Every parent has heard the age-old advice to savor every moment when your child is still a baby. It really is so important to hang on to as many memories as you can and document along the way to avoid looking back and feeling like the baby years flashed before your eyes. Choose from one of our favorite options below to create baby footprint and handprint art as a memory you’ll cherish forever.
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7 Best Paints for Baby Handprints & Footprints (2025 Reviews)
Best Paints for Baby Handprints & Footprints
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1. Veggie Baby Finger Paints
(Best plant based paints — $$$)
Why it’s great: The Veggie Baby finger paints are a great option for babies of many ages because they are made from plant-based and even edible ingredients. These paints come in a powder form and simply need to be mixed with water to create colorful finger paints that you can use to document your baby’s handprints and footprints on a canvas.
Keep in mind: These paints are recommended for babies over the age of 6 months.
Good for: Babies who tend to put their fingers in their mouths.
![Veggie Baby Finger Paints]()
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2. ReignDrop Ink Pad
(Best ink pad — $)
Why it’s great: The ReignDrop Ink Pad offers a different approach to handprint and footprint art. As an ink pad, you can bypass messy paints altogether and simply press your baby’s hands and feet into the pad and then onto your canvas. This ink pad is available in a variety of different colors, so you can choose whichever suites your project the best.
Keep in mind: The ink pad may dry up a bit after your initial use.
Good for: Quick and easy footprint and handprint art.
![ReignDrop Ink Pad]()
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3. Pearhead Newborn Clean Touch
(Best for newborns — $)
Why it’s great: This clean-touch ink pad is ideal to use for newborn handprints and footprints because it isn’t nearly as messy as using actual paint. This affordable kit comes with one ink pad and two impression cards to keep a simple documentation of your baby’s prints.
Keep in mind: This ink pad only comes with two cards for imprints, but you can always use your own paper as well.
Good for: A mess free solution to footprint/handprint art.
![Pearhead Newborn Clean Touch]()
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4. NWK DIY Family Handprint/Footprint Kit
(Most all inclusive — $$$)
Why it’s great: The NWK DIY kit includes everything you need to create a keepsake for your family to cherish forever. This kit includes washable paints, a frame, and an ink pad. You can document your baby’s prints and add them to the frame with a family photo. This kit is also a great gift for families and expecting parents.
Keep in mind: Give the handprints at least 45 minutes to dry before placing it in the frame to avoid smudging.
Good for: Creating the perfect DIY handprint display.
![NWK DIY Family Handprint/Footprint Kit]()
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5. Happlee Washable Finger Paint
(Best for toddlers — $$)
Why it’s great: These washable finger paints are nontoxic and offer a safe option for documenting your baby or toddler’s fingerprints. With twelve bright colors to choose from this finger paint set offers a fun and creative activity for your baby or toddler, in addition to being a great way to create handprint and footprint art.
Keep in mind: It is not recommended to let children under the age of 3 years play with this paint unattended.
Good for: Offering a fun activity for toddlers and young children.
![Happlee Washable Finger Paint]()
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6. Petite Children’s Earth Paint
(Most natural — $$)
Why it’s great: The Petite Children’s Earth Paint is a great option for anyone who wants a paint that is entirely natural. This paint is derived from plant-based ingredients so it makes the perfect paint to use to document baby footprints and handprints because you won’t have to worry about exposing your baby to harmful chemicals. This set also includes a bamboo paint brush for older kids who want to practice painting on their own.
Keep in mind: This set includes six different colors.
Good for: A naturally derived paint option.
![Petite Children’s Earth Paint]()
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7. Ultimate Baby Handprint Footprint Kit
(Best DIY project — $$$)
Why it’s great: The Ultimate Baby Handprint kit is the perfect DIY set for parents who want to create a sweet memento to place in the baby’s nursery. This kit includes a frame, ink pad, and letter stamp so that you can create a personalized memory with your baby’s name or birth date. The frame also includes space to add a photo of your baby, so this makes a great gift for expecting parents as well.
Keep in mind: This ink pad is only available in the color black.
Good for: Creating a personalized decoration for your baby’s room.
![Ultimate Baby Handprint Footprint Kit]()
Best Overall
Veggie Baby Finger Paints
The Veggie Baby Finger Paints is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
FAQs about Paints for Baby Handprints
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1. What is the best paint to use for baby footprints?
There are a couple of different options when it comes to picking paint to use for your baby’s handprints and footprints. You’ll definitely want to look for paint that is non-toxic and natural. Some paints are plant-based and even edible so if your baby is at an age where they constantly stick their hands in their mouth, you’ll definitely want to get one of these paints. Some parents opt to use an ink pad because they are a little less messy than actual paint. This is a great option for younger babies since it makes clean up a bit easier.
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2. How do you make baby handprints and footprints?
You can choose a couple of different options to record your baby’s handprints and footprints. Some parents choose to use paint to record their baby’s prints on a sheet of paper and then frame it, while some even use a clay material to record an imprint of their baby’s hands and feet. You can also purchase a DIY kit that will include everything you need to create a framed piece of artwork made up of your baby’s prints.
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3. What paint is safe for babies?
If you purchase a paint or ink pad that is designed to be used with babies, you’ll want to check to make sure that it is labeled as nontoxic and safety certified. Most paints that are made for babies to use will have safety certifications ensuring that they will not harm your baby when brought into contact with their skin. Most paints you’ll want to wash off promptly and ensure that your baby does not get the paint in their mouth. However, you can also opt for plant-based paint that is even safe for ingestion.
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4. Why purchase paint to record baby handprints and footprints?
Getting an imprint of your baby’s tiny hands and feet is something you are unlikely to regret because you will always have a sweet reminder of when your baby was tiny (and trust me, they grow up fast). Using paint or an ink pad to document your baby’s prints can be something you store away to look back on or frame and display in your home. The possibilities are endless and these types of items make a great gift for expecting parents as well.
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5. Are DIY baby handprint sets worth it?
When shopping for paint for baby handprints, you’ll likely come across some DIY kits. DIY kits are a great way to record your baby’s prints and keep them to look back on for many years. The DIY set is a great way to get everything you need to create a decorative piece of art for your home or your baby’s nursery. Sets make it easier if you’re wanting to frame your baby’s prints and add a photo of your baby because they include everything you need, taking away the need to go out and buy multiple items. These sets also make great gifts for families and expecting parents.
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6. How do clean touch ink pads work?
A clean touch ink pad is a great option if you want to avoid getting any ink on your baby whatsoever. These pads are double-sided, simply turn the pad over so that the ink facing side is over your paper, and press your baby’s foot or hand on the other side. This causes the ink to press onto the paper, without your baby ever having to touch the actual ink.
Conclusion
Using paint or ink to record the shape and size of your young baby’s handprints and footprints is never a bad idea. As a memory that you can always look back on and a way to create beautiful and memorable art for your home, you really can’t go wrong. Choose from a couple of different options when it comes to recording your baby’s prints, from ink pads to paints to all-inclusive sets, there is an option for anyone. You could even opt for a plant-based paint option and keep it on hand to use later on when your child gets older and wants to do more art projects at home. Most parents will tell you that your baby grows up fast, and they’re not kidding. Finding little ways to hang on to memories can help make it easier to look back and remember these special times!
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