Fish Handprint Shirt
Let the little ones create their very own DIY Fish Handprint Shirt! It’s the perfect summer activity, and a great messy play idea for kids. They’ll love showing off their cute fish, made by their own hands!
All you need are a few simple supplies to get started – and they’ll be designing and creating their own shirt with ease. Fun summer activities like this are perfect for the kids!
It’s amazing the amount of fine motor skills that they’ll use making this fun summer shirt! And the outcome of having a handprint shirt means that they’ll get to wear it over and over again.
How does messy play help with fine motor skills?
Messy play builds the foundation for everyday life skills by letting kids explore textures and tools in an unstructured, pressure-free way—developing strength, control, and confidence in their hands.
Messy play—think slime, sand, finger paint, or playdough—is more than just a fun, tactile activity. It provides the perfect opportunity for kids to practice small, precise hand movements that build fine motor control. Here’s how:
Strengthens Hand Muscles
Activities like squeezing sponges, kneading dough, or squishing slime help develop the small muscles in the fingers and hands, which are essential for tasks such as writing, buttoning, and tying shoes.
Improves Hand-Eye Coordination
Scooping, pouring, and transferring materials (like rice or water) require careful coordination between the eyes and hands, helping kids become more accurate and controlled in their movements.
Encourages Pincer Grip Development
Picking up small objects, such as beads or pasta, helps children practice the pincer grasp (using the thumb and forefinger), which is crucial for holding pencils and using scissors.
Enhances Dexterity and Precision
Manipulating different textures and tools—like paintbrushes, tongs, or pipettes—refines a child’s control over their fingers and movements.
Boosts Bilateral Coordination
Messy play often requires using both hands together in a coordinated way—like holding a container with one hand and scooping with the other—which mirrors skills needed for daily tasks.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission when anything is bought. This is at no additional cost to you.
Shop My Homeschool Room:
The following homeschool picks of mine can be found on Etsy. Simply click the image that interests you – yes, they do contain affiliate links.
Materials needed for this handprint shirt craft
- Simple white or blue cotton shirt (you can often find them at the store for cheap)
- Newspaper to put between the shirt and the workspace
- Fabric paint (we used orange)
- Puffy paint (for stripes)
- Black Sharpie (for mouth)
- Googly eyes
- Hot glue gun
Tips for making messy play less messy
Making handprint shirts is a blast, but it can get out of hand—literally! With a little prep and structure, handprint shirt projects can stay fun without turning your space into a super messy painting. Embrace the creativity—without the chaos!
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! You'll also get regular recipes & printables to your inbox!
Here are some practical tips to enjoy the fun without dreading the cleanup:
Use Washable, Non-Toxic Paint
Choose kid-safe, washable fabric paint or tempera. It’s easier to clean off skin and surfaces, and won’t leave permanent stains in case of accidents.
Prep the Painting Area
- Lay down a plastic tablecloth, shower curtain liner, or trash bags to protect your surface.
- Use painter’s tape to keep the shirt flat and still.
- Keep paper towels or old rags nearby to wipe up spills quickly.
Designate a Paint Zone
Keep kids seated or standing in one area during painting. Use phrases like “paint stays at the table” to set clear expectations and limit wandering hands.
Use a Paint Tray or Plate
Pour small amounts of paint into a shallow dish so kids can easily dip their hands. This avoids squeezing too much out of bottles (a classic mess-maker).
One Hand at a Time
If possible, paint one hand at a time. Let them press it on the shirt, then wipe or rinse before doing the next step. Less paint smearing, more control.
Have a Wet Wipe and Rinse Station Ready
Set up a bowl of soapy water, baby wipes, or a damp towel near the activity. Quick cleaning prevents kids from wiping paint on clothes, faces, or furniture.
Wear Smocks or Old Clothes
Even if paint is washable, a smock or oversized t-shirt can save your child’s actual clothes—bonus: fewer loads of laundry for you.
Drying Rack Ready
Have a safe, out-of-reach spot to lay shirts flat while they dry. This helps prevent smudging and accidental re-stamping.
Summer Learning Printable Activities
Check out these fun summer worksheets for the kids! Excellent to combat the summer slide!
More Crafting Fun
Fish Hand Print Shirt
Materials
- White or blue cotton shirt
- Newspaper
- Fabric paint
- Puffy paint
- Black Sharpie
- Googly eyes
- Hot glue gun
Instructions
- Lay shirt out flat with some newspaper or a piece of cardboard in the middle. We used an old shirt, but you might want to pre-wash yours if it’s new.
- Pour some paint on a paper plate and spread it out with a brush so your child doesn’t get a huge glob on their hands.
- Have your child push down their hand into the paint and then lay their hand on the shirt. Repeat with the other hand. As you can see, our paint got everywhere!
- When the paint is dry (about 1 hour), add stripes with puffy paint and googly eyes with a glue gun.Wear with pride!
What a cute idea. I have five grandchildren here and this would be a great project for a rainy day.