Footprint snowman: a Christmas keepsake for toddlers

Age: 2+ · Time: 20 min · For: Ages 3–5

Little feet grow so fast. This footprint snowman captures that tiny foot in the cheeriest way: the heel becomes the body, the toes the head. Add a hat and scarf, and you have a keepsake that makes everyone smile every December.

What your child does, where you help

Your child: gives you their foot (and probably some giggles), and older toddlers decorate.
You: paint the foot, press and clean up.

Variations

Two feet: make a pair of snowmen holding hands.
Christmas card: print on folded card.
Yearly tradition: make one every year and compare the sizes.

Safety

Use paint that is safe for skin. Slippery painted feet need a grown-up's hand; wash them before your child stands up.

You need

a sheet of dark blue, black or dark green paper or card
white paint (washable finger paint or poster paint for children)
a sponge or wide brush
a saucer or flat plate for the paint
felt tips or paint in other colours for the hat, scarf and buttons
an old towel, baby wipes and a bowl of warm water

Steps

Get everything ready before you start, including the towel and the bowl of water. Sit your child on a chair with their feet free.
Brush white paint evenly over the sole of your child's foot. It tickles, so be quick.
Hold the paper on the floor or a book and press the foot down firmly, heel at the bottom and toes at the top. Lift it straight up.
Wash and dry the foot straight away.
Leave the print to dry for about 15 minutes. The heel is the snowman's body, the toes are the head with a fringe of snow.
Draw a hat over the toes, eyes, a carrot nose, a scarf and buttons.
Add white fingerprint snowflakes and write your child's name and the date.