Fingerprint magnets are an easy craft and gift idea that kids can make.
Fingerprint art magnets are a fun handmade gift that kids can make for Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or a Birthday! Invite children to use their fingertips and thumbs to make these quick and easy fingerprint art magnets at home or in the classroom with the step-by-step tutorials below.
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Related: Four Season Handprint and Fingerprint Tree
Fingerprint Art Glass Magnet Supplies
DIY glass magnets with fingerprint art are an easy craft and homemade gift idea that kids can make!
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 – We think bright white cardstock works great!)
- Fine tip permanent marker (black)
- Finger ink pads
- Extra-large clear glass gems ( 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 some floral shops.)
- Scissors
- Clear drying glue
- 1-inch ceramic magnets
Related: Spider Magnet Craft (use the same glass gems to make these cute spider magnets!)
Related: Hand Painted Candle Holder Gift Ideas
3 Easy Fingerprint and Thumbprint Art Ideas for Glass Magnets
Invite your children to use their fingertips and thumbs to make these quick and easy fingerprint art magnets. DIY glass magnets with fingerprint art are an easy homemade gift idea that kids can make!
First, invite children to create fingerprint and thumbprint art using any ideas from the list below. Next, have the kids turn their fingerprint art into magnets using the step-by-step fingerprint magnet tutorial in the next section.
Invite your children to make fingerprint art necklaces and keychains for even more handmade fun!
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! Have your kids find inspiration to create their fingerprint art, or get one of the fingerprint art books listed below.
My daughter and I have had a wonderful time making fingerprint and thumbprint art using finger ink pads and a black permanent marker with a fine tip.
We tried a few fingerprint art books listed and particularly enjoyed Ed Emberley’s Complete Funprint Drawing Book. It contains two of his most popular fingerprint art and thumbprint art books combined into one complete fingerprint art book for kids!
My daughter also loved the Fingerprint Princesses and Fairies book.
2. Thumbprint Heart Glass Magnets
Have children use their thumbprints to make hearts, and 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 kids from toddlers to teens can make with a fingerprint flower is 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
You can find the step-by-step written directions for DIY glass magnets directly below this 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, to make a magnet, necklace, or keychain!
Use fingerprint ink pads and any easy fingerprint art ideas listed above, and then make them into fingerprint magnets with the simple step-by-step directions below.
Allow the 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 glue it down 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, 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 fantastic collection of fingerprint art ideas 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.
I can’t find where to buy the glass gems. They are no longer available on your link to amazon
Okay, 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.
Hi there! I have 2 questions: 1. it says we need extra-large clear glass gems AND clear glass cabochons. Is this the same thing? Are either/or ok to use? 2. Is the Mod Podge what you use to secure the glass to the paper AND also what you use to secure the magnet?
Thank you!
Hi Rachel, good questions… Sorry for not making the instructions clear enough to understand.
1. Yes, clear glass gems and clear glass cabochons can both be used and are basically the same thing. Glass gems are not perfectly shaped while cabochons are usually made into perfect oval and circular shapes. We used the large glass gems to make the fingerprint magnets pictured in this post, and glass cabochons that came with silver trays to make fingerprint necklaces. Glass gems are also called flat-backed marbles, flat-backed floral stones, or flat-backed table scatter. I hope that helps!
2. Yes, we used Mod Podge both to secure the glass gem to the paper and, painted it onto the back of the paper to attach the magnet. I have heard from other readers that they have had just as much success with white PVC glue, but have not tried it myself.
Happy fingerprint magnet crafting!!
Nell
I 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!
Dollar Tree has them
Walmart carries them or Hobby Lobby.
Where did you purchase the clear gem glass? This is an adorable.
Hi 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!
What kind of paper was used to put thumbprints on?
Good 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.
Hola buenas tardes disculpa en donde podría comprar las burbujas de plástico o como se piden gracias están muy bonitas
I’m sorry Mary, I do not understand what you have writen. Could you write it in English?
Step 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 ?
I’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. 🙂
Hi,
I am an English teacher at KSTU and i live in Kazakhstan. Where can i get glass magnets?
Thank you for your post anyway!!!
Is 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!!!
Yes, Judy! They are non-toxic and designed for little fingers and thumbs!
Hi Samal!
They are available at some dollar stores and most craft stores. Good luck!
I 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?
Hi 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!!
Hi! 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!
Hi 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 🙂
Hi – the link to buy the magnets is no longer valid. Can you provide another link? Thanks!
Thank you for letting me know! I have fixed the link to the magnets. We used 1-inch ceramic magnets for our fingerprint art.
Nell
hi, this craft was AWSOME and worked so well! I was just looking for a Christmas present for my parents and then i saw this and i wanted to do it but it looked so hard but then i tried it and realized that it was not hard and was super fun and looks amazing!
Hi Chloe! I’m so glad that you decided to give this fingerprint magnet craft a try, and I’m so glad that you found it easy! I agree, they look amazing and like they take a lot more effort to make than they actually do. I hope your parents loved them!
Nell
I just made a few to test out with the exact supplies you suggested. The next day when I cut them away from the paper the glue peeled away from the paper/glass immediately. Any tips?
Hi Kate,
Did you wash the glass gems before gluing them to the fingerprint art? Sometimes they are sold with a slight residue on them that can affect the glue. Other than that, I have never heard of anyone ever having any issues with fingerprint magnets coming apart. Let me know how it goes!
Hi there! Can we use regular paint for the finger prints? Or does this only work with the ink pads?
Hi Alice,
Yes, I would imagine that other types of paint will work just as well to make these fingerprint magnet crafts. Just make sure that the prints are not too thick or gloppy (if you know what I mean–lol), and you allow the paint to dry completely before gluing the fingerprint art to the glass gems. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
Nell