Exploring Fingerprints (Science for Kids)

Welcome to another Science Invitation Saturday where we explore science for kids! Last week we played with bubbles and even made our own bubble wand and bubble solution. This week are going to explore fingerprints!

Materials:

• ink pad
• paper
• magnifying glass (optional)
• fingerprint record sheet 

Fingerprint Record Printable

Procedure:

Everyone’s fingerprints are different. Let’s see what your fingerprints look like!

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1. Press one of your fingers onto an ink pad. 
2. Gently and slowly roll your finger onto your fingerprint record sheet or a blank piece of paper.
3. Make a print of each finger. 
4. Compare your prints. What is similar about your prints? What is different? (Optional: Use a magnifying glass to make the comparisons).

Lucy’s Comments: “I see lots of hills and swirls.” “How many lines are on our fingers, Mom?” “What do yours look like, Mom?”

Tips:

– Our ink was coming out very dark in the prints. What worked for us was to press our finger in the ink, then press it once on scrap paper to get of excess ink, and THEN make our print to keep on our record sheet. 

– This is a messy activity. Have your sink ready for hand washing!

Question to Spark More Curiosity & Critical Thinking:

What patterns do you notice in your prints? Do your prints look similar to your family’s prints?

What are any benefits you can think of to everyone having different fingerprints?

Want to go even further?

Even more activities to inspire creativity and critical thinking for various ages: 

• Fingerprint patterns are divided into different groups. With a parent, search online or in a book to discover what group your fingerprints fall into. Compare the results to that of other family members for friends.
• Make a fingerprint using the ink pad onto a deflated balloon. Wait for it to dry. Then blow up the balloon until you can see your fingerprint in more detail!
• Collect a fingerprint record of everyone in your family. Then, without you seeing, have one person leave a fingerprint on some paper. Try to figure out whose fingerprint it is by comparing it to your fingerprint record.
• Turn your fingerprints into art! We put our fingerprints on blank paper. Then we used colored pencils to add details.

Don’t forget to join the Buggy and Buddy community on Facebook where there’s even more ideas for creating and learning!