Paper Christmas Tree
This fun and easy Christmas tree craft is a shapes-and-size learning activity for young tots. It may also be modified into a group or class art activity where kids get to create and decorate a bigger paper tree together.
Materials Needed
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Safety Guidelines
- Young kids (3 to 8 years) should use child-safe scissors.
- Wash hands thorougly after using glitter.
- Watch out for this sign
. It means an adult's help is needed for the particular step.
Recommended Books
Steps
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Cut 3 to 4 triangles of increasing size from green construction paper or craft foam. You may also use felt paper or corrugated paper for a more novel texture. Little kids may need help in cutting these (relatively) big shapes. | |
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2. | Cut a rectangular shape from brown construction paper for the tree's base (or trunk). | |
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3. | Glue the triangles together to form a Christmas tree, with the largest triangle at the base and the smallest on top. | |
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4. | Flip the tree over and glue the brown rectangle at the base to make a trunk for your Christmas tree. | |
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5. | For the tree's trimmings, cut circles, bows, stars, candy canes, and other shapes from different colors of construction paper. | |
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6. | There are endless ways to decorate these shape trimmings: a.) A no-fuss way is to draw designs on them with crayons or oil pastels. Metallic crayons can do wonders, if you have them. |
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b.) Make glittery trimmings by applying glue on the entire shape and then sprinkling with glitter. I like using a paint brush to spread the glue and glitter- it's less messy and avoids getting the glitter all over you. | ||
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c.) Use glue and glitter to make stripes or other patterns on the shapes. | ||
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d.) Finer and detailed glittery designs can be better achieved with glitter glue (they usually come in nozzled squeeze bottles). | ||
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e.) Combine a variety of decorative materials like beads, small buttons, ribbons, sequins, small punched out shapes (use a craft punch), and gem-style stickers. | ||
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7. | Allow your Christmas trimmings to dry thoroughly (glittery glue would take an hour or two to dry) before gluing them onto the paper tree. | |
Earth Friendly Tips 
- Use a place mat or newspapers to cover your table or work area. After finishing the craft, you can collect the remaining glitter (usually you'll end up with multi-colored glitter) and keep them for your next project.
- When you finally decide to dispose of this craft project, try to save as much of the re-usable decorative materials as you can. I like keeping buttons, beads, and sequins for my next class or craft projects.
Crafts You Might Like
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| Paper Angel Chain | Santa Cone Hat | Salt Dough Snowman |