Fingerprint Snowman Ornament Tutorial

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I love making handmade ornaments that capture a moment in time. This fingerprint snowman ornament is a fun way to record precious little fingers and drawings in an easy diy Christmas ornament.

If you saw my snow ornaments from a few years back this is a simple twist on that. Instead of using a Cricut and vinyl to decorate the floating panel in the ornament we decorate it with snowmen made from painted finger prints and sharpie accessories.

I had my Teddy do all the fingerprints for these snowmen, but if you have multiple kids or want to make this as a grandparent gift you could have each child make a single fingerprint.

What We Love About these Fingerprint Snowmen Ornaments

There are a lot of things we love about these cute snow globe ornaments. This is an easy craft. By utilizing fast drying acrylic paint and sharpies this can be done in 15 minutes with a speedy child or drawn out for a more leisurely kid or even a class.

Minimal mess. Even though this is a paint project, the way we apply the paint makes it so there is no need to get messy.

Moving elements. The little snow balls in the ornaments are so cute and people just love them.

Easily customized. You can customize these depending on your drawing or ribbon choice.

More Homemade Christmas Ornaments You’ll Love

Ornaments are one of my very favorite crafts. I’ve made a lot. You can see all my Christmas ornament tutorials, but for now here are a few of my favorites.

• Rudolph Cork Ornament – these are adorable and great for using up odds and ends of craft supplies
• Melted Snowman Ornament – this is a really cute ornament perfect for gifting since you can pretend that he was standing before you gave him away.
• Upcycled Photo Ornament – turn a mason jar lid into a great picture ornament

And for even more awesome snowman crafts and project see below the tutorial!

What You Need to Make a Snowman Finger Print Ornament

If you are lucky you should be able to find the supplies for these darling Christmas ornanments at the dollar store. Especially if you keep your eye out as soon as Halloween stuff starts appearing you can almost always find inexpensive fake snow balls, plastic clear ornaments, and holiday ribbon.

The other supplies may already be in your craft room. But if not they are easy to get as well!

Supplies for Making Handprint Snowmen Ornaments

It doesn’t take much to make these aside from the clear ornaments you can make one package of snowballs, plastic sheets, and paint go a long way. You could easily make these as student crafts or a fun youth activity project.

I will link the supplies on amazon for ease and so you know what you are looking for, but like I said above, check the dollar store because you can usually find many of these items there.

• Clear Ornaments – These come in a variety of sizes, just go with what you like or is available! I prefer plastic ones when having the kids work with them. This should work fine with glass but i haven’t tried these ornaments with glass myself.
• White Paint – I like using acrylic paint since it’s inexpensive, I have it on hand, and it dries quickly. Feel free to use whatever finish you like, matte, glossy, pearl, or shimmery would all be fun!
• Tiny Foam Snow Balls – I’ve seen a few different sizes in these. Honestly as long as it fits in the neck of your ornament it will work. You could also use, glitter, confetti, sequins, or any small objects.
• Colored Sharpies – You could use other permanent markers or even paint if you like. Just something to add accessories, and face details. I loved how easy the sharpies made things.
• Ribbon – There are so many awesome types of ribbons, i love how fabric ribbons look but other than that you can pick a solid, print, textured, whatever!
• Plastic Floating Disk – YOu can make your floating disk by cutting laminating sheets out on an electric cutter like a Cricut or you could hand cut them with scissors if you don’t have one.
• Floating Disk Template – I have the free template on my downloads page (look for snow globe template) free for my mailing list subscribers in the size that matches my globes, different years the dollar store has different sizes. So keep in mind even if you use mine, youll want to test the shape out by cutting one out of paper and sliding it into the the ornament before you cut the plastic sheet.

Download Free Floating Ornament Template

The pattern for the floating disk that the fingerprints go on is available for free download to my newsletter readers. If you are already a subscriber find it on my downloads page remember the password for access is at the bottom of every email. If you’re not a subscriber you can sign up now.

How to Make Fingerprint Snowmen Ornaments

It is easy to make these cute ornaments it’s really just a few basic steps

1. Cut the floating disk. Longer details
2. Make fingerprints. Longer details
3. Decorate Fingerprints. Longer details
4. Insert the Snowmen into the Ornament.
5. Add the fake Snow. Just gonna put this out there but this is the most time consuming and annoying part of this craft. The snow balls just get really staticy
6. Tie on the ribbon. Depending on the look you are going for and the style of ribbon you are using you can do a bow, double bow, or even a simple knot. Each of the different styles are cute and attractive in their own way.

Step 1: Cut Floating Plastic Disk

I have a whole blog post about this you can check out so i’ll go through this part a little faster.

Use my template and cut it out on a Cricut or other cuttimg machine. First cut the template out of paper and test inserting it into the ornament. If it’s not the right size you can adjust it either in Cricut Design Space or cutting it down with scissors. WHen you have the size you like then you can cut eh plastic sheet. You only one one size

If you don’t have a cutting machine or are just doing one ornament you can carefully cut with scissors. But the machine is great at doing perfect circular cuts over and over.

Step 2: Make Finger Prints

I found the least messy way to do this was to pain the little guys finger with a thick layer of acrylic paint. You could also just put paint on a plate and have them stick their fingers in. Then just have them lay the finger to make the snow man base shape.

Step 3: Decorate Fingerprints

Use permanent markers to decorate the snowmen. Add eyes, a nose and some dots for the mouths. We did little hats, scarves and earmuffs but you can decorate yours to your hearts desires.

Step 4: Insert Snowman Disk into Ornament

Once everything is dry you want to roll the plastic plate and slide it into the ornament. This is why I prefer using the plastic ornaments it feels less risky when you’re doing a tricky step.

Step 5: Add the Fake Snow

You may think that you would do this easily with a funnel but trust me it’s SO much easier just to pop the little foam bits into the ornamanet. A word of warning these little guys go everywhere if you’re not careful and they are so so staticy. Just know this step will take a while and be patient.

Step 6: Tie On the Ribbon

Lastly tie it with a ribbon. There are so many ways you can do this. Tie it with a traditional bow like i did. DO a simple knot with some tails hanging down or even do a double bow.

I’m sharing this as a part of team creative crafts! And we have an awesome giveaway check it out below!!

More Snowman Crafts and Printables

Make a DARLING Polymer Clay Snowman Necklace with a quick and easy tutorial from Laura of Me and My INKlings to wear the entire holiday season!

Smitha from Smiling Colors is sharing a step-by-step tutorial to teach you How to Draw a Snowflake in just four simple steps.

Keep the kiddos busy on those snowy afternoons with a fun Free Printable Snowman Word Search created by Laura of Laura’s Crafty Life.

Shani from Sunshine and Munchkins has a Free Printable 6-in-1 Snowman Activity Placemat for some extra fun this winter without the cold.

Make this simple DIY Felt Snowman Wall Hanging for indoor fun with the kiddos all season long! Justine from the Little Dove shows you how!

Erica from 5 Little Monsters always has the CUTEST projects and this cuddly Crocheted Plush Snowman is sure to keep the chills away this Winter.

Brighten those dreary Winter days with a colorful DIY Snowman Suncatcher that makes the perfect front door greeting. Get the full instructions from Katie over at the Crafty Blog Stalker.

Chelly from We Can Make That has a festive Snowman Tag that is not only super sweet but quick and easy too with her Free SVG File.

Download and print a Free Juggling Snowman Coloring Page to keep the kiddos busy whether it’s a snow day or not. Hand drawn by Beth of Creatively Beth.

Lindsay with Artsy Fartsy Mama is sharing the recipe for DIY Snowman Bath Bombs that are not only ADORABLE but will warm you on a chilly Winter day.

Up Craft an old CD to create this adorable and ecofriendly DIY Snowman Ornament. Jane with DIY by Jane takes upcycling to a whole new level.

Create fun and festive DIY Dollar Tree Snowmen Votives with light up noses. Beth with Creatively Beth will show you how.

Lindsay from Artsy Fartsy Mama is sharing the tutorial for Polymer Clay Snowman Earrings that won’t melt all Winter long!

Create a DIY Let it Snow Sign with free SVG Snow Globe cut file from Liz at Liz on Call to decorate you wall or mantle all Winter long. And now you have the song stuck in your head too – LOL!

Building a snowman has never been easier than with this step-by-step DIY Wooden Clothespin Snowman Ornament project created by Heather of Homemade Heather.

Candice from She’s Crafty is sharing a fun and festive DIY Rustic Snowman complete with a plaid scarf, twig arms and a SNOW banner.

Get the kiddos involved in making a keepsake Fingerprint Snowman Ornament that shakes snow just like a snow globe! Marissa from Rae Gun Ramblings has the complete instructions!

Debra from Debra Quartermain Designs has an easy Plush Softie Snowman to make and enjoy all winter! Click through to see what this frosty pal is made from.

Perfect for all the hot cocoa you can drink this Winter, create an ADORABLE Snow Couple Travel Mug Set with Free SVG files from Diana at the Girl Creative.

Laura from Me and My INKlings always has the most DARLING projects, and these Upcycled Jar Snowmen are perfect for all your gift giving this holiday season!

Craft a cute little Plush Snowman from a Dollar Store Beanie with this fun tutorial from Michelle of Michelle’s Party Plan-It. Perfect to make with the kiddos!  

Blanca from Creativities Galore is sharing a super cute DIY Snowman Ornament to make with the kiddos on a snowy afternoon with limited supplies.

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