How to Dust For Fingerprints

Uncover hidden fingerprints around your home like an art detective.

Did you know that you leave a trace of yourself on every object you touch? Your fingerprints! In this activity, uncover hidden fingerprints around your home like an art detective.

Using everyday ingredients and tools from your kitchen cabinet, embark on a hands-on process that prompts you to ask questions, mix compounds, and analyze materials like a scientist at the Museum.

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Materials
- Mirror
- Metal spoon
- Magazine page
- Teaspoon of baby powder
- Paintbrush

Instructions
- Press your thumb down for 5 seconds onto the mirror, spoon, and magazine.
- Dip a soft, dry paintbrush into baby powder.
- Brush it very gently over the area where you pressed your thumb on each material.
- Blow away the excess to reveal your fingerprint!
- Look closely at each fingerprint and record what you notice in a notebook.


Chief Digital Officer: Douglas Hegley
Executive Producer: Sarah Wambold
Director/Writer/Producer: Emma Vecchione
Producer: Rachel Smith
Project Manager: Maria Kozanecka
Animation Direction: Lisa LaBracio
Stop Motion Animation: Lisa LaBracio
2D Animation: Luca Mancuso
Prop Fabrication: Lisa V. Bergmann, Anna Samo
Narrator: Roselin Lopez
Episode Consultants: Lucretia Kargère, Marco Leona
Education Consultants: Darcy-Tell Morales, Merantine Hens
Original Music: Austin Fisher
Sound Mix: Dave Raymond
Production Design: Aurola Wedman Alfaro
Rights and Permissions: Julie Zeftel

Annunciation Triptych (Merode Altarpiece), ca. 1427–32.
Workshop of Robert Campin (Netherlandish, ca. 1375–1444).
Oil on oak, 25 3/8 x 46 3/8 in. (64.5 x 117.8 cm).
The Cloisters Collection, 1956 (56.70a–c)

All Images © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

MetKids is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies

© 2023 The Metropolitan Museum of Art


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