We love making simple themed crafts throughout the holiday season and then displaying them in the kids’ art galleries to help their rooms feel extra festive. This thumbprint Christmas tree craft was perfect for both Cole and Isla because it was simple enough for a 2-year old and adaptable for a 6-year old. She decided to use wet wipes to spread her paint, making it look like a watercolor painting. We shared this craft (and a lovely evening) with our dear friends, the Schroeders! Dan and Ashley were friends from our Dubai days and we have some of the happiest memories decorating and celebrating our first Christmas season overseas with them. Now we’re all back living in Oregon and Cole and Seb were born just 5 days apart! It is such a joy watching them grow up together, and hilarious to see how different their personalities are— Cole painted for about 27 seconds before throwing his hands in the air and announcing, “All done!” while Seb spent a solid 10 minutes carefully dabbing little dots of paint all over his Christmas tree.

To make these Christmas tree finger print paintings:

• Cut out a triangle of green construction paper and glue it onto a piece of speckled white construction paper background (or any other color you choose). Isla opted to add a brown trunk to her tree.
• Then squeeze little dots of acrylic paint onto a clean sponge (we cut one sponge into halves for the kids to share).
• You’re ready to paint! Let the kids dip their fingers into the paint and then press little dots all over the tree. Add a little dot of liquid glue to the top of the tree and a sprinkle of glitter for a festive tree topper, if you’re so inclined.