The Kissing Hand Craft: Easy Chester Raccoon Handprint Art for Back to School
If you’ve ever read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, you know why it’s become such a back-to-school classic. Chester Raccoon is nervous about starting school, and his mom gives him a simple reminder that her love goes with him wherever he goes. This easy The Kissing Hand craft is the perfect activity to do after reading the story. It uses your child’s own handprints to create an adorable raccoon face.
Supplies:
White cardstock or construction paper
Gray paint: We use this paint for everything and love it! Bought it 4 years ago and it’s still going strong.
Black construction paper
Pink construction paper (for the nose)
2 large googly eyes
Paintbrush or foam brush
Scissors
Glue
We also love keeping these Art Smocks on hand to keep clothes from getting stained!
How to Make the Chester Raccoon Craft
Step 1: Create the Raccoons Face
Fold a piece of white cardstock or construction paper in half. Open it back up and squeeze or brush a few blobs of gray paint onto one side of the paper. Fold the paper in half again and gently press it closed with your hands. Open it up to reveal a unique, symmetrical raccoon face! Set it aside to dry completely.
Step 2: Trace the Handprints
While the paint dries, trace both of your child’s hands onto black construction paper and cut them out.
Step 3: Create the Ears
Cut two triangle ears from black construction paper.
Step 4: Make the Nose
Cut a small heart from pink construction paper for the raccoon’s nose.
Step 5: Put Together the Face
Glue the handprints onto the painted face with the thumbs pointing inward to create the raccoon’s signature eye mask.
Glue the googly eyes onto the handprints.
Attach the ears to the top corners of the raccoon’s head and glue the pink heart nose in the center. Draw two little hooks below the nose for some character.
Your little raccoon is ready!
Keep the Story Going!
While creating your craft, ask your child the following questions:
Why was Chester feeling nervous?
Has there ever been something new that felt a little scary?
What helped Chester feel brave?
Who helps you feel safe and loved?
What can you remember when you start to miss home?
Start your own Kissing Hand tradition. Before school, preschool, daycare, or any new adventure, kiss the palm of your child’s hand (or draw a tiny heart in it) as a reminder that your love goes with them wherever they go.
More Kissing Hand Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten
If your kids loved the Chester raccoon craft, here are a few more easy Kissing Hand activities we do the same week:
Heart handprint keepsake: paint your child’s palm, press it onto cardstock, and draw a small heart in the center of the print, just like Chester’s mom. Write the date on the back and tuck it in their backpack on the first day.
Kissing Hand snack: hand shaped sugar cookies or a sandwich cut with a hand cookie cutter, with a heart shaped strawberry or a candy heart in the middle of the palm.
Raccoon mask: cut eye holes in a paper plate, paint it gray, and add the black handprint mask from this craft so kids can act out the story.
Feelings talk: after reading, have each child name one thing they are nervous about and one thing they are excited about for school. Write them on a paper heart and hang them on the fridge.
Kissing Hand Craft FAQ
What age is the Kissing Hand craft for?
It works for ages 2 to 7. Toddlers need help with the tracing and cutting but love the squish painting step. Preschool and kindergarten kids can do almost all of it on their own.
Can I do this Chester raccoon craft without paint?
Yes. Use a gray paper plate or gray construction paper for the face, or let kids color a white paper plate with gray crayon. The black handprint mask is what makes it look like Chester, so that part stays the same.
How long does the Kissing Hand craft take?
About 20 minutes of hands on time, plus 15 to 20 minutes for the paint to dry. Read the book while the face dries and the timing works out perfectly.
We hope you love this craft as much as we did!
XO -Threads Between
Getting ready for the first day? We have more back-to-school favorites to share, from our go-to back-to-school books for kids to easy school lunch ideas and thoughtful gifts for teachers.
