Father’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re a mom on a mission to help your little ones give Dad the most meaningful gift he’s ever received – you are in the right place.
No trip to the store required. No big budget needed.
Just a few craft supplies, your child’s tiny hands, and about 20 minutes of your afternoon.
This “I Love You This Much” Handprint Card is one of those gifts that dads actually keep. Like, forever. Because it captures something no store-bought card ever could – the exact size of your child’s hands at this very moment in time.
And honestly? As a mom, making this craft with my kids was one of my favorite moments of the whole year. There’s just something about those little paint-covered hands that makes your heart completely full.
Let’s make it together. 💙
Why This Handprint Card Is So Special
Before we dive into the steps, let me tell you why this particular craft hits differently than most Father’s Day ideas.
It’s a keepsake disguised as a card.
When Dad stretches open that accordion fold and sees “I Love You THIS MUCH” – arms spread wide – it tells a story that words alone just can’t. And years from now, those tiny handprints will be a precious reminder of just how small your babies once were.
It’s also a beautiful reminder of God’s design for family – the way children are truly a gift, and the love between a parent and child is one of the most sacred bonds we know.
This craft is perfect for:
- Father’s Day
- Grandpa’s birthday
- A special gift for a stepdad or beloved uncle
- Any time you want to celebrate the dads in your life
What You’ll Need
Cardstock or heavy paper in two colors (we used blue and purple – so sweet together!)
Washable paint in your child’s favorite color
Scissors
A black or dark marker
Liquid glue or a strong glue stick
That’s it! Everything you need is probably already in your craft drawer right now.
How to Make the “I Love You This Much” Handprint Card
Step 1: Make the Handprints
Coat your child’s hands evenly with washable paint. Then press both hands firmly onto your cardstock – left hand on the left, right hand on the right.
Press down on every finger to make sure you get a clear, full print. Then lift straight up so you don’t smear it.
Set the paper aside and let it dry completely before moving on. This is the most important step – rushing the drying time will make cutting much harder later.
Pro tip: Lay the paper flat on a hard surface and have your child press down with you guiding their wrists. This gives you the cleanest prints!
Step 2: Cut Out the Handprints
Once the paint is fully dry, carefully cut around the outline of each handprint.
Cut just slightly outside the paint line so you get a thin paper border around each hand. This gives it a polished, intentional look – like the handprint is “framed” on its own little shape.
If your child is old enough, let them help with this step! It’s wonderful for building fine motor skills and it makes the gift feel even more “theirs.”
Step 3: Write the Message on the Palm
Using your marker, write “I Love Daddy” (or “I Love You,” “I Love Grandpa” – whatever fits your family!) on the palm of one of the handprints.
Write it bold and clear so Dad can read it easily when he holds it up.
On the back, you can also add the date or your child’s age – this tiny detail will mean so much years from now when you look back at this.
Step 4: Prepare the “Love Bridge” Strip
Cut a long strip from your second color of cardstock. Make it about 2 inches wide and as long as you can – the longer the strip, the more dramatic the “this much” effect when it opens up.
Using your marker, write “this much” in big, fun letters across the middle of the strip.
Make the letters large enough to read clearly when the strip is stretched open.
Step 5: Accordion Fold the Strip
This is the magical step that makes this card SO satisfying to open!
Fold the strip back and forth like a fan – fold forward, then fold backward, then forward again – all the way down the length of the paper.
Keep your folds even and tight. The more folds you make, the more dramatic the “stretch” effect will be when Dad pulls the hands apart.
Hold the folded strip from both ends and gently pull to check your accordion. Does it fan out nicely? Perfect – you’ve got it!
Step 6: Glue It All Together
Apply glue to the very end of one side of your folded strip. Press it firmly to the back of the left handprint.
Then apply glue to the other end and press it to the back of the right handprint.
Hold each end in place for about 30 seconds to let the glue bond. Then set the whole thing down flat and let it dry for a few minutes before handling.
Once it’s dry – pick it up, hold a hand in each hand, and pull it open slowly.
There it is: “I Love You THIS much.”
Cue the happy tears. 😭💙
The Finished Card: What It Looks Like
When you hold the finished card closed, it looks like two little blue handprints side by side – small and sweet.
But when you pull the hands apart, the accordion strip fans out to reveal “this much” – arms stretching wide open – just like a child reaching up for a hug.
It is genuinely one of the most precious things. Dads lose it every single time.
And the best part? When it’s folded back up, it sits neatly on a desk, a nightstand, or the fridge for Dad to open and smile at whenever he needs a little love boost.
Fun Variations to Try
This craft is incredibly versatile. Here are a few ways to make it even more special:
Make one for Grandpa with all the grandkids. Use a different color for each child’s handprints and connect them all in one long accordion strip. Imagine Grandpa pulling it open to find a chain of little hands from every grandchild – that’s a gift he’ll display with pride for years.
Add a Bible verse to the message strip. Something like Psalm 127:3 – “Children are a heritage from the Lord” – tucked in alongside “this much” makes the card even more meaningful for a faith-centered family.
Frame the handprints after the fact. Once Dad has had his moment, you can glue the card flat onto a piece of cardboard and pop it in a simple frame. Instant wall art, instant keepsake.
Use footprints instead of handprints for babies. For your tiniest little ones, little foot prints are even more adorable on this card. The accordion strip works the same way!
Make it into a card envelope. Fold a piece of cardstock in half, slip the handprint card inside, and decorate the outside with hearts and “Happy Father’s Day.” A complete gift that requires zero shopping.
Tips for Getting the Best Handprints
Getting clean handprints from wiggly little ones can be a little tricky – so here are the tips I’ve learned the hard way so you don’t have to!
Use a foam brush or sponge to apply the paint. Rolling or sponging paint onto the hand gives a more even coat than squeezing paint directly from the bottle. This results in a much cleaner print.
Work fast. Once the paint is on, get those hands pressed down quickly before it starts to dry or the child starts to wiggle.
Have a wet paper towel ready. The second the print is done, wipe those hands off fast! Washable paint does wash off, but it’s much easier when it’s still wet.
Do a practice run first. If you have a nervous or ticklish kid, do one “dry run” with no paint just so they know what to expect. It makes the real thing go so much smoother.
Make extras. Seriously – paint the hands twice and make two or three prints. That way if one smears, you have a backup. You’ll be glad you did!
Why Handmade Gifts from Kids Are the Best Gifts
There’s a reason dads hold onto these crafts for decades.
Store-bought gifts are forgotten. Handmade ones become heirlooms.
When a dad looks at those little handprints, he doesn’t just see a piece of cardstock. He sees the exact moment in time when his child’s hand fit right there in that print. He sees the afternoon you spent together making it. He feels the love.
And for us moms, these crafts are just as meaningful. There is something so grounding – so deeply good – about slowing down, sitting beside your child, and creating something with your hands together.
It’s a small act, but it reflects something beautiful: that love is shown in presence, in time, in the little things made with care.
This Father’s Day, give Dad something he can’t buy anywhere else.
Give him this much. 💙
More Father’s Day Ideas to Keep the Fun Rolling:
The Sweetest Father’s Day Gift You Can Make With Your Kids (And It Costs Almost Nothing)
Reel Him In: How to Make a DIY Fishing Bobber Gift Basket for Father’s Day
DIY Mini Grill Father’s Day Gift Basket: The Cutest Backyard BBQ Surprise Dad Will Love
How to Make a DIY Pop-Up Superhero Card for Father’s Day
DIY Handprint Keychains: The Sweetest Little Father’s Day Gift Kids Can Actually Make
10 Reasons to Make This Colorful Father’s Day Popsicle Stick Wall Hanging With Your Kids
A “Corny” Father’s Day: How to Make a Pop-Up “Pop-Corn” Card for Dad
