Make Handprint Sunshine Cards as a Green Birthday Party Favor Alternative

Kids usually come home from birthday parties with a goodie bag filled with cheap plastic toys that get thrown away in a day or two. If you are looking for a green yet fun alternative to birthday party favors, consider offering this handprint sunshine card craft at your child's next birthday. The handprint sunshine card can be personalized for someone special and can be recycled at a later date.

These cards are also a great craft project to help you use up or recycle scrapbook paper supplies.

Supplied Needed for Handprint Sunshine Cards

Blue construction or scrapbook paper
Yellow construction or scrapbook paper
Reclaimed or recycled ribbon
Orange paint
Yellow paint
Silver sparkle paint (or glitter)
Dark blue marker
Black crayon
Orange crayon
Pencil
Plates to use as templates - one dinner plate and one dessert size plate
Glue
Regular scissors
Fun edged craft scissors
Hole punch
Wiggle eyes (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Handprint Sunshine Cards as Birthday Party Favors

1. Prepare the blue circles before the party starts to save time. Cut 1 blue circle for each party guest. Use the dinner plate as a template and use the pencil to draw the circle. Cut with regular scissors.

2. Trace the yellow circles using a dessert plate for a template and the pencil. Trace 1 for each party guest. Set aside so the children can cut the sun faces using fun edged craft scissors.

3. Pour orange paint onto a plate. Add a little bit of silver sparkle paint and mix well. Be sure to use enough paint for each child to make the necessary handprints.

4. Do the same with the yellow paint.

5. Dip each child's hand into the orange paint.

6. Place the child's hand firmly onto the blue paper, centered. Rotate the blue paper so that you have 4 orange hand prints.

7. Dip each child's hand into the yellow paint and repeat. Rotate so that the 4 yellow handprints slightly overlap the orange handprints.

8. Wash hands and plates!

9. Set aside the blue circles to dry.

10. Have each child cut out the yellow sunshine faces.

11. Use the black crayon to draw solid eyes, eyelashes, and a smile.

12. Use the orange crayon to draw a heart shaped nose.

13. Optional: If using wiggle eyes, apply a small amount of glue to the back of each eye and press firmly onto the solid black eyes. Now is a good time to let the children play games or do other birthday activities while the handprints continue to dry.

14. Apply glue to the back of the yellow sunshine face and press firmly onto the center of the blue circle. The handprints should resemble rays of sunshine!

15. Use the blue marker to write a message on the blue circle. Be sure to include the child's name and date.

16. Punch a hole at the top of the handprint sunshine card. Loop the reclaimed ribbon through the top and tie into a knot.

OPTION: If the handprints do not have enough time to dry during the party, have the children complete the sunshine faces before they leave. Then, you can distribute the assembled handprint sunshine party favors at a later time.