Geckos are famous for being able to walk on walls. This craft uses the natural shape of a handprint to mimic those wide, suction-cup toes.

• The Build: Paint the hand a vibrant lime green or neon orange. Press it onto the paper with fingers spread very wide.
• The Detail: Use a Q-tip dipped in a darker color to put a “dot” on the tip of each finger. These represent the gecko’s sticky toe pads! Draw a long, thin, wiggly tail.

7. The Frilled Lizard (The “Sun Fan”)

This Australian reptile has a giant flap of skin around its neck that it opens when it’s surprised.

• The Build: Use two handprints painted bright red, orange, and yellow. Press them side-by-side with the heels of the palms touching and fingers pointing outward.
• The Detail: In the center where the palms meet, draw a lizard’s face looking straight forward. The handprints create the giant, colorful “frill” around its head!

8. The Desert Rattlesnake

This is a great craft for teaching kids about sound in nature.

• The Build: Paint the child’s hand brown or tan. Press it down in a “spiral” pattern (you may need to do 3-4 prints) to look like a coiled snake.
• The Detail: At the end of the tail, glue on a few dried beans or a small piece of bubble wrap. This represents the “rattle”! Draw a diamond pattern on the back with a marker.

9. The Long-Necked Brontosaurus (The “Gentle Reptile”)

Even though they are dinosaurs, they are part of the reptile family tree! This is a favorite for younger kids.

• The Build: Paint the hand and the entire arm (up to the elbow) green. Press the hand down (fingers spread) to be the body and legs.
• The Detail: The arm print becomes the long neck! Draw a small head at the top of the arm print. Add some “grass” at the bottom for the dinosaur to eat.

10. The Rainbow Iguana

Iguanas have beautiful, scaly skin that can look like a rainbow under the sun.

• The Build: Let the kids use a sponge to “dab” a rainbow of colors onto their hand before pressing it down.
• The Detail: Once the “rainbow” print is dry, use a green marker to draw “spikes” all the way down the back (the thumb and index finger side). Add a long, tapering tail.

Wrapping Up the Reptile Lesson

While the kids are washing the green paint off their hands, it’s the perfect time to review:

• Scales: Reptiles have dry, scaly skin (not slimy!).
• Eggs: Most reptiles lay eggs on land.
• Sun-Lovers: They need the sun to keep their bodies moving.