A Tiny Footprint Craft That Stole the Show (and Our Hearts)
Okay, I’ll be honest… the idea of black paint and a toddler made me slightly nervous. But I had this vision in my head—a big footprint artwork on natural canvas, something bold and minimal that would look perfect in our “new” home later this year.
Spoiler alert: it worked. And it was not only successful, it turned out to be one of the most fun (and funny) crafts we’ve done together.

I’ve also added a few practical tips to help prep your toddler before you bring out the paint—because a little preparation goes a long way (especially with tiny feet).
Let me walk you through how we did it (with minimal chaos), plus some answers to common questions in case you want to try this yourself!
What We Used
- A large unbleached canvas cloth (ours was originally 1m x 1.80m)
- Black acrylic paint (or fabric paint)
- An old soft makeup brush (for painting those tiny feet!)
- Garbage bags (for under the canvas)
- A plastic bowl with warm water for washing
- A simple wooden frame (ours was 60 x 90 cm) (roughly 24 x 35 inches) + white paper backing (there was no white border in the frame itself, so we placed the canvas on the included white paper)
- Double-sided tape (to stick the canvas on the paper
- A toddler with some sense of adventure
How We Made This Footprint Craft – Step by Step
- Prepping the scene
We went outside, because… paint + toddler. I laid out some garbage bags and placed the cut canvas right on top. - Set the stage
I sat Lily on a little stool and used a super soft makeup brush to gently paint her feet. I told her we had a secret project and were going to do something very cool with black paint. That helped a lot! I explained step-by-step what would happen and made it sound super exciting. - The first walk
I lifted her up and held her hands while we walked together over the canvas. Tiny footprints, one by one. And guess what? The first try was perfect!
- Extra takes just for fun
Since I had 3 pieces of canvas ready (just in case), we did one more for backup. Lily was SO into it that she wanted a third try, but I decided to save that canvas piece for another DIY.
- The post-footprint spa
We had a little bowl of warm water ready to wash her feet… but Lily had bigger plans. She stepped right in, sat down, and basically had her own spa moment right there in the garden. It was a warm day, so she had the time of her life.
- Framing the magic
After it dried, I placed the artwork on the white paper that came in our wooden frame. I left 4cm at the top and 6cm at the bottom and 3cm on the sides, then used a bit of double-sided tape to stick the canvas in place.
Toddler Prep Tips (Trust Me on These)
- Make it sound like a secret mission: I told Lily we were doing something special and artsy with black paint—and she was immediately intrigued.
- Be very clear: Toddlers love to know what’s happening. I explained that I was going to paint her feet, we’d walk together on the canvas, and afterward she could splash around in a little foot bath.
- Let them see the setup: Showing them the canvas and water beforehand can help them feel more involved.
- Expect some protest: Even excited toddlers can change their minds. Stay calm, keep it fun, and let them lead where possible.
Why We Loved This
It wasn’t just a keepsake—it was an actual memory. We had so many giggles (especially when Lily plopped herself into the bowl), and now we have a beautiful, simple piece that we’ll hang on the wall and remember forever.
Would I do this again? Absolutely. Maybe with a different color next time. Or both feet AND hands. Or maybe… no, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. 😅
FAQ: Footprint Craft Edition
Can I do this indoors?
Yes, but be sure to put down a waterproof layer and choose a washable area. Outside is less stressful if you’re worried about mess.
What kind of paint should I use?
Acrylic paint works well, but fabric paint is also a good option if you want the print to last on textile.
How old should my child be?
This works best with toddlers who can walk steadily (around age 1.5+), but with help, even younger ones can do it.
What if the first print doesn’t turn out?
Have backup canvas ready. I had three pieces prepped—and we ended up loving the very first one!
Can I frame it right away?
Let the paint dry completely first. Then position the canvas on the paper backing and secure with double-sided tape.
Let me know if you try this! And if you’ve ever handed black paint to a toddler and survived, I salute you.
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