Before you get started you will need to find a poem that you can put place the baby hands on. There are a lot of poems available on the internet that you can borrow. Be sure to read any disclaimer or copyright information that is posted along side the poem that you choose. I always recommend that you contact the author (if possible) to make sure that it is okay to use the poem they created.

Most of the time they are only glad that someone likes their poem. They might even have more poems that you can use for additional keepsake ideas that you might have.

If you haven't got the time to look around for a poem to use then here is one that you can print:

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls

But every day I'm growing
I'll be grown some day
And all those tiny handprints
Will surely fade away

So here's a little handprint
Just so you can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small

-- Put a date here --
Love, -- put child's name here --

Be sure to print out a few copies in case the first handprint isn't perfect.

The other ingredients that you will need is: Your child in play clothing (obviously), a small photo (not necessary), water based paint (or finger paint), a bowl or similar to hold the paint, a sponge or a brush to apply the paint to your child's hand, paper towels to easily clean up your child's hands afterwards.

Now you apply the paint to your baby's hand and place the hand on the paper with the poem at the exact place that you want it to appear. It might take several tries before you get it right so be sure to bring your patience.

When you have finally made a baby handprint poem that you like be sure to clean the hands (and the rest) of your baby before moving on to anything else. Otherwise you might end up getting paint all over the place.

Now you'll have to wait for the paint to dry and if you want to you can glue a little picture of the baby to the handprint poem. To add a final touch you can frame it to make it last for years to come. Be sure to add the baby's name and the date to the handprint poem before you frame it.