Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Art · The activity desk
Hand-traced owl picture
Turn a hand outline into an owl sitting on a branch.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Paper and large child-appropriate crayons
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Place the paper on a stable table and ask whether your child wants their hand traced.
Adult's role: Trace gently only with the child's agreement. Help add features or offer to draw a hand shape instead.
Let's make it happen
- With permission, trace around a hand resting on the page, with fingers pointing down. Lift the hand away.
- Add two large eyes and a triangle beak inside the palm outline. Use the finger shapes as feathers.
- Draw a branch below the owl and add a moon, leaves or other details you choose.
Make it simpler: Draw a large oval owl without tracing a hand.
Clean up: Put paper and crayons away.
Never force a child to have their hand traced. Use intact crayons suitable for your child and stay nearby.