Fingerprint Christmas painting for kids makes a fantastic gift for loved ones!
Yep. We are going on our third year making this fingerprint Christmas painting for kids, and it just never gets old. It’s a classic that has been done by so many!
The first year we gifted one grandma, the second year was for my in-laws, and this year we are sharing the fingerprint painting with our special GiGi!
I am not exaggerating when I say; This makes the best holiday gift for loved ones!
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When it comes to Christmas painting, my boys are all in!
There is just something about dipping chubby little fingers in paint that screams; yep. I’m so doing this. (no surprise there)
But there is also something about placing one finger at a time to make delicate holiday lights across a strand that screams, a steady hand, one at a time.
No joke. Your kids can make this without it becoming a crazy mess. If you want just a little more guidance along the way, read how we paint with kids.
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My three, five, and seven-year-old each had a turn at making a light strand.
I know, this sounds like a lot of little messy fingers. Keep reading. I will walk you through just how calm this all went down.
Before we begin to paint, I show my children a picture of the final product.
I want my boys to visualize what they are working on and understand that each light needs a little space from the other. They may even remember using dot stickers to make these holiday lights!
Taking the time to peek at the final product is an invaluable step for this holiday artwork!
Another important step is that I call over one boy at a time to the canvas.
We begin with a blank canvas on kraft paper.
I say, Here is the Christmas painting we are working on today. Let’s use our pointer finger to make each light.
I then put my pointer finger into the paint and dot the kraft paper to show how much paint is needed.
Next, I take my black marker and draw one light strand for the child I am working with to follow.
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As each child fingerprints a light, I watch from across the table, guiding them along when necessary to make sure the lights don’t begin to blend. If needed, we can revisit the main image to move us along.
I also use colors that mix well together, so the painting project still looks good when they get mixed. – Learned that pro tip after years of being in the classroom!
You’ll see we stick with this system for other painting activities we do, such as Fall Leaf Painting, Bubble Wrap Art, and Paint the Ice.
Here’s how I set this Christmas art for kids up:
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Supplies:
Kraft paper or something to put the canvas on as your child paints. I find the best roll of kraft paper at Home Depot in the painting aisle.
It’s time! Let’s get this fingerprinting started!
- Place a blank canvas on kraft paper.
- Squirt a few small amounts of paint to the right of your canvas. Remember, you want to pick colors that go together if mixed.
- Invite one child over at a time.
- Show your child what the completed art project looks like.
- Demonstrate how to make a painted light with your finger.
- Allow your child to watch you make the light strand that they will be following.
- Invite your child to begin picking colors and fingerprinting the lights!
- Repeat the steps for each child.
- Allow the painting to air dry.
- Add a tag and wrap it up!
The outcome is SO CUTE!
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Ready? Let’s do this and then get started on Holiday Sticker Cups.
All in favor of making this Christmas painting for kids, say I!
