank template pages are especially useful if you want the whole class to complete the same design.
For Childcare and Preschool Programs: The simpler designs (the heart, the flag, the “Happy Memorial Day” firework page) are perfect for little ones. Set up a paint station and rotate kids through in small groups.
Get the Free Bundle
Ready to get started? The full 20-page Memorial Day Handprint Art bundle is available completely free — just enter your email below to download your copy instantly.
You’ll get all 20 pages, including both the completed sample designs and the blank templates, ready to print at home or at school.
These little handprints have a big heart. Happy Memorial Day.
Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Chiang Mai-based certified teacher, artist, and blogger with 20+ years of personal painting journey.
She started painting and drawing very early and is now an international abstract artist and educator passionate about acrylic painting, gouache, and crafts.
Her works are part of international exhibitions and contests, including ArtlyMix (Brazil), Al-Tiba 9 (Spain), Exhibizone (Canada), Italy, and many more.
Besides her artistic pursuits, Masha holds a post-grad diploma in Teaching Film Photography and 2 music school diplomas: piano and opera singing.