It’s the BEST way to spread some owl-tastic feelings to friends and family today! Whether for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or just because, our Handprint Owl Hug kid craft tutorial is sure to be loved by whoever receives it!

Help your child say hello and give someone a paper “hug” by recreating our wonderful handprint craft today! With the exclusive Glued To My Crafts printable you will find below, your child can make a one-of-a-kind piece that is perfect to gift to anyone, ANY time of the year. You could even slip the finished piece in a large manila envelope and mail it to someone far away.

When I originally had this craft in mind, I instantly thought of my husband who is currently deployed. A few years ago I shared a mail a hug tutorial on our site {what a throwback from 2013!} and it was pretty popular back then. After brainstorming, I was inspired to build on that particular idea and that’s how today’s post was born!

Similar to the post from before, you are going to take our template, measure your child’s arm span with some ribbon and add some paper handprints to the mix, to tie everything together. Before I give “too much” detail, you should just keep scrolling for the full tutorial below!

Happy crafting and gifting, my friends! Don’t forget to share those owl-tastic pictures of your child’s creations with me! #gluedtomycrafts

Paper Owl Hug Craft Supplies:

• Owl Hug Printable {page 1}
• Heart Shapes Printable {page 2}
• White Cardstock
• Color Printer
• Crayons, Colored Pencils and/or Markers
• Colored Cardstock {I went with purple!}
• Paper Craft Scissors
• Pretty Ribbon or Twine
• Hand-Held Office Stapler
• Glue Stick
• optional – scrapbook letter stickers/embellishments

Directions:

• First things first – download and print the FREE printables listed above. Print each on one sheet of white cardstock. You only need one of each, per craft. So one owl and one heart printable. Print as many as you like but please only use our files for personal use or in a classroom setting.
• Decorate the printables however you like with the crayons, markers, colored pencils etc. Let your creativity shine on this step!
• Once done, use scissors to trim out each piece in the two printables. Discard the excess paper and set aside pieces.
• Next up, grab the colored cardstock, a writing utensil and your scissors. Trace both of your hands on the paper.
• Trim out the traced handprints with the scissors. Discard excess paper.
• Now grab your ribbon. With help, measure your arm span with the ribbon. Cut it to length and then cut it in half so you have TWO pieces.
• Go ahead and now staple BOTH ribbon pieces on the small dots on the owl printable.
• Then take the paper handprints and staple them in place, on the ends of each ribbon piece.
• Now take the two heart cutouts and glue them to the palms of the paper handprints. Make sure the sayings are in the right order though. You should be able to read the saying, left to right “May This Hug Make You Feel Owl-Tastic!”
• And that’s it! Add other embellishments you see fit to your Paper Hugging Owl Friend before displaying and/or gifting proudly!

Make it your own:

Please don’t feel restricted by our tutorial. If you don’t want to do paper handprint cutouts, challenge your child to create their own wing shapes from cardstock and follow the tutorial from there.

If you don’t like our heart shapes – make your own! Grab stickers, paper heart doilies or just plain paper to give it that custom feel.

Also – don’t feel obligated to use ribbon either! The holes in the provided printable can be “hole punched” and you can use string or twine instead!

For crafty memories kids will enjoy making and gifting, check out our Free Keepsake Printable – You Are My Sunshine, Handprint “You Are The Real MVP” Keepsake and Ribbon Height Keepsake Ornament – Free Printable posts.

Don’t forget to also join our private Glued To My Crafts community on Facebook! We LOVE connecting with YOU!