Thumbprint Note Cards Craft for Kids

Teacher Appreciation Week is a wonderful time to express gratitude for all that teachers do for our kids with heartfelt, handmade gifts. These thumbprint note cards are simple to create, budget-friendly, and practical for teachers to use. Adding a personal touch with colorful thumbprint animals and sweet messages makes this gift both meaningful and unique.

I am always on the lookout for simple, easy crafts that the kids can do themselves. These sweet note cards are a great example. Quick, simple to make and their personality shines through every one.

Thoughtful and Easy Thumbprint Note Cards for Teacher Appreciation Week

Gather Your Supplies

• Cardstock cards, folded (I like this bright white cardstock)
• Invitation Size Envelopes
• Cardstock cards, unfolded for to/from (or to/love) cards
• Ink pads (This one is a great multi-color set)
• Thin line markers
• Ribbon (I keep ribbon ends from Christmas and Birthday wrapping)
• Letter stamps (optional – this one is in a nice wooden case)
• Fake thumbprint stamp (optional)

Creating the Thumbprint Note Cards

Instead of purchasing expensive blank note cards, we made our own by cutting cardstock into halves and folding each sheet to create two cards. Because we do so many projects we have lots of colors to choose from too!

We paired our colorful cards with a box of invitation-sized envelopes and just like that we had affordable and customizable canvases to create fingerprint masterpieces for all the teachers. After that, you need an ink pad, a thumb and your imagination!

Adding Thumbprint Animals

I’m a scrapbooker so we have a rainbow of stamp pads, but all you really need is one. After we picked our colors and a stamping set for the writing, we created adorable thumbprint animals. Inspired by a favorite Ed Emberley thumbprint drawing book. We chose elephants, fish, ladybugs, and pigs for our designs.

If you are concerned about sharing your child’s thumbprints, here is an inexpensive thumbprint stamp.

After the ink dried, we added small details like faces, legs, noses, and antennae to bring the animals to life. There are even loads of these types of books that come with a multicolor ink pad! Talk about convenient! And, of course, you can also find lots of free inspiration online. Honestly, the hardest part of this activity is stopping!

Personal Touches

To complete the cards, a small rectangle was stamped with “to” and “love,” and each card was signed for a personal touch. A thin ribbon tied in a bow added a final decorative element, making the cards feel even more special.

Teachers can use them for personal notes, and the handmade effort will surely bring a smile. A thoughtful, creative way to show appreciation without breaking the bank!

Want to have more fingerprint fun?

We found fingerprint art so much fun that we didn’t stop with the note cards. If you and your little one are looking for more fingerprint inspiration, art books by Ed Emberley and Parima Isso will keep both of you entertained for hours.

Looking for more great craft ideas for kids?

• Sweet Flower Pens
• Three Fall Owl Crafts for Kids
• Sweet Butterfly Pens
• Quick, Cool Teacher Appreciation Gifts

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