The Cat in the Hat Handprint Painting for Kids

Handprint painting can be super fun! You will love today's craft idea!

We are on a roll with sharing Dr Seuss themed content at the moment. Dr Seuss is a fun series which i really love. My favourite type of book is the rhyming book and I really like The Cat In The Hat.

So much so that we ave plenty of Cat In The Hat themed crafts and food ideas here on The Inspiration Edit. In fact we have a whole category on the blog dedicated to anything and everything Dr Seuss including fun food ideas and more. Why not check it out?

Today's post is a tutorial for Cat In The Hat handprint which is a perfect and fun activity for the little ones. Enjoy.

Jump to:

💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
🎨 Supplies Needed
🖌️ How to Make the Cat in the Hat Handprint
🖌️ How to Make the Fish Handprint
🧑‍🎨 Expert Tips
💭 FAQs
The Cat In The Hat Handprint Painting For Kids
🖌️ Related Crafts

💖 Why You'll Love This Craft

Handprint Magic: Your hand becomes the cat’s tall hat—how cool is that?
Messy but Marvelous: It’s a little messy, but that's what makes it extra fun!
Memory Keeper: It's more than a craft—your little handprint becomes a keepsake to treasure!

🎨 Supplies Needed

Paint
Paintbrush
Canvas
Pencil
Black Permanent Marker

🖌️ How to Make the Cat in the Hat Handprint

Step 1: Paint the palm of your child’s hand with a big white circle surrounded by black paint.

Step 2: Paint your child’s fingers with red and white paint. You do not need to use the thumb just the fingers.

Step 3: Gently press your child’s hand onto a canvas. Help them pull up in one swift motion to avoid smearing the paint. Turn the canvas around. Paint the palm of your child’s hand with a big white circle surrounded by black paint. Paint your child’s fingers black.

Step 4: Gently press your child’s hand onto a canvas. Help them pull up in one swift motion to avoid smearing the paint. (make sure this handprint is going down on the canvas the opposite direction of the first handprint)

Step 5: Dip your child’s fingertips into black paint and add ears and into red paint to create a neck bow.

Step 6: Allow the paint to dry completely.

Step 7: Use a pencil to draw a face onto The Cat in the Hat. Once you are satisfied, trace the face details with permanent marker.

Step 8: Once the marker is dry, use an eraser to remove any pencil lines left behind.

🖌️ How to Make the Fish Handprint

Step 1: Paint your child’s entire hand orange.

Step 2: Gently press your child’s hand onto a canvas. Help them pull up in one swift motion to avoid smearing the paint.

Step 3: Dip your child’s fingertips into white paint and add 2 eyes.

Step 4: Allow the paint to dry completely and use a bowl or popcorn bucket to draw a circle around the fish with your pencil.

Step 5: Draw a bottom to the fishbowl. Once you are satisfied with the fishbowl, use permanent marker to trace the pencil lines.

Step 6: Use a pencil to draw water detail in the bowl, splashes of water and a face on the fish.

Step 7: Trace the details with black permanent marker. Once the marker is dry, use an eraser to remove any pencil lines left behind.

Step 8: Thin down teal paint with water. Paint the inside of the fishbowl.

Step 9: Allow your handprint painting to dry completely. Your art work is now complete.

This is a fantastic preschool or homeschool activity and great for Dr Seuss Day or World Book Day. Why not give it a go?

There are plenty of other Dr Seuss characters you might like to make using your handprint.

Check out our Thing 1 Thing 2 handprint post. It's fabulous.

Related Product

💡 Pro Tip: Use common household items like toilet rolls or cardboard tubes to make Easter-themed crafts. This promotes sustainability while boosting creativity.

🧑‍🎨 Expert Tips

Use a Template: Download and print the free templates from the article. This ensures uniformity in shapes, making the crafting process simpler for kids.
Choose Bright Colors: Vibrant pastel colors like pinks, yellows, and blues bring an Easter feel, making the crafts look lively and festive.
Layer Materials: Combine paper, foam, and fabric to add texture to your crafts. Layering materials gives depth and enhances the final look.
Incorporate Nature: Use natural items like twigs, flowers, and leaves to add a rustic touch to your Easter crafts. Nature-inspired elements enhance creativity.
Add Personal Touches: Personalizing crafts with names or messages will make each piece unique, allowing kids to express themselves in their creations.
Display Creatively: After crafting, display the finished pieces in baskets or hang them around the house. This shows off the hard work and adds festive cheer.

💭 FAQs

What materials are needed for this craft?

You’ll need black, white, and red paint, a paintbrush, a canvas, a pencil for sketching, and a permanent marker for outlining. These materials are key to creating the Cat in the Hat handprint design.

How do I start creating the Cat in the Hat handprint?

Paint your child’s palm with a white circle surrounded by black paint. Paint the fingers with red and white paint, then press the hand onto the canvas.

What are the steps to complete the painting?

After the handprint dries, dip your child’s fingertips into black paint to add ears and into red paint to create a neck bow. Allow the paint to dry completely.

How can I add facial features to the painting?

Use a pencil to draw a face onto the Cat in the Hat. Once satisfied, trace the details with a permanent marker and erase any pencil lines left behind.