Press your thumb onto an ink pad, stamp it on paper, and turn the print into a ladybug, dragonfly, bee, caterpillar, spider, or any creepy-crawly you can imagine. This craft takes about 10 minutes, needs almost no supplies, and is perfect for all ages.
Materials
Supplies:
- Non-toxic, washable ink pad (any color, or multiple colors)
- Paper
- Pen or fine-tip marker
That’s it. Three supplies.
Tools:
- Damp cloth or wet wipes (for cleaning thumbs between colors)
No ink pad? Dip your thumb in washable paint spread thin on a paper plate. Works the same way.
Steps
- Make thumbprints. Press your thumb onto the ink pad, then firmly onto the paper. Lift straight up for a clean print. Make a bunch, spaced out so you have room to draw around each one.
- Let the ink dry. Wait a minute or two so the pen doesn’t smear the prints.
- Turn them into bugs. Use a pen or fine-tip marker to add legs, wings, antennae, eyes, and other features to each thumbprint:
➡️Ladybug: Add a line down the center, dots on each side, two antennae, and six legs.
➡️ Bee: Add stripes, two wings, antennae, and a stinger.
➡️Caterpillar: Line up 4-5 thumbprints in a row. Add legs to each, antennae on the first one, and a smiley face.
➡️ Spider: Add eight legs radiating outward from the print.
➡️ Butterfly: Use two prints side by side for wings, add a thin body between them, and draw antennae.
➡️ Ant: Three prints in a row (head, thorax, abdomen), add six legs and antennae.
Grownup help needed: None. Use washable, non-toxic ink only.
