An Indoor Play Activity
This activity will amaze your child … and, just possibly, reveal whose hands have been in the cookie jar.
Materials Required:
- Washable stamp pad or pencil
- Paper or notebook
- Tape (not necessary if you use a stamp pad)
- Corn starch
Optional Materials:
- Magnifying glass
Instructions:
This activity will amaze your child … and, just possibly, reveal whose hands have been in the cookie jar.
First, explain that everyone has unique fingerprints. (Even twins.)
Then have your child print the entire family.
You can use a washable stamp pad or take a pencil and rub it on a sheet of paper to make a pad.
Show your child how to hold a “suspect’s” finger and gently roll it back and forth on the pad.
Then have him or her place the finger on a piece of paper, again rolling it once from one side to the other. This will leave a clear fingerprint. (If you use the graphite method, you’ll have to put clear tape over the print-otherwise the graphite will rub off or smudge.)
Label the prints.
Next, demonstrate how to dust various objects with corn starch and a small soft brush. You’ll get the best prints off hard and smooth surfaces.
Blow off the powder (away from your child’s face), and presto! You’ll see the fingerprints of the person who tOuched the object.
Try matching them to the various family members. A magnifying glass will help.
Now ‘fess up – aren’t those your prints on the cookie jar?
This Childrens Activity is sponsored by Zane Education – the home of online Visual Learning.
