Which baby handprint kit is best?
When you welcome a little bundle of joy into your life, it seems as if the camera snaps tens of thousands of times to capture every early moment of their life. Little hands indeed grow quickly, but if you’d like to remember how small they once were, try a baby handprint kit.
Baby handprint kits are made with nontoxic clay, plaster or ink. Because they’re mounted in nurseries or around the home, many kits come with frames, hooks, or mounting accessories. It’s a fun memory-making activity for parents and babies to enjoy together — including wrangling your little one to get a decent impression.
If you’re considering a baby handprint kit, take a look at our buying guide. We introduce you to the accessories and features of popular kits and share a few recommendations.
What to know before you buy a baby handprint kit
Types of baby handprint kids
- Clay: Clay handprint kits remain popular for their ease of use, particularly those with premixed clay. The clay is rather forgiving — if your baby’s impression isn’t to your liking, simply ball up the clay and roll it out again to start over. Once you get a decent impression, allow up to 48 hours of dry time for it to set.
- Plaster: Plaster handprint kits offer crisp, clear impressions of your baby’s hand. Unfortunately, plaster tends to have a messier impression process than clay, and little movements can affect the impression. On the upside, plaster dries within a matter of hours.
- Ink: Ink kits come with paper, ink, and a frame and remain a popular two-dimensional alternative to clay and plaster. While they’re affordable and dry quickly, you only have one or two pieces of paper, meaning you have limited opportunities to get the handprint just right. Inks in these kits are nontoxic and can be removed from fabrics or surfaces with dish soap and water.
What to look for in a quality baby handprint kit
Display options
Frame kits blend in nicely with other pictures and mementos around the home, but you need to make space for them on walls or tables. Easels are a good choice if you prefer a frameless display for your baby’s handprints, but they’re prone to damage since they’re not in a protective case. Ornament kits are popular if you intend to hang the handprints, either on the Christmas tree or around the home, though if they fall from a reasonable height, they may shatter.
Extras
Each baby handprint kit comes with a set of extras to help you personalize your print. Letter and number stamps allow you to print your baby’s name and birth date clearly. Some kits are packaged with additional materials for footprints. Others are designed for multiple handprints and come with the materials to cover impressions through months or years.
How much you can expect to spend on a baby handprint kit
Many single-impression clay and ink kits cost $10 and below. Better-quality sets for footprints as well as handprints run between $12 and $16. Kits that come with high-quality frames or easels cost between $20 and $40.
Baby handprint kit FAQ
Q. Can I use baby handprint kits for my pets?
A. Many people do, and some kits say whether they’re pet-safe. There are also dedicated paw print kits available, with ink kits remaining the most popular.
Q. Are there separate kits available just for baby footprints?
A. Yes, and these are often a bit more expensive than handprint kits because they require more materials to print a larger surface. These kits are hit and miss with parents, because it may be more challenging to get both feet in the right position for a decent impression.
What are the best baby handprint kits to buy?
Top baby handprint kit
MengNi 4-Pack Baby Inkless Hand and Footprint Kit
What you need to know: This kit allows you to create an ink handprint or footprint without your baby getting their hands or feet dirty.
What you’ll love: The kit is positioned in such a way that your baby’s hand never touches any ink. You can get a print just by putting pressure on your baby’s hand. Each kit comes with four imprint cards.
What you should consider: The kit does not come with a frame or display case.
Top baby handprint kit for money
Casting Keepsakes Luna Bean Baby Hand & Footprint Kit
What you need to know: This is a budget-friendly way to display clay handprints and footprints.
What you’ll love: This kit comes with two easels and ribbons and is packed with letter stamps for customized detail.
What you should consider: The clay dries incredibly fast, which may result in subpar impressions.
Worth checking out
Little Hippo Baby Handprint Kit
What you need to know: This charming frame fits two pictures and features a larger clay impression.
What you’ll love: It’s made with nontoxic clay and comes with mini tools. The frame has a high-quality look.
What you should consider: There are occasional reports of cracking clay once it dries.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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