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Make these super handprint sheep with your child. This activity is great for developing fine motor skills & imaginary play!
Perfect for Spring, Easter, farm or Baa Baa Black Sheep themed activities, these handprint sheep are simple to make yet oh so cute!
What You Need:
- Washable ready mixed paint
(we went with black)
- White card/paper
- Our FREE downloadable Baa Baa Black Sheep Handprint Template
- A short length of ribbon/string
- Scissors
Adult Prep:
1) Cut out the Baa Baa Black Sheep Handprint Template
2) Pour some of the black paint into a shallow tray or similar with a flat base
How to Play:
Either paint your child’s palm & fingers or put their whole hand into the paint – palm down with fingers spread
Put their hand onto the white card & press it down gently so you can get the very best print
Wash those hands while waiting for the paint to dry!
Cut out the handprint (minus the thumb!)
Glue the sheep template to the top of the handprint so that the fingers become the sheep’s legs
**You could also make some adult & sibling handprints so you get a variety of sizes
There are lots of fun things you can do with your handprint sheep:
- Use them to act out the Baa Baa Black Sheep nursery rhyme as you sing (use our Lyrics Sheet to help you!)
- Use them as decorations: great for farm, Easter or Spring themed displays or parties
- Glue them onto a background designed by your child, for example, a farm or field landscape
Make It Easier:
You will be able to make these handprint sheep even with small babies, but of course, you will need to make the sheep yourself. Once made, try these simple play ideas:
- Create a mobile i.e. hang the sheep from a wire or similar. Babies will love watching the sheep float around above them!
- Make a simple stick puppet: attach your sheep to a paper straw/lollipop stick – move the stick puppet around in front of your baby to support their eye-tracking development, concentration & interaction
Make It Harder:
Is your child ready to extend their fine motor & imaginative skills further? Try these ideas:
- Talk about different farm animals & farm-related songs/rhymes, for example, ‘This Little Piggy’ or ‘Old Macdonald’. Make more handprint animals such as cows, pigs or goats
- Puppet show: ask your child to make up a story about the sheep & use the puppets to tell their story. They could also use the puppet(s) to act out a favourite sheep themed storybook
- Challenge your child to cut out the sheep template themselves (with child-safe scissors) & then glue onto the handprint
WHAT ARE YOUR HELPING YOUR LITTLE ONE TO DO?
1. Experiment with different art materials, seeing what they can do with each item & practise using fine motor movements
2. Follow simple instructions given by an adult
3. Develop speech & language skills through imaginary play with the sheep & by listening to & joining in with the familiar Baa Baa Black Sheep nursery rhyme
4. Develop early maths concepts related to size & shape – for example comparing the different sized sheep
