Handprint Bald Eagle Craft

This handprint bald eagle craft is one of those easy preschool crafts that works for almost any theme. Patriotic units, bird studies, fine motor practice, American symbols. Whatever you are covering, this one fits.

Kids ages 3 to 7 trace both hands to create the eagle’s wings, then cut, glue, and assemble the rest from colored cardstock. The result looks impressive, but the process is simple enough for preschoolers to follow with light adult help on the glue gun.

Start to finish, plan for about 30 minutes. Grab the supply list below and let’s get started.

Handprint Bald Eagle Craft

A handprint bald eagle craft is a simple preschool bird activity made with cardstock, handprint wings, and basic craft supplies. This patriotic craft helps preschoolers practice fine motor skills, cutting, and creative expression while making an eagle using their own handprints.

Supplies Needed for This Handprint Bald Eagle Craft

Before you get started, gather these supplies:

• Colored cardstock or construction paper
• Wiggle eyes
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Crayola Bold & Bright markers
• Printable eagle template (click the “click here” button at the end of the post)

How to Make a Handprint Bald Eagle Craft

Step 1: Prepare Your Pieces

Print and cut out the eagle template. Using a pencil, trace the head and tail feathers onto white cardstock, the beak and talons onto golden yellow cardstock, and the body onto brown cardstock. Trace both hands onto brown cardstock for the wings.

Step 2: Cut Out All Pieces

Cut out each piece with scissors. Cut just inside the traced lines for a clean, finished edge.

Step 3: Assemble the Body

Using a glue gun, attach the head to the top front of the body. Glue the tail feathers to the bottom back of the body.

Step 4: Add the Wings

Glue one handprint wing to each side of the body, positioning them so the fingers spread outward like a soaring eagle.

Step 5: Add the Beak and Talons

Glue the beak onto the front of the head. Glue the talons to the bottom of the body.

Step 6: Attach the Eyes

Press two wiggle eyes onto the eagle’s face with glue. If using liquid craft glue, allow extra drying time before moving the finished craft.

Step 7: Finish with the Nostrils

Use a black permanent marker to draw two small nostrils on the top of the beak. Your handprint bald eagle is complete.

Ways to Use This Eagle Craft

This eagle looks great once it is finished, and there are plenty of places to put it to work.

Classroom decorations. Line a windowsill or hallway with a full class set for an eye-catching patriotic display.

Patriotic bulletin boards. Display it alongside other American symbols for a Fourth of July, Veterans Day, or Presidents Day board.

Homeschool displays. Add it to a nature or bird unit wall to give kids a visual reminder of what they have been learning.

Extend the Learning

This craft pairs well with a broader unit on birds, nature, or American symbols. Here are a few simple ways to keep the learning going.

Read Books About Eagles

Pull one of these titles before or after the craft to build vocabulary and background knowledge:

• The Eagles Are Back by Jean Craighead George
• The Nature Kid’s Guide to Bald Eagles by David Anderson

Learn About American Symbols

Use the finished eagle as a jumping-off point for a short conversation about American symbols. Talk about what makes the bald eagle the national bird, why the U.S. flag looks the way it does, and what patriotic holidays your family or class celebrates throughout the year.

Compare Birds

Lay out a few bird photos and ask kids to compare what they notice. Feathers, wings, beaks, and habitats are all great starting points. Preschoolers can sort birds by size, color, or where they live, turning a simple craft day into a full science discussion.

Grab Your Free Eagle Template

Ready to make your own handprint bald eagle? Grab the free printable template below and get started today. All the shapes are included so you can skip the freehand tracing and get straight to the fun.