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! With the step-by-step tutorials below, invite children to use their fingertips and thumbs to make these quick and easy fingerprint art magnets at home or in the classroom. You might also enjoy this list of Beautiful Homemade Gifts Kids Can Make.
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 with a bit of assistance from a parent, teacher, or caregiver. First, Gather the supplies from the list below to make thumbprint or fingerprint art glass magnets, or turn your fingerprint art into fingerprint art necklaces or backpack charms instead!
- Paper (heavyweight printer or drawing is best–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 completely transparent. Please ensure there is no iridescent coating on them, as this can affect how the fingerprint craft turns out. (Glass gems are also known as flat back marbles, table scatter, cabochons, or floral stones and can also be found at most craft stores and some floral shops.)
- Scissors
- Clear drying glue – we have only used and tested Mod Podge and are unsure which other glues will and won’t work.
- 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 quick and easy fingerprint art magnets for gifts or fun. 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 the simple fingerprint art ideas on the list below.
Next, have the kids turn their fingerprint art into magnet crafts using the step-by-step fingerprint magnet craft video tutorial and the written instructions below these fingerprint magnet ideas. (In other words, scroll down to the bottom of this post for the step-by-step directions to make fingerprint art magnets.)
Or invite your children to make the other DIY fingerprint magnet craft ideas suggested, such as fingerprint art necklaces or keychain charms, for even more handmade fun! Fingerprint art creations make a great gift idea for moms, dads, and grandparents!
1. Fingerprint Art and Thumbprint Art Books for Kids
There are 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 several fingerprint art books, and Ed Emberley’s Complete Funprint Drawing Book is our favorite. 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. A few more fingerprint art book recommendations are below.
2. Thumbprint Heart Glass Magnets
With our step-by-step tutorial, we invite children to use their thumbprints to make hearts and turn them into thumbprint heart glass magnets.
Another fun thumbprint heart craft idea is to make 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
Here’s my daughter demonstrating how to make fingerprint art magnets, and the written step-by-step directions for DIY glass magnets are directly below the fingerprint magnet video tutorial.
Related: Best Fingerprint Art Ideas for Kids
Fingerprint Magnets Step-By-Step Tutorial
Invite the kids to use their fingertips and thumbs to make fingerprint art (or thumbprint art) to make a magnet with this easy refrigerator magnet tutorial.
Step 1 – Invite Children to Make Fingerprint Art and Thumbprint Art
- Invite children to make fingerprint art pictures with fingerprint ink pads and the easy fingerprint art ideas in the books on the list above.
- Use a heavyweight bright white paper for best results. Thin paper can cause the ink to bleed and become so saturated with glue that it ruins the art.
- Make sure each fingerprint art creation has enough white space around it to place a glass gem over it. In other words, leave an inch or two of space between each fingerprint picture.
- Allow the fingerprint art to dry before making them into fingerprint art magnets in the next step, or the fingerprint art pictures will likely smear. So it is best to wait until the ink is dry to the touch before attempting to glue it to the glass gem.
- Or, learn how to make a necklace or keychain with your fingerprint art creations!
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 a glass gem and glue it down on top of the fingerprint art, as shown in the video above.
- A small drop of glue goes a long way, so you don’t need much. Press it down firmly to spread the glue and remove air bubbles. Too much glue can cause the thumbprint art to smear.
- Allow the glue to dry before moving on to the next step. Overnight is best, but several hours will do in a pinch.
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 ensure 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
Hello.
Is there a video link for the fingerprint magnets? Can’t seem to find it anywhere.
Hi Lynn,
The step-by-step fingerprint magnet video tutorial is below the fingerprint ideas, and above the written instructions, under the heading “FINGERPRINT ART DIY GLASS MAGNETS VIDEO TUTORIAL.” Happy fingerprint magnet crafting!
Nell
Hello,
This looks absolutely adorable to do for my classroom parent holiday gifts! I can’t find the video hyperlink. Could you please let me know where to find this?
Hi Denise, I’m so glad you have decided to make fingerprint magnets with the students in your classroom for parent holiday gifts. I’m sure they will love them. The step-by-step fingerprint art video tutorial is posted underneath the different fingerprint magnet types above the written DIY directions–scroll down and press play. You can also find it on the Rhythms of Play Facebook page and youtube if that helps. Happy Christmas crafting!