Invite your children to use their fingertips and thumbs to make Fingerprint Art Magnets. Fingerprint magnets are an easy craft idea that kids and adults can make. DIY glass magnets with fingerprint art are an easy homemade gift idea that kids can make for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Birthdays and Christmas.
Related: Beautiful Homemade Gifts Kids Can Make
Related: Four Season Handprint and Fingerprint Tree
Fingerprint Art Glass Magnet Supplies
Gather the following simple supplies to make thumbprint and fingerprint art glass magnets, or, turn your fingerprint art into fingerprint art necklaces!
- Paper (heavyweight printer or drawing – bright white is best)
- Fine tip permanent marker (black)
- Finger ink pads
- Extra large clear glass gems and clear glass cabochons ( These large clear 1 1/2 to 2-inch glass gems can sometimes be found at the dollar store but they are often smaller and not clear. Make sure there is no iridescent coating on them. Glass gems are also known as flat back marbles, table scatter, cabochons, or floral stones and can be found at most craft stores and at some floral shops.)
- Scissors
- Clear drying glue
- 1-inch ceramic magnets
Related: Hand Painted Candle Holder Gift Ideas
3 Easy Fingerprint and Thumbprint Art Ideas for Glass Magnets
First, invite children to create fingerprint art and thumbprint art using any of the ideas below.
Next, have the kids turn their fingerprint art into magnets using the step by step fingerprint magnet tutorial in the next section.
For even more handmade fun, invite your children to make fingerprint art necklaces and keychains too!
1. Fingerprint Art and Thumbprint Art Books for Kids
There are so many fun ways to create art with fingertips and thumbs to make magnets, necklaces, and keychains, too! Have your kids find inspiration to create their own fingerprint art using the ideas in the books below.
My daughter and I have had a wonderful time together trying the fingerprint art ideas in the books below, and, making fingerprint and thumbprint art using finger ink pads
We particularly enjoyed Ed Emberley’s Complete Funprint Drawing Book
My daughter also loved the Fingerprint Princesses and Fairies book.
2. Thumbprint Heart Glass Magnets
Have children use their thumbprints to make hearts. Next, turn them into thumbprint heart glass magnets.
Another fun idea is to make these easy thumbprint heart necklaces or thumbprint heart keychains!
Click on the links for the step by step tutorials.
Related: Easy DIY Photo Necklaces and Photo Keychain Charms
2. Fingerprint Flower Glass Magnets
Invite the kids to make fingerprint flowers with their fingertips to make homemade fingerprint flower marble magnets.
Another fun handmade gift idea you can make with fingerprint flower are fingerprint flower necklaces or keychains.
Click on the links for the directions to make either fingerprint craft idea.
Related: Handprint Jewelry Dish Kids Can Make
Fingerprint Art DIY Glass Magnets Video Tutorial
Step by step written directions for DIY glass magnets can be found below the video tutorial.
Related: Best Fingerprint Art Ideas for Kids
Fingerprint Magnets Step By Step Tutorial
Step 1 – Invite Children to Make Fingerprint Art and Thumbprint Art
Invite the kids to use their fingertips and thumbs to make fingerprint art and thumbprint art that can be used to make a magnet, necklace, or keychain!
Use fingerprint ink pads
Allow fingerprint art to dry before turning it into a fingerprint art magnet.
Step 2 – Glue the Fingerprint art and Thumbprint Art to the Glass Gem
- Place a drop of Mod Podge on the back (flat side) of the glass gem
and place it on the fingerprint art as shown in the video above.
- Allow the glue to dry overnight.
Step 3 – Cut Away the Remaining Paper Around the Glass Gem
- Use a pair of craft scissors
to trim and cut away paper around the glass gem with the fingerprint art. It doesn’t need to be perfect.
- If any paper lifts away from the glass gem
you can glue it down in the next step.
Step 4 – Glue the Magnet to the Glass Gem with the Fingerprint Art or Thumbprint Art
- Use a foam brush to paint clear drying glue on top of the paper on the back of the glass gem. Go over the edges of the paper to make sure it is completely glued down.
- Place a 1-inch ceramic magnet
into the glue and allow fingerprint art glass magnets to dry overnight.
Related: Christmas Fingerprint, Footprint, and Handprint Art Card Ideas
Related: Fingerprint Snowman Cards
Thumbprint Art Glass Magnets Gift Idea Kids Can Make
Fingerprint art magnets and necklaces make an easy homemade gift idea that kids can make for mom, dad, or grandparents.
For more handmade fun, check out this amazing collection of fingerprint art ideas for kids, and homemade gift ideas kids can make.
You may also like to try these thumbprint heart crafts, and these cute homemade keepsake crafts gift ideas.
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE.
If you Liked Fingerprint Art Magnets, You May Also Like:
- Four Season Handprint and Fingerprint Tree
- Books That Teach Kids Important Life Lessons
- The Best Art Supplies for Kids and Why Young Artists Should Use Them
- Christmas Fingerprint, Footprint, and Handprint Art Card Ideas
- DIY Photo Keychains
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Nell has over 20 years of experience working with children and is the founder of Rhythms of Play. She believes in the wonder of childhood, the power of the imagination, learning through play, and getting outside in all seasons! Learn more…
Rachel says
atI can’t find where to buy the glass gems. They are no longer available on your link to amazon
nell says
atOkay, thanks, Rachel. I will try to find a new link but they are selling out fast because this post is so popular! They can sometimes be found at the dollar store and can be purchased at most craft stores. They are called glass gems, flat back marbles, table scatter, or floral stones.
nell says
atI updated the link but you are right Rachel, they are selling out fast! I don’t know how long the new link I have provided will have stock left–act fast!
memaw says
atDollar Tree has them
Becky says
atWalmart carries them or Hobby Lobby.
Elizabeth says
atWhere did you purchase the clear gem glass? This is an adorable.
nell says
atHi Elizabeth! There is a link to purchase the glass gems otherwise known as flat back marbles in the supplies section above! You can also find them at the dollar store if you are lucky… but usually, they are smaller and not clear. They can also be found at craft stores and at some florists. They are also called table scatter or floral stones. I hope that helps!
Rose says
atWhat kind of paper was used to put thumbprints on?
nell says
atGood question, Rose!
Bright white heavyweight printer paper drawing paper or cardstock works great. Just make sure the ink dries before you glue the glass gem to the fingerprint art.
Mary says
atHola buenas tardes disculpa en donde podría comprar las burbujas de plástico o como se piden gracias están muy bonitas
nell says
atI’m sorry Mary, I do not understand what you have writen. Could you write it in English?
Peggy says
atStep 2 is confusing. It states to glue a magnet on top of the thumbprint art, is that right? I thought we glued the glass gem on top. Can you please explain ?
nell says
atI’m sorry Peggy! I just read it over and your right, it was totally confusing and shouldn’t have even been written in that step. I have edited it to fix it. I hope it makes more sense now. Please let me know if you are still confused. 🙂
Samal says
atHi,
I am an English teacher at KSTU and i live in Kazakhstan. Where can i get glass magnets?
Thank you for your post anyway!!!
Judy says
atIs it safe to use ink pads on kids fingers? Age 2 and 5 yrs. Want to make sure before I do it. Thank you, I love this project!!!
nell says
atYes, Judy! They are non-toxic and designed for little fingers and thumbs!
nell says
atHi Samal!
They are available at some dollar stores and most craft stores. Good luck!
Anna says
atI am working on making examples for my K art class and I am running into a problem. When I put a drop of clear glue on the bottom of the glass tile and then place the thumbprint art on it, the artwork sticks. However, the artwork looks smudgy/blotchy when I look at it through the glass (and I should add that the glass is unblemished). How do you prevent the dot of clear glue from messing up the kids’ thumbprint artwork?
nell says
atHi Anna!
Great questions. We have learned a few things that might help.
First, we have found that waiting until the ink is dry to the touch is a must or it will smudge when the glue is placed on top.
Second, we have only used and tested Mod Podge and are unsure about which other glues will and won’t work.
Third, a small drop goes a long way. Press it down firmly to spread the glue and remove air bubbles. Too much glue can cause it to smear!
Fourth, use a heavyweight bright white paper for best results. Thin paper can cause the ink to bleed.
Last, even when you follow all of these tips they will look a bit smeared and unclear until the glue (Mod Podge) dries.
I hope that helps!!
Jenny says
atHi! I’m excited to make the magnets! I’m wondering if anyone has a brand of magnets or has a link for them on Amazon. I have no stores nearby so will be ordering them, and I would love a recommendation! Thank you!
nell says
atHi Jenny! All of our recommendations to make fingerprint magnets, including the magnets themselves, can be found in the supplies section in the post. We provide Amazon links to make it easy 🙂
H.C. says
atHi – the link to buy the magnets is no longer valid. Can you provide another link? Thanks!
Nell Regan says
atThank you for letting me know! I have fixed the link to the magnets. We used 1-inch ceramic magnets for our fingerprint art.
Nell