8 Fun Finger (and Foot!) Painting Projects

Angel

A footprint creates the body of this angle, right down to the sweeping ends of the robes. Wings are full handprints with fingers loosely held together. The added details of glitter paint and the star tinsel complete the image.

Wreath

Overlapping handprints, fingers mildly splayed, arranged in a hollowed-out circle create this festive piece. Berries are thumbprints.

Flower and Bumblebee

The center of the flower is a palm print, and individual fingers create the petals. The stalk is the side of the hand and the leaves are created by making a fist, and using the same outside part of the hand as the stalks (the side opposite the thumb). The bumblebee was Mom's contribution, to the delight of Grandmom, who got this as a birthday card. Simply paint your thumb yellow with a black strip in the center, press down, and then add some antennae.

Gobble, Gobble

A classic of daycares and preschools everywhere, the turkey is also fairly simple. The thumbprint creates the head, and splayed fingers create the notable tail. Then add feet.

Fall Tree

A footprint makes a sturdy tree trunk. Additional branches can be made by either the side of the hand or, as in this case, individual fingers. Fall trees are the best according to our four-year-old test artist, who says her favorite parts are the thumbprint leaves in different colors. Adapt this idea to an apple tree or a flowering spring tree for variety.