Henna Scratch Art

Supplies:

• Scratch art sheets (one per child)

• Wooden scratch stylus or blunt toothpick

• Pencil (for tracing outline)

• Hand template (optional for younger children)

• Damp cloth for cleanup

Steps:

1. Give each child a sheet of scratch art paper and a pencil.

2. Ask them to place one hand flat on the sheet and lightly trace around it.

3. Using the wooden stylus, carefully scratch along the pencil lines to reveal the bright colours underneath.

4. Inside the hand outline, encourage children to add patterns inspired by henna designs – think swirls, dots, flowers, and geometric shapes.

5. Once complete, children can add borders or extra details around their design.

Other Information:

• Talk about how henna (mehndi) is used during Diwali and other celebrations.

• Encourage symmetry and pattern repetition for older children, and free design for younger ones.

• These make beautiful wall displays when done on black or rainbow scratch paper.