Kids will love making this handprint LOVE wooden box—an easy DIY gift idea that’s heartfelt, handmade, and perfect for any occasion like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day & more!
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Looking for a meaningful handmade gift that’s as beautiful as it is personal? This DIY farmhouse wooden box craft is a keepsake you’ll treasure forever. Featuring the word LOVE creatively formed using your child’s handprint as the “O” and fingerprints for the other letters, it’s the perfect blend of rustic charm and heartfelt sentiment.
Originally designed to hold flowers, this box can also double as a practical container for tools, treats, or small treasures—making it a thoughtful gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or just because. Mom, Dad, grandparents, teachers, and whoever is part of your child’s life will be touched to receive this special gift.
This craft holds a special place in my heart because I made one with my own kids, and it still sits proudly on my windowsill. Every time I do the dishes and glance over at it, I can’t help but smile. The tiny handprint that forms the “O” and the little fingerprints that make up the rest of the word LOVE are sweet reminders of just how little they once were. It’s more than just a DIY—it’s a memory I get to see every single day. I can’t wait for you to have one too!
If you love keepsake crafts like this, you might also enjoy our LOVE Handprint Apron Kit, which comes with a pre-printed apron and fabric paint so you can create an adorable, wearable memory at home.
Wooden Box Options
When it comes to choosing the perfect box for your handprint LOVE craft, there’s plenty of room for creativity! We used a rustic farmhouse-style wooden planter box that was already pre-stained, which gave it a warm, finished look right from the start. However, you can use any style of wooden box you prefer—whether it’s a natural unfinished crate or a craft store garden box! Thrift stores, dollar stores, and craft aisles often have budget-friendly options in all shapes and sizes.
Just make sure the surface is smooth enough for paint to stick and big enough to fit your child’s handprint and the other letters.
This is the one we used: Rustic Wooden Planter Box (comes in wood, white, gold, or black)
Handprint Crafts are Perfect, and Here’s Why!
There’s something truly special about keepsake handprint crafts. They capture a moment in time that can never be recreated—whether it’s your child’s tiny handprints forming the “O” in a DIY farmhouse box or their little fingers painting a masterpiece on a canvas. These projects are not just crafts; they’re cherished memories that make the perfect gifts or decor. If you love this handprint LOVE farmhouse box, you might also enjoy our handprint art ideas or explore more handprint craft supplies that will inspire your next DIY project. Whether it’s for a birthday, Mother’s Day, or just to remember the little moments, keepsake handprint crafts will always bring smiles for years to come.
Handprint LOVE Wooden Box
Supplies:
- Wooden Box (This is the one we used: Rustic Wooden Planter Box)
- White Acrylic Paint (Or use a different color to go with your box)
- Paintbrush (I like to use the wide brush for applying paint for handprint crafts)
- Pencil
- Optional: Clear Sealant to protect the paint-choose matte or shiny
Directions:
For your convenience, printable directions are available at the end of this post.
Pencil Marks
With your pencil, draw the letters L, V, and E. Make sure to leave a space for the handprint.
Handprint Time
Decide if you want to use the left hand or right hand. Then, using your paintbrush, cover your child’s hand with white paint. Carefully place their hand on the box. Use your fingers to gently press down and hold their hand in place to avoid wiggling fingers and to make sure every surface of their hand makes contact with the box.
Paint LOVE
Paint the letter L,V,E to make the word love. You can do this yourself or have your kids use paintbrushes or fingerprints. Since my older kids hands would not fit on the box, I had them use their fingertips to make the letters so it was made by all my kids, and extra special.
Clear Sealant (Optional)
Cover the box with a clear sealant to protect the paint through the years. Lightly spray one coat of sealant at a time, giving time in between for it to dry completely. I recommend 2-3 light coats of spray.
Now it’s ready to use.
Creative Ways to Use Your Handprint LOVE Wooden Box:
- Flower Planter – Fill it with real or faux flowers for a cheerful display in the kitchen, entryway, or porch.
- Utensil Holder – Use it to organize wooden spoons, spatulas, or silverware in the kitchen—perfect for Mother’s Day or a housewarming gift.
- Tool Caddy for Dad – Add a few handy tools, screws, or bits to make a thoughtful Father’s Day gift he can actually use.
- Desk Organizer – Fill it with pens, markers, or art supplies for a teacher or home office space.
- Memory Box – Store little keepsakes, cards, or photos inside for a sweet time capsule.
- Seasonal Decor – Swap out what’s inside for each season—mini pumpkins for fall, candy canes or pine for winter, or eggs for spring.
- Gift Basket Base – Use it as a unique base for gifting treats, baked goods, or self-care goodies.
- Bathroom Organizer – Roll up washcloths or store toiletries inside for a rustic bathroom touch.
- Snack Station – Load it up with granola bars, fruit snacks, or small treats for an after-school snack station.
- Craft Supply Holder – Perfect for storing paints, glue, and tiny craft bits if your little one has their own craft corner.
The first photo is of the flowers we put in our wooden box, the next photo is what AI and I came up with for other ideas.
Print the Directions
Handprint LOVE Wooden Box
Materials
- Wooden Box
- White Acrylic Paint (Or use a different color to go with your box)
- Paintbrush (I like to use the wide brush for applying paint for handprint crafts)
- Pencil
- Optional: Clear Sealant to protect the paint-choose matte or shiny
Instructions
- Pencil MarksWith your pencil, draw the letters L, V, and E. Make sure to leave a space for the handprint.
- Handprint TimeDecide if you want to use the left hand or right hand. Then, using your paintbrush, cover your child's hand with white paint. Carefully place their hand on the box. Use your fingers to gently press down and hold their hand in place to avoid wiggling fingers and to make sure every surface of their hand makes contact with the box.
- Paint LOVEPaint the letter L,V,E to make the word love. You can do this yourself or have your kids use paintbrushes or fingerprints. Since my older kids hands would not fit on the box, I had them use their fingertips to make the letters so it was made by all my kids, and extra special.
- Clear Sealant (Optional) Cover the box with a clear sealant to protect the paint through the years. Lightly spray one coat of sealant at a time, giving time in between for it to dry completely. I recommend 2-3 light coats of spray.
Notes
Creative Ways to Use Your Handprint LOVE Wooden Box:
- Flower Planter – Fill it with real or faux flowers for a cheerful display in the kitchen, entryway, or porch.
- Utensil Holder – Use it to organize wooden spoons, spatulas, or silverware in the kitchen—perfect for Mother’s Day or a housewarming gift.
- Tool Caddy for Dad – Add a few handy tools, screws, or bits to make a thoughtful Father’s Day gift he can actually use.
- Desk Organizer – Fill it with pens, markers, or art supplies for a teacher or home office space.
- Memory Box – Store little keepsakes, cards, or photos inside for a sweet time capsule.
- Seasonal Decor – Swap out what’s inside for each season—mini pumpkins for fall, candy canes or pine for winter, or eggs for spring.
- Gift Basket Base – Use it as a unique base for gifting treats, baked goods, or self-care goodies.
- Bathroom Organizer – Roll up washcloths or store toiletries inside for a rustic bathroom touch.
- Snack Station – Load it up with granola bars, fruit snacks, or small treats for an after-school snack station.
- Craft Supply Holder – Perfect for storing paints, glue, and tiny craft bits if your little one has their own craft corner.