Footprint Reindeer Art for Kids

A brown footprint becomes a reindeer body with one press. Paint the sole, stamp it on large paper, and the toes form the head end. Add fingerprint antlers, a red thumbprint nose, and drawn eyes, and you have Rudolph. It is a perfect first-Christmas keepsake and a gift grandparents frame.

What Supplies Do You Need?

• Brown washable tempera paint (non-toxic, AP seal)
• Red washable tempera paint
• Foam brush
• Paper plate or shallow tray
• Large white paper, 12x18 inch
• Painter's tape
• Newspaper or plastic tablecloth
• Smock or old shirt
• Baby wipes
• Soap and water
• Towel
• Paper towel
• Black marker
• Googly eyes (optional)
• White glue (optional, for googly eyes)
• Cardboard tube (optional, for mailing)
• Tissue paper (optional, for gift wrapping)
• Picture frame (optional)
• Pen

How Do You Get a Clean Footprint?

Lay newspaper or a plastic tablecloth on the floor and tape the large paper down with painter's tape on all four corners. The paper must not slide. Squeeze brown paint onto the paper plate and brush a thin, even coat across the child's sole with the foam brush. Wipe excess paint from between the toes with a corner of the paper towel, since pooled paint there makes blobs. Keep the towel, baby wipes, and soap and water ready before the child steps in.

How Do You Press the Foot?

An adult steadies the child, since painted feet are slippery. Press the heel down first, then roll forward onto the toes, with the toes pointing toward the bottom edge of the paper. The toe end becomes the reindeer's head. Press straight down with no sliding, hold for a slow count of three, then lift the foot straight up. One adult can press while another lifts the child to the towel for foot washing. Let the print dry 30 minutes before decorating.

How Do You Turn the Print Into Rudolph?

Dip the child's fingertip in brown paint and stamp 3 to 4 dots arcing outward behind the toe end on each side. These are the antlers. Press the child's thumb into red paint and stamp one print on the big-toe area for Rudolph's nose. For a regular reindeer, use a brown thumbprint instead. Draw two eyes above the nose with the black marker, or glue on googly eyes with white glue. Write the child's name, the date, and their age in a corner with the pen.

What Can Go Wrong (and How Do You Fix It)?

Ticklish feet make kids pull away. Fix it by having the child sit while the adult lifts the foot and presses the paper onto the sole instead. A sliding foot smears the print. Fix it by taping the paper on all four corners and pressing heel first. Blobby toes mean paint pooled between them. Fix it by brushing a thinner coat and wiping the gaps with the paper towel. A smeared antler dot is easy to fix: wipe it with a baby wipe before it dries and restamp.

How Do You Turn It Into a Gift?

Footprint reindeer art looks adorable framed, and the brown and red colors suit any holiday decor. Add the name, date, and age on the back with a pen. For baby's first Christmas, make two prints and give one to each set of grandparents. Roll the paper gently around a cardboard tube for mailing, or frame it and wrap it in tissue paper.

What Other Reindeer Crafts Can You Try?

For a handprint version, try our reindeer handprint art. For more fingerprint fun on cards, our fingerprint reindeer Christmas cards make great classroom gifts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this craft best for?

Babies through age 8 all work well. Babies and toddlers need an adult to paint the foot and handle the press, and the result is a treasured first-Christmas keepsake. Preschoolers giggle through the ticklish part and love stamping the antlers themselves. Kids 5 and up can paint their own sole with coaching and place the antlers and nose.

How messy does it get?

Expect brown feet and some floor risk, but it stays contained with prep. Tape the paper down, lay newspaper well past the paper edges, and keep baby wipes and a towel within arm's reach. Wash the foot with soap and water immediately after pressing. Washable tempera comes off skin and most floors with one washing.

How long does it take?

Plan 30 to 45 minutes. Setup and foot painting take about 10 minutes. The press itself takes under a minute. The print needs 30 minutes of drying before antlers and the nose go on. Decorating takes 10 minutes. Most of the clock time is drying, so it fits between other activities.

Is the paint safe for skin?

Use only washable tempera or finger paint labeled non-toxic with the AP seal. These are made for skin contact. Never use acrylic paint on feet, since it can irritate skin and is hard to wash off. An adult should steady the child during the press because painted feet slip. Wash the foot with soap and water right after stamping.

Be safe and have fun!