Baby Foot Prints
If you are the baby's parent or carer, foot prints are a wonderful way to capture precious memories.
Baby foot prints also make a thoughtful and creative present. Many parents (especially if they have a newborn), will be too tired to organise a hand or foot print themselves, but will probably be delighted that someone else is willing to take the prints at a suitable time.
Toddler Hand And Foot Prints
Toddlers will enjoy the messy aspect of this activity. Why not get them involved and let them choose the colour of the print? Go one step further and let them sprinkle glitter on the print while the paint is still wet. These strategies encourage cooperation from the toddler, which is vital for this activity.
Materials For Prints
- A5 card (include spares as the first attempt may not print the whole foot/hand)
- Baby friendly washable paint
- Paintbrush or sponge
- Newspaper
- baby wipes
- picture frame
Discuss this present beforehand with baby’s parents. While this does rule out the pleasure of watching someone open a ‘surprise’ present, they will be touched that you have put extra time and effort into the gift.
Where To Take The Prints
Why not offer to make the prints in your own home? This saves the parents the hassle of cleaning up, especially if there is a toddler involved.
It is a good idea to actually ask them if they would like this gift. One mum may be at ease with the possibility of washable paint all over her baby’s hands and feet; for another, the mess could be yet another stress that is not worth the trouble.
Most people will jump at the possibility, especially if they don’t have to gather together all the things needed.
If you can take the prints on a dry day, you can go outside and save yourself cleaning up inside.
When To Take Prints
Arrange a good time to take the prints well in advance. For baby prints, during feeding is probably the best time. Paint or sponge the baby's foot and take the print at whatever angle the foot is - don't try to stand the child on the prints as you could with a toddler.
Unique Wall Frieze
Baby and toddler prints are a simple but memorable way to mark a child's physical development. Prints can be taken at regular intervals - every six months for example. They will then make a unique wall frieze that will be treasured for years to come.
Harriet Morris - I started my career in education in 1995 as a secondary (high school) languages teacher, with a B.A. degree in French from Manchester ...
