Halloween Thumb Print Greeting Cards

So much work goes into a classroom Halloween party. Looking for a fun way to say thanks to all the volunteers and room mothers who planned decorations, food, and games? Have your students make Halloween thumb print greeting cards!

Supplies You'll Need

- Orange and black washable tempera paint

- 3" x 5" greeting card

- Stick-on wiggle eyes

- Fine tipped black marker

Step-By-Step Instructions

Before You Begin

1. Prepare a shallow tub with warm soapy water. Create a "clean-up station" with pre-torn pieces of paper towel (enough for each student to use one to wet and clean, and one to dry).
2. Pour small amount of each color of paint into shallow containers—one per student.

Instructions for Bat Thumbprints

1. Dip thumb into black paint. (You want the paint to just cover bottom of the thumb and not have excessive amounts).
2. Place thumb carefully onto the front of the greeting card. Press and hold.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 again until the desired number of bats is reached.
4. Let the thumbprints dry before continuing to the next step.
5. Place two wiggle eyes near the top of each bat's body.
6. Use the fine tipped black marker to create ears and wings for each bat.

Instructions for Spider Thumbprints

1. Dip thumb into black paint. (You want the paint to just cover bottom of the thumb and not have excessive amounts).
2. Place thumb carefully onto the front of the greeting card. Press and hold.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 again until the desired number of spiders is reached. Feel free to play with the direction of the thumbprint (e.g. up and down, sideways, etc.) as well as use other fingers to create different body shapes/sizes.
4. Let the thumbprints dry before continuing to the next step.
5. Place two wiggle eyes near the top of each spider's body.
6. Use the fine tipped black marker to create legs for each spider and other desired deigns (e.g. spider web, etc.).

Instructions for Jack 'O Lantern Thumbprints

1. Dip thumb into orange paint. (You want the paint to just cover bottom of the thumb and not have excessive amounts).
2. Place thumb carefully onto the front of the greeting card. Press and hold.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 again until the desired number of pumpkins is reached. Feel free to play with the direction of the thumbprint (e.g. up and down, sideways, etc.) as well as use other fingers to create different pumpkin shapes/sizes.
4. Let the thumbprints dry before continuing to the next step.
5. Use the fine tipped black marker to create each jack 'o lantern's face and stem.

The final step for each greeting card style is to choose a greeting (or just leave the front blank) and have your students add a personalized message. These work great outside of the classroom too as party invitations, seasonal greeting cards, and more!