Easy Hand Print Fish Painting

Lately, my son has been all about fish. Whether we’re watching them swim in our new fish tank or reading books about underwater adventures, it’s safe to say fish have become a big part of our daily play! So, naturally, we’ve been trying out all sorts of fish-related crafts to keep the fun going.

This handprint fish painting was an easy and cute activity that my son loved. It’s a great way to combine a little art and some sensory fun. Plus, it’s such a sweet keepsake, capturing those tiny handprints in the form of colorful fish!

If your kids are into fish too, make sure to check out our free Build Your Own Fish Tank printable and Paper Plate Fish Craft for more simple, fishy fun. These activities have been a big hit in our house, and they’re great for all ages!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Materials

• Underwater background (free printable – just scroll down to get it!)
• Paint
• Paint brushes
• Marker
• Glue
• Googly eyes (optional)

We decided to make a “Nemo fish” for this project because my son is obsessed with Finding Nemo, but feel free to use whatever colors you like for your fish. If you don’t have googly eyes on hand, no worries – you can just use a marker to draw an eye on your fish. I made this specific underwater scene just for this craft, and you can download it for free. Just scroll down to grab the download!

How to Make a Handprint Fish Painting

1. Print the Underwater Background
   Scroll down to grab the FREE download and print out your underwater scene.
2. Paint Your Child’s Hand
   Help your child paint their hand, or let them do it on their own. For a Clownfish, we used orange and white stripes on the hand. Make sure they keep their hand open while you paint so the colors don’t mix.
3. Stamp the Handprint
   Have your child press their painted hand onto the paper, with their wrist near the bubbles on the background and their thumb facing down. Encourage them to keep their fingers together to make more of a fish shape.
4. Let the Paint Dry
   Wait for the paint to fully dry before adding any additional details.
5. Add Details
   Use markers to enhance the fish’s colors or add more designs. You can also add a googly eye, or if you don’t have one, simply draw the eye and mouth with a marker.

If you like this activity, be sure to try out our free make your own fish tank printable activity and our paper plate fish craft!

Tips for Painting Toddlers’ Hands

Painting a toddler’s hand can be a bit tricky, but with a few simple tips, it can be a fun and smooth experience:

• Use a Brush: A small paintbrush works best to paint your toddler’s hand, giving you more control over where the paint goes and allowing you to apply colors evenly. This also helps to avoid any big messes! My son thought the paintbrush was tickly and thought it was hilarious that we were purposely painting his hand and not the paper.
• Choose Washable Paint: Be sure to use washable, non-toxic paint. We always use this paint for our crafts and it washes off hands really easily! This makes it easier to clean up and keeps it safe for your little one. We always have wipes or a wet washcloth handy for quick clean-ups.
• Encourage Them to Stay Still: Ask your child to spread their fingers slightly and keep their hand open while you paint it. To keep them from getting wiggly, you can sing a short song or count to 10 while you paint! You can even do the “this little piggy went to the market” song while you paint each finger.
• Use a Towel or Wet Wipe: Place a towel or paper towel under their hand to catch any drips while painting or after they press their hand onto the paper. This helps contain any accidental spills.
• Press Gently: Once the hand is painted, gently help your child press their hand onto the paper. Make sure they hold still long enough for the paint to transfer properly, but don’t worry about being perfect—it’s all part of the fun! My son wanted to move his hand around on the paper so we had to do a quick hand stamp so the paint wouldn’t smudge.

Variations to this Activity

There are so many fun ways you can change up this handprint fish project! Here are a few ideas to get creative:

• Add Sparkles or Glitter: After the paint dries, use glue to add sparkles or glitter to your fish for a shimmery, underwater effect.
• Use Different Colors: Instead of making a Nemo-like Clownfish, try different colors to create a Rainbow Fish, or let your child pick their favorite colors to create their own unique species.
• Make a School of Fish: Instead of just one fish, use different handprints and colors to create a whole school of fish swimming through the ocean!
• Textured Fish Scales: Use small pieces of tissue paper or sequins to glue onto the fish for a textured, scaly look.
• Add Seaweed and Coral: Get extra creative by using additional materials like green string or paper to make seaweed or coral around your fish for a full ocean scene.

Feel free to experiment and let your child’s imagination lead the way!

How to Get the Underwater Background Download

You can download the underwater background for FREE by simply entering your email below! Once you’ve signed up, you’ll get access to the printable background, and you can print it out to get started right away. This printable is perfect for your handprint fish painting activity, and you can reuse it for other underwater-themed crafts too. Just scroll down, pop in your email, and the download will be sent straight to your inbox!