Inside: Make this cute handprint pirate craft for kids during summer or anytime you talk about the ocean!

Even though summer doesn’t officially start until the end of June, the real start date to us is the first day of summer break!

Once the kids are home, it’s go time! You have to be prepared with crafts, activities and outing ideas so the kids aren’t glue to the tv screen all day every day.

One of our favorite things to do at our house are  handprint crafts for kids.

So, why not combine summer and handprint crafts and create this adorable pirate?!

It’s super simple so read on below to see how to make it with your kids or students!

Pirate Theme Craft For Kids

Supplies

• Skin colored card stock
• .75″ googly eye
• Black card stock
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Glue stick
• Kid’s markers
• Pirate template (optional)

Directions

Download the pirate template and print out on white and black card stock. Cut out the pirate hat, eye patch and skull. Set aside for later.

Trace your child’s handprint onto your skin colored card stock and cut out.

Use the pencil to draw a curved line from one side of the hand to the other at the base of the fingers. Draw another curved line from the edge of the thumb to the opposite side of the hand.

The thumb area of the hand is the pirate’s bandana. Color this red or any color you want.

The finger area of the hand is the pirate’s beard. Color this brown or black.

Glue the skull on to the middle of the pirate hat, then glue the pirate hat on top of the bandana.

Glue the one googly eye below the bandana. Next to the goggly eye glue the pirate’s eye patch.

Use the black marker to draw the eye patch’s string from the edge of the face to the bandana line (as shown in the pictures).

Use a light pink marker to draw an oval nose for the pirate. Use the black marker to draw a mouth on the pirate.

This little pirate craft is such a fun idea to keep the kids engaged and off the screens over summer!

Like usual, we have included 2 different templates in the printable file. One template has all the pirate pieces on one page. This template is best suited for use with 1-2 kids.

The second template is for a daycare, church or school setting. The printables are grouped by the colored page they need to be printed on so kids will only need to cut out their shapes one time.

Handprint Pirate Craft Variations

The way we made this craft is the simplest, least messy way to make this craft. There are however, a few different ways you can customize this craft to make it unique!

First, you can use paint instead of markers for the bandana and beard. If you do this, you’ll want to be sure your paper is thick enough so it doesn’t curl and get damaged by the paint.

You can also replace the 3D googly eye with a drawn on eye. If you draw on the eye, you’ll be able to make your pirate look cute, angry, happy or sad!

Finally, you could glue small pom poms or curled paper onto the beard to give it a 3D appearance. To make the curled paper, simply cut out short, thin strips of paper, then curl them around a pencil or pen. Then, take the curled paper and glue it all over the pirate’s beard.

Customizing a simple craft like this one is one of our favorite ways to get kids’ creativity flowing! If you place a bunch of random crafting supplies in front of them once they’ve made the base pirate, you’ll be amazed by the combinations and creations they’ll make.

Besides making their pirate unique, customizing their craft will also lengthen the time it takes to create their pirate. This is great way to keep the kids busy longer on one activity during the summer!

Summer Ideas For Kids

• How To Make Easy Turtle Painted Rocks For Kids
• 3 Ingredient Easy Color Changing Slime
• Paper Shark Craft For Kids
• Upcycle Kids Boat Craft

More Pirate Ideas For Kids

Free Pirate Craft Template