As a new mom, one of the things I’ve been looking forward to most is making holiday crafts with my baby girl.
At three months old, though, there isn’t much she can actually make yet. Most of the crafting is really just me borrowing her tiny hands (or in this case, her tiny feet).
When I came across this adorable American flag footprint craft online, I knew I had to try it. It’s simple, inexpensive, and makes such a sweet keepsake to bring out every Fourth of July. Even years from now, I think it’ll be special to look back and remember just how tiny her little feet once were.
Here’s everything you’ll need to make one yourself!
Ingredients for 1 Footprint American Flag Keepsake Craft
- 1 Baby
- Red, Blue, and White Paint
- 1 brush for painting baby’s foot
- 1 thick larger brush the size of the stripe you want
- 1 small detail brush for the stars
- 1 paint pallet
- 1 piece of cardstock paper
- 1 frame for displaying
Instructions
1. Set-Up
Gather everything you’ll need before you start—especially a well-fed, well-rested baby who doesn’t mind having a little paint on their foot! We found it easiest to have all of the paint poured out and the paper ready before bringing our baby girl over.
2. Paint Baby’s Foot
I was expecting this to be the hardest part, but our baby didn’t seem to mind at all! If anything, she seemed more curious than bothered. We held her the entire time to keep things as mess-free as possible and washed her little foot off as soon as we finished the print.
3. Stamp Footprint Onto Cardstock
We tried two different methods. First, we held our baby while bringing the cardstock up to her foot. Then we tried laying the paper on the floor and gently pressing her foot down onto it.
The second method was definitely easier and gave us a cleaner print, but either approach works depending on what feels most comfortable.
4. Paint Stripes
Once you’ve captured the footprint, the rest of the project can wait until baby’s nap time!
Using a wide brush, paint the red stripes around the footprint to create the flag. I kept the sample photo that came inside my picture frame nearby so I could use it as a guide for the finished size.
5. Paint Stars
After the paint has dried completely, use a small detail brush to add white stars across the blue footprint.
Don’t worry if the stars aren’t perfectly shaped. Tiny imperfections are part of the charm, and from a few feet away they look wonderful. If painting stars feels a little intimidating, small white dots look just as perfect!
6. Frame/Display It!
Once everything has dried, place your artwork in a frame and don’t forget to write your baby’s name and the year on it!
It’s such a simple craft, but I have a feeling it’ll become one of those decorations we look forward to hanging up every summer.
Hope you enjoy!
