How to Make Thumbprint Art Frames
Hold a crafts session with your kids to create colorful art projects with a truly personal touch. Use actual thumbprints as the base for whimsical designs to adorn frames, cards, tags and bookmarks that make heartfelt presents for friends and family.
Things You'll Need
- Ink pads
- Pre-cut foam or chipboard frames
- Cardstock or paper
- Fine-tip markers
Instructions
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Purchase a pre-cut foam, chipboard or paper frame. If it doesn't have a stand attached, add magnetic adhesive to the back to display it on a refrigerator or loop ribbon through the top to hang.
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Choose a type and color of ink. Consider a washable dye-based ink pad (like those made by Inkadinkado), especially if you're working with kids. Select colors to coordinate with the frame or the photo it will contain (see Resources).
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Roll your child's thumb onto the ink pad, then press directly onto the frame. If you'd prefer, create the thumbprint designs on a separate piece of cardstock or paper, then cut out your favorites to adhere to the frame.
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Use fine-tip colored markers to transform the thumbprints into characters and designs like flowers, insects, animals, faces and hearts. Add stripes, wings and a face to turn one into a bee, for instance.
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Personalize frames by having your child add his signature or a short note across the bottom or on the back.
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Tips & Warnings
Get more ideas for clever thumbprint art from the books, "Ed Emberley's Complete Funprint Drawing Book," "Ed Emberley's Fingerprint Drawing Book" and "Ed Emberley's Great Thumbprint Drawing Book" (see Resources).
Create thumbprint characters on other projects like handmade greeting cards, gift tags, bags or bookmarks.
Use crafts time as a learning time. As you make a spider character, for example, have your child count the legs or discuss fun facts about the insect.
