Fingerpaint Christmas Cards

What You Need:

• Plain white cards with matching envelopes (or white paper folded in half)
• Non-toxic ink pads (in blue, green and brown colors, if possible)
• Colored markers

What You Do:

1. To make snowmen: have your child dip his thumb in the ink, then press it to the front of the card. Repeat with his pointer finger, pressing directly above the thumbprint. Finish with the pink, pressing directly above the pointer finger. Use the magic markers to draw in a red scarf, a small hat, and arms. Write holiday message beneath.
2. To make reindeer: have your child dip her thumb in brown ink and make a thumbprint on the page. Draw two brown antlers above it, two dark eyes and a red nose.
3. To make a Christmas tree: have him dip his pointed finger in green ink and make prints on the paper in a triangle shape. Dip his whole thumb in brown ink, then press the whole thumb directly below the triangle. Decorate with different colored dots to look like ornaments, a star at the top, and presents beneath.

Not only will these handmade cards make the holidays brighter for friends and relatives, your preschooler will also be practicing fine-motor skills and coordination, which form the foundation for writing!