Are you looking for a way to thank the teachers who have helped your children all school year long? Make this easy fingerprint tree craft for a special teacher gift they’ll treasure!
Teachers work hard and often put in countless hours of thankless work with our kids. When we celebrate all their hard work during Teacher Appreciation Week or at the end of the school year, they often receive gifts they don’t need or can’t use (hint: they don’t need an apple for their desk or another coffee mug).
As we were planning our most recent Teacher Appreciation Week gifts, I wanted to come up with an idea that would show our gratitude in a cute way and didn’t take up precious desk or home space.
And I’m thrilled with this Fingerprint Tree Craft idea! It’s a budget-friendly craft that your child or family can make. If you’re a room parent, this craft is a GREAT one to do with the entire class!
Note: If you want even more inspiration for great teacher gifts, check out our Teacher Appreciation Thank You Gift Tag, Candy Bar Wrappers, and Custom Desk Name Plates!
Now, let’s get to that fingerprint tree teacher gift.
How To Make A Fingerprint Tree Gift For Teachers
This project is so simple, yet it creates a uniquely memorable gift that ANY teacher will appreciate. At the core, all we want is to show our gratitude for all the effort our teachers put toward helping our kids, right?
This gift does that in a big way and will be one that your child’s teacher keeps for a long time. Here’s how to make it.
Download The Printable Fingerprint Tree
Start by signing up for our newsletter below to get your free classroom printable tree. Once you sign up, the tree file will be sent to your email address. From there, you can download and print as many times as you would like.
Please remember that this is for personal use only. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any issues with your download.
Supplies Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to gather to make this craft come to life and prepare it for gift-giving.
- Free fingerprint tree template download
- Plain cardstock paper
- Ink pads in different colors of your choice
- Gift packaging (ribbon, gift bag, etc.)
Instructions
Now that you have your free classroom fingerprint tree printable, it is time to make it the ultimate teacher gift!
Step 1
Print the file in color, and you will have something that looks like the image below.
I recommend printing on white cardstock to make sure it is sturdy enough to handle all of those fingerprints.
Step 2
Next, you will need to grab different color inks and have each student in the class press their fingerprint onto the tree. Just use a finger, press it onto the ink pad, and let them decide where on the tree to place their “leaf.”
Your tree will fill up with little leaves that are oh-so meaningful for their teacher.
Note: we went sparingly with our fingerprints, but if you have a large class (or enthusiastic kids), this gift looks incredible when the tree is full, too!
FAQs
Here are a couple of questions that I see readers ask about making this fingerprint tree teacher gift. If you have a question, please check to see if I’ve already answered it below. Don’t see your question? Leave it for me in the comments!
What type of ink should I use?
I recommend using something that is easy to wash off of little fingers. I would also get a set of colors or buy several different colors, so you have some variety in your fingerprint “leaves” on your tree.
This ink pad set from Amazon has tons of colors, and it is washable ink, too. It should be enough ink to last you through several classes worth of fingerprints!
Can I use paint instead of ink?
Yes! I have done this project with washable craft paint instead of ink. If you choose to go that route, know going into it that the fingerprints will look different (they’ll be thicker, like paint).
Also, when using paint, you need to print the fingerprint tree template on heavy-duty card stock paper instead of printer paper. Unfortunately, printer paper won’t hold up to the moisture or weight of the fingerprints.
How do I package this gift for my child’s teacher?
There is no right or wrong here. You could give it to your child’s teacher in a few different ways:
- Gently roll it up into a log and tie it with a ribbon.
- Frame it in an inexpensive frame and put it into a gift bag.
- Slide it into a page protector sleeve and place the sleeve into a folder or binder along with stories, poems, or favorite memories written by each child.
No matter how you package and deliver this fingerprint tree teacher gift, don’t be surprised if it brings a few tears from the special teacher. Those are the best gifts of all, right?
Print this cute tree and start on this great “thank you” gift idea for the teachers in your life. I love a meaningful gift that is as inexpensive as it is sentimental!
More Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas
If you love this fingerprint tree teacher gift idea and want more teacher appreciation crafting inspiration, please check out these other popular posts!
Supplies
- Free fingerprint tree template download
- Plain cardstock paper
- Ink pads in different colors of your choice
- Gift packaging
Instructions
- Print the file in color on plain cardstock paper.
- Grab different color ink pads and have each student in the class press their fingerprint onto the tree.
- Once the ink is dry, package up the gift to give to your child's teacher!
I love all the colorful fingerprints!
can you tell me what font you used? would love to add the name of my son’s school and date to the tree.
thanks!
The link to the tree is not working!! Help plz!!!
It works fine for my Jody. Maybe try again?
The link isn’t working for me either? Any suggestions.
I am going to reload it and offer an alternate link. I think there may be too many of you all accessing at the same time! The new link will be in the post above.