Looking for a craft to practice cutting and gluing? Check out these 3D Paper Holiday Trees! Make them into an ornament or set on a shelf!
Materials:
Colored paper (any type you prefer depending on skill level - we used cardstock for our example)
Craft decorations (crayons, markers, sequins, ribbon, glitter glue - you decide how much to include)
Scissors
Glue (style can range from glue stick to craft glue to hot glue depending on skill level)
Pipe cleaner or string (optional)
Star bead (optional)
Sensory Extension:
Take time to observe and experience the craft decoration materials. Sort them based on different qualities.
Touch a real holiday tree and its decorations.
Directions:
Get 4 sheets of 8.5x11 paper. The paper can be whatever type your crafter (or you!) can cut and fold the best. It can be whatever color you want your tree to be.
Cut each sheet into quarters.
Measure and mark the middle of each short side to prepare for a "hot dog" fold. We made very small cuts (first photo below) at these marks to help the paper fold where we wanted.
Use a ruler of other straight edge to help fold each sheet in half the long way("hot dog" style). This is especially helpful with stiffer paper.
Sketch half of a tree on one side of just one paper with the trunk at the fold.
Cut out your tree. It is easiest to cut these if each cut goes towards the tree rather than trying to turn the scissors around.
Trace this tree onto your other papers and cut them out as well.
Decorate your trees. We decorated each one a different way to inspire creativity. It's also ok to leave them blank - all types of holiday trees are good!
Glue one half of each tree to a neighbor. Make sure to line up the branches ... or enjoy an extra frilly tree - again, all types of holiday trees are good! We glued ours together in pairs and then combined the pairs.
Optional: Before you add the last tree(s), glue a string to the inside folds. This will let you hang it as an ornament.
Optional: Add a star bead (or bead shape of your choice) to the string.
When all the sections have been glued together, you're all done. Enjoy your festive holiday tree.
Learning Connection:
History: The tradition of decorating winter holiday trees dates back hundreds of years and is rooted in a mixture of cultures. Early civilizations, including Egyptians, Romans, and Northern Europeans used plants like palms and evergreen trees to make wreaths and garlands during winter to symbolize life and renewal. By the 16th century, in Germany, people began bringing evergreen trees into their homes and decorating them with candles, fruits, and handmade ornaments. The practice spread over time, and holiday trees became popular in England and America. Today, decorating a tree is both a cultural and personal tradition, symbolizing joy, celebration, and the spirit of the holiday season. It allows families to express creativity and creates an opportunity for bonding while enjoying traditions.
Art: Name the different colors and shapes of your tree's decorations.
Reading: Check out books about holiday trees and other holiday traditions from your library. Ask a librarian for suggestions.