How to make handprint elephants

Did you manage to catch the The london Philharmonic Orchestra’s musical performance of Elephants In The Custard on YouTube? It’s based on children’s book ‘Elephants In The Custard’ by Samuel Langley-Swain and Jemma Banks. We were so inspired, that we decided to make our own herd of handprint elephants for some bookish play. They are so simple to make, and a lovely keepsake too.

How to make handprint elephants

These really are so easy to make and don’t require anything out of the ordinary, which is alway a bonus in my book.

You will need:

• Paper (1 A4 sheet should make 2 elephants)
• Grey paint
• Black felt tip pen
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue

Step 1

Make 2 grey handprints on 1 A4 sheet of paper. Repeat until you have enough to make a little elephant herd.

Step 2

Our handprints were a bit gappy, so we filled in the spaces with a paint brush and the remaining grey paint. Leave to dry.

Step 3

Next, draw out your elephant ears (1 per elephant) and colour in.

Step 4

Cut out your elephant ears. To make them flappy, stick the edge of the ear to your elephants head so they can be wiggled about.

Step 5

With a black felt tip pen, draw on your elephant’s eyes, mouth and tail. Let little ones be as creative as they like.

Step 6

Cut out and enjoy some bookish play with them!

Elephants In The Custard by Samuel Langley-Swain and Jemma Banks, published by Owlet Press is available from all good bookstores, including Waterstones and Amazon.

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