Tracing a grandkid’s hand and arm is a classic way to freeze time, and it makes for a hilarious, slightly long bookmark that’ll never get lost. It’s basically a paper hug for your favorite novel. Here’s how you pull off this craft without losing your mind—or getting marker on the carpet.
What You’ll Need
- Heavy Cardstock: Thick paper works best so the “arm” doesn’t go limp.
- A Willing (or Bribed) Child: The smaller the hand, the cuter the bookmark.
- Pencil & Markers: For the outline and the “bling.”
- Scissors: For the precision surgery.
- Optional: Contact paper or a laminator if you want it to survive a coffee spill.
The Step-by-Step Guide
1. The Strategic Setup
Place a long strip of cardstock on a flat surface. Position your kid’s hand at the very top of the paper with their forearm extending straight down the length of the strip. Tell them they’re a human statue. If they’re the wiggly type, tell them it’s a high-stakes mission for “The Grandpa Bureau of Investigation.”
2. The Trace
Gently trace around the fingers, the hand, and both sides of the arm. Don’t worry about perfection; a slightly lumpy thumb just adds “authentic character.” Use a pencil first so you can erase the inevitable “oops” when someone sneezes.
3. The “Surgery” (Cutting)
Follow the pencil lines carefully with your scissors. If the arm feels too thin, just widen the path a bit as you cut. You want enough “arm” to stick out of the top of the book so you can see that tiny hand waving at you from the shelf.
4. Add the Bling
Now comes the fun part. Let the kid go wild with markers.
- Draw a watch: Set it to “Cookie Time.”
- Add rings: Use glitter glue if you’re feeling brave.
- Tattoos: Draw a little anchor or a “Grandpa Rocks” heart on the forearm.
- Fingernails: Paint them with markers for a “just-back-from-the-spa” look.
5. The “Forever” Seal
Since paper likes to curl and kids’ art is precious, sandwich the finished arm between two pieces of clear contact paper. Trim around the edges, leaving a tiny clear border so it stays sealed.
The Result
You now have a bookmark that’s way more interesting than a folded-over corner or a random receipt. It’s functional, sentimental, and it doesn’t require batteries.