Thumbprint Ornament Ideas for Kids: Crafting Cherished Christmas Memories

THUMBPRINT ORNAMENT CRAFTS FOR LITTLE HANDS (AND BIG HEARTS)

The holidays are here—aka the time of year for twinkling lights, hot cocoa, and a whole lot of crafting. If you’re on the lookout for a simple but meaningful holiday activity that’ll keep your little ones busy while adding a personal touch to your decorations (or gifts!), look no further than fingerprint ornaments. This DIY project is the perfect combo of fun, creativity, and sentimental keepsakes. Plus, it’s a total win for the whole family—it’s easy, achievable, and totally memorable. So, let’s dive into how these thumbprint ornaments can become a Christmas tradition that’ll last for years!

WHY FINGERPRINT ORNAMENTS ARE THE BEST (AND MOST CUTE) HOLIDAY CRAFT

• It’s a no-stress project: No need to be a Pinterest pro—this craft is simple enough for kids of all ages to tackle with minimal help. Bonus points for messy fun!
• Personalized charm: Each fingerprint ornament is as unique as your child, adding a truly special touch to your tree or a gift for the grandparents.
• Keepsake magic: These little handprints are like time capsules. They’ll serve as sweet reminders of how tiny your kids once were (until next year, when they’ll be taller than the tree, of course).

HOW TO MAKE FINGERPRINT CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

Let’s get to the fun part! Gather your supplies and set up your little crafting station. You’ve got this.

MATERIALS:

• Store-bought ornament hand kit (or dough of your choice)
• Christmas tree cookie cutters (or any festive shape!)
• Acrylic paint (get those holiday colors—think reds, greens, golds)
• Ribbon (for hanging, of course)
• A drinking straw (for making the all-important hole)

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First, knead your dough or clay until it’s soft and ready to roll. Then flatten it out to about 1/4 inch thick—no need to measure, just eyeball it.
2. Use your Christmas tree cookie cutter (or whatever shape you love) to cut out your ornament base. Don’t stress about it being perfect—imperfections make it more special!
3. Grab your drinking straw and make a hole near the top of the ornament for the ribbon. (Otherwise, how will we hang these beauties?)
4. Now, here’s where the magic happens: invite your little ones to press their thumbs (or fingers, if they prefer) into the dough to make their very own fingerprints. It’s their own little imprint on Christmas history.
5. Let those ornaments dry completely. If you’re using air-dry clay, follow the drying time instructions to a T (otherwise, they’ll be a gooey mess!).
6. Once they’re dry, bust out the paint! Add little details like a snowman nose, reindeer antlers, or festive dots. Your kids will love adding their artistic flair.
7. Lastly, thread some ribbon through the hole and tie a cute knot to hang them on the tree. Voilà, your ornaments are ready to shine!

FINGERPRINT ORNAMENT IDEAS TO SPICE UP YOUR TREE

Now that you’ve got the basics, here are some fun ideas to make your ornaments extra festive (and a bit more creative):

• Santa’s Reindeer: Shape your dough into a reindeer, then use fingerprints as antlers. Don’t forget to paint on a big red nose!
• Frosty the Snowman: Cut out a snowman shape and use those little fingerprints to form the snowman’s body. Add a carrot nose (painted, of course) and buttons to finish it off.
• The Family Tree: Create a Christmas tree shape and have each family member add their own fingerprint as an ornament. Write their names or initials for a fun keepsake.

INCORPORATING FINGERPRINT ORNAMENTS INTO CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

These ornaments are more than just crafty fun—they can become a cherished part of your holiday traditions.

• Annual Tradition: Make it a yearly tradition to create a new fingerprint ornament every Christmas. Over the years, you’ll have a whole collection of “growth” captured on your tree.
• Perfect Gifts: Let your kids make some extras to give away. Grandparents, teachers, and family friends will cherish these little gifts from the heart.
• Tree Trimming Together: When it’s time to decorate the tree, make it a family affair by hanging your newly created fingerprint ornaments on the tree. It’s a perfect way to make memories while decking the halls.

A CHRISTMAS KEEPSAKE TO TREASURE

Fingerprint ornaments are the perfect mix of fun, simplicity, and sentimental value. Whether you’re making reindeer with antler prints, decorating snowmen, or capturing your kids’ growth with each year’s unique thumbprint, you’ll create keepsakes that can be treasured for years. So grab the dough, get your craft on, and let those little hands make memories this holiday season.

Happy crafting, merry memories, and a jolly Christmas to you and your crew!

Handprint Ornament Kit

Christmas Tree Cookie Cutters

Acrylic Paint

Red Ribbon