Plaster of Paris Handprint Keepsake

Plaster of Paris (available at craft and hardware stores)

Water

Disposable bowl for mixing

A disposable plate or shallow container for the mold

Paint and brushes for decorating the finished piece

A mixing stick

Mix plaster of Paris with water according to the package directions. Stir smoothly in a disposable bowl. The consistency should be like thick pancake batter.

Pour the plaster into a disposable plate or shallow container to about 1 inch deep. Work quickly — plaster begins setting within minutes.

Wait 3 to 5 minutes. The surface should be firm enough to hold an impression but still soft enough to push into. Test with a fingertip at the edge.

Have your child spread their fingers wide and press their hand firmly into the plaster. Push down evenly across the whole hand.

Hold steady for about 30 seconds, then lift the hand straight up. Do not wiggle or the impression blurs.

Let the plaster harden completely — at least 2 hours, overnight is better. The plaster will feel warm as it cures.

Once fully set, pop it out of the container. Paint the handprint, decorate around it, and write the date, your child's name, and age on the back.

Timing the press is the trickiest part. Too early and the plaster is too liquid to hold the shape. Too late and it is too firm to make a deep impression. Practice with a finger poke at the edge.

Petroleum jelly on the hand beforehand can help the hand release more cleanly, but it is not required.

Plaster of Paris is inexpensive and widely available. A small box makes multiple keepsakes.

Add a hook or loop of wire into the wet plaster on the back side for wall hanging.

Make one every year on a birthday. A collection of handprints from age 5 through 12 is an incredibly meaningful growth record.