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Fingerprint reindeer art is a fun and festive holiday craft that’s as easy as it is adorable. This project turns simple fingerprints into cute little reindeer that can be used for cards, gift tags, or wall art.
It’s perfect for kids and families who want to create something meaningful without a lot of fuss or expensive materials.
Each fingerprint becomes a body or head, and with a few added details—antlers, eyes, and that classic red nose—you’ve got a herd of reindeer ready to spread cheer.
How to Make Fingerprint Reindeer Art
The best part about making this Fingerprint Reindeer Art? Every reindeer looks slightly different, giving each one its own personality!
Materials
- White cardstock or thick paper
- Washable paint or ink pads (brown, red, blue, etc.)
- Paintbrush (optional for details)
- Black or brown fine-tipped markers
- Googly eyes
- Small pink or red pom-poms (for noses)
- Glue stick or craft glue
- Baby wipes or damp towel (for easy cleanup)
Shop the materials
The steps
Step 1: Set Up Your Work Area
Lay down a newspaper or a plastic table cover to protect your surface. Place all your materials within reach.
If working with kids, give each one their own piece of cardstock to make cleanup easier and keep the designs organized.
Step 2: Create the Fingerprint Bodies
Dip a fingertip into brown paint or press it onto a brown ink pad. Press firmly onto the paper to make an oval shape—this will be the reindeer’s body.
Use your thumb or another finger to make a slightly smaller oval above it for the head. Repeat the process to create multiple reindeer across your page.
Step 3: Add the Antlers
Once the paint is dry, use a black or brown marker to draw simple branched antlers extending from the top of each reindeer’s head. Let kids be creative—some can have tall, spiky antlers while others have shorter, rounder ones.
Step 4: Glue on the Eyes and Nose
Attach two small googly eyes to each reindeer’s face using a dab of glue. Then glue a small pink or red pom-pom just below them for the nose—this is where Rudolph’s charm shines through! If you don’t have pom-poms, you can paint or draw the nose instead.
Step 5: Draw the Legs and Tail
Use your marker to add four stick-like legs to each reindeer’s body and a small line for a tail. To make it more festive, you can glue tiny black pom-poms to the ends of the legs for “hooves.”
Step 6: Personalize with Color and Details
Have fun adding accessories! Try painting scarves, Santa hats, or collars with tiny bells. Mix in colorful fingerprints for variety—some reindeer could have blue or red bodies for a whimsical touch. You can even use glitter glue to give them a frosty sparkle.
Step 7: Display or Gift Your Artwork
Let the paint and glue dry completely before framing, hanging, or using the artwork as handmade Christmas cards. You can also write each family member’s name under their “reindeer” for a personalized keepsake that’s sure to make everyone smile.
