Get those little hands busy making this adorable handprint monkey craft! If you are looking for an easy, engaging, and memorable activity that is perfect for preschoolers and even toddlers, you have swung to the right place.
There is something undeniably charming about monkeys. When you think of animals that bring instant joy and entertainment, it is hard to picture anyone else but these cheeky primates. From the pages of classic storybooks to the big screen, monkeys have captured our hearts for generations. Whether it’s the innocent curiosity of Curious George or the rhythmic moves of King Louie in The Jungle Book, kids just seem to connect with them naturally.
But monkeys are more than just funny characters. They hold significant cultural meaning around the world. Did you know that the Monkey is one of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac? Or that in Hindu mythology, Lord Hanuman is revered as the Monkey God, symbolizing strength and devotion? Monkeys even teach us wisdom through the famous “Three Wise Monkeys” proverb: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
In this guide, we are going to channel all that fun energy into a creative project. We will explore some famous monkey characters, dive into why handprint crafts are so important for development, and then give you a step-by-step tutorial on how to make your own little primate masterpiece.
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Before we get the glue sticks out, let’s talk about why this craft is such a hit with kids. Children love characters they can relate to. Monkeys are energetic, playful, and sometimes a little mischievous—just like toddlers!
Here is a quick look at some of the most beloved monkeys in pop culture. You can use this list to spark a conversation with your kids while you craft. Ask them, “Which monkey is your favorite?” or “What sound does a monkey make?”
Top 10 Monkey Characters for Kids
- Mojo Jojo: The super-intelligent villain from The Powerpuff Girls who always has a plan (even if it fails!).
- King Louie: The swinging orangutan from Disney’s The Jungle Book who just wants to be like you-o-o.
- Abu: Aladdin’s loyal, kleptomaniac sidekick who has a heart of gold.
- Rafiki: The wise mandrill from The Lion King who teaches Simba about the Circle of Life.
- Boots: Dora the Explorer’s best friend, known for his red boots and helpful nature.
- Master Monkey: The agile warrior from Kung Fu Panda with a great sense of humor.
- Monkey: The superhero sidekick from Dexter’s Laboratory.
- Coconuts: The robotic monkey from the Sonic the Hedgehog series.
- George: The star of Curious George, whose curiosity always leads to adventure.
- Keymon: The magical monkey from the show Keymon Ache.
It looks like Disney and Nickelodeon have given us plenty of inspiration! Today, we are going to create a character that is even more special because it is made from your child’s own handprint.
You might be thinking, “It’s just a paper craft,” but handprint art is actually a powerhouse for child development.
- Fine Motor Skills: Tracing a hand requires a steady hand and patience. Cutting out the shape (with safety scissors) helps strengthen the small muscles in the fingers and hands, which are essential for writing later on.
- Sensory Experience: If you choose to use paint instead of paper for the handprint, the feeling of cold, squishy paint is a great sensory activity that toddlers love.
- Identity and Growth: Handprint crafts serve as a “snapshot” in time. Years from now, you will look back at this craft and be amazed at how small their hands once were. It’s a keepsake that freezes a moment of childhood.
- Creativity: While we provide a template, there are no strict rules! Maybe your monkey is purple? Maybe it has three eyes? This encourages imagination.
Supplies You Will Need
One of the best things about this craft is its simplicity. You don’t need expensive materials or a trip to a specialty art store. You likely have everything you need in your kitchen drawer or craft bin.
- Colored Craft Papers: You will need brown (for the body/head), tan or light peach (for the face/tummy), and yellow (if you want to add a banana!).
- Craft Glue: A glue stick is less messy and works great for paper-on-paper.
- Pencil: For tracing the hand.
- Googly Eyes: These add that silly, wiggly personality that makes the monkey come alive.
- Sharpies or Markers: Black for drawing the mouth and nose.
- Scissors: Child-safe scissors for the little ones, and regular ones for adults helping out.
- The Template: (Optional) You can draw the head shapes freehand, or download a simple monkey face template online.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make the Handprint Monkey
Ready to get started? Clear off the table, put on some jungle music, and let’s get crafting!
Step 1: Trace the Hand
This is the most important part! Take a sheet of brown craft paper. Have your child place their hand firmly on the paper. Spread their fingers out slightly—the thumb will be the monkey’s tail, and the four fingers will be the monkey’s arms and legs.
- Tip: If your child is wiggly, tape the paper down to the table first so it doesn’t slide around while you trace.
Step 2: Cut Out the Body
Using your scissors, carefully cut along the traced line. If your child is learning to use scissors, you can let them try to cut the straighter lines while you handle the tricky curves around the fingers.
- Note: Keep the “hand” shape intact. Turn it upside down so the fingers are pointing down. Now it looks like a monkey body standing on four legs with a tail (the thumb) sticking up!
Step 3: Create the Head and Face
Now we need to give our monkey a face.
- Head: Cut a large circle out of the same brown paper you used for the body.
- Face: Cut a heart shape or an oval shape out of the tan/light peach paper. This will be the face area. Glue this onto the brown circle.
- Ears: Cut two small brown semi-circles and two smaller tan semi-circles. Glue the tan pieces inside the brown pieces. Glue these ears to the sides of the head.
Step 4: Assemble the Monkey
Apply glue to the top of the handprint (the palm area, which is now the top of the body). Stick the head firmly onto the body.
- Design Choice: You can tilt the head slightly to give the monkey a curious, questioning look!
Step 5: Add the Features
This is where the personality shines through.
- Eyes: Peel the backing off your googly eyes and stick them in the middle of the tan face. If you don’t have googly eyes, you can draw them with a marker or cut white circles out of paper.
- Mouth & Nose: Use your black Sharpie to draw two small dots for the nose and a big, happy smile.
- The Tail: Remember the thumb? That is now the tail! You can curl the paper slightly using a pencil to make it look like a prehensile tail ready to grab a branch.
Step 6: The Final Touches (Optional)
Why stop there? Let’s accessorize!
- A Banana: Cut a crescent shape out of yellow paper and glue it to one of the “fingers” (arms) so it looks like the monkey is holding a snack.
- A Vine: Use a green pipe cleaner or a strip of green paper. Glue it behind the monkey so it looks like he is swinging through the jungle.
- Hair: Snip a little bit of brown yarn or black paper fringe and glue it to the top of the head for a funky hairstyle.
Fun Variations to Try
Once you have mastered the basic Handprint Monkey, try these fun twists to keep the creativity flowing:
1. The “Paint” Version: Instead of tracing on paper, cover your child’s hand in non-toxic brown paint and stamp it onto a white sheet of paper. Once it dries, paint on the tail and glue on the paper head. This makes for a great texture and a lovely keepsake art piece to frame.
2. The Monkey Family: Get the whole family involved! Make a “Daddy Monkey” with dad’s large handprint, a “Mommy Monkey,” and a “Baby Monkey.” Glue them all onto a large piece of poster board with green leaves to create a family tree—literally!
3. Greeting Cards: Fold a piece of cardstock in half. Do the handprint craft on the front cover. Write a punny message inside like, “I love hanging out with you!” or “You are top banana!” These make adorable Father’s Day or birthday cards from kids.
Conclusion
Crafting with kids doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be memorable. This Handprint Monkey Craft is the perfect blend of easy, educational, and entertaining. It allows you to spend quality time together, talk about animals, and create something cute that celebrates your child’s growth.
So, the next time you are stuck inside on a rainy day or looking for a classroom activity, remember this cheeky little monkey. Grab some paper, trace those tiny hands, and get ready for a jungle of fun!