#1: Use paper plates as paint pallets...they are sturdy and you just throw them away when you are done.
#2: Tell the kids exactly what you expect of them during the project (this is a big one at my house, if kids are not aware of the expectations, then we cannot hold them accountable to them...then we get frustrated when they do not do what we expect).
#3: If you have more than one kid, work with them one at a time while the other kids are occupied on another project (It is best to start with the youngest child, they are generally the most compliant...at least mine is when it comes to these projects).
#4: Have plenty of baby wipes on hand. Even though all of my kids are out of diapers (YAY!), we still keep these stocked in the house for projects like this.
#5: When making something that can break (like glass ornaments) make extra!
Christmas Lights Fingerprint Ornaments
Supplies:Glass Christmas Balls
Paper Plates
Assorted Paint Colors (We used Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Blue)
Black Paint
Black Paint Pen (Sharpie didn't work so well)
Small Paint Brush
Small cup
1. Dress your child in paint appropriate clothes.
2. Place a small dallop of each of the colors (except black) on the paper plate.
3. Place your child's index finger in the first color, dab it on the plate to get rid of excess paint.
4. Use their finger to place 3-4 finger prints on the glass ball ornament.
5. Repeat for each color.
6. Place wet ornament on the small cup to dry (make sure it is either small enough where the paint does not get on the cup, or a disposable cup)
7. Once ornament is dry use the black paint to paint the ends of the "Christmas Bulb", this is just a small black square on the rounder end of each fingerprint.
8. Place back on the cup to dry.
9. With the black paint pen draw in the cord which attaches each of the lights.
10. On the bottom of the ornament write (or have them write) their name and the date.
When making these ornaments we made 1 for each set of grandparents, 1 for the kid to keep (for when they are married, I have a hope that their wives and children will be interested in having this documentation of their childhood), one for me, and then a spare...because one will inevitably be broken through the years. that totals 5 ornaments per kid!
