trees

Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft

September 29, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Fall is such a pretty time of year, and for many people, it is their favorite season. Aside from the leaves changing into gorgeous, radiant colors, the home décor is also stunning, and is super fun! The colors and décor of this fall season inspired the bat-topped fall pom pom tree craft.

_______

Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft Supplies

_______

Gather just the following few supplies for this soft and simple autumn tree craft:

pom poms in pink, melon, white, and purple hues
9-inch x 12-inch cardstock or construction paper
8 1/2 x 11-inch cream colored cardstock
white glue
glue gun
bat sticker
bat ring party favors
scissors and pencil

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

The Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft

The design of this tree is a triangular Christmas tree shape. So it’s a little like creating a Christmas craft early. The tree base is cut from cream-colored cardstock.

Young children enjoy using special craft supplies such as pom poms and will love gluing them to the paper triangle base. The pom poms can be squished together or spread apart in a random design. White glue works well for this task. 34 pom poms are affixed to this crafted tree.

_______

A metallic gold sticker bat is the unexpected but delightful tree topper, tying into the fall theme wonderfully. A bat cut from paper adhered with glue would work fine too.

An optional addition is to glue bat ring party favors between the pom poms for even more flare.

_______

Finally, a tree trunk cut from gold foil tissue paper and the pom pom-decorated tree display nicely when glued on a 9-inch x 12-inch piece of colored construction paper.

_______

An alternate way to showcase the crafted tree is to cut a thin cylinder from a toilet paper roll and cut two slits opposite from each other. Gently slide the bottom of the fall pom pom tree in the slits. The tree stands up sturdily on a table or shelf.

_______

Pom poms in pink, purple, ochre, and white provide the color scheme for this seasonal tree craft. But the craft would look spectacular in any color scheme.

_______

Bat Theme Pretend Play

Bat Necklace Craft

Neon Finger Paint Tree Art

_______

More Fall Activities

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Fall Scissor Skills Activities

_______

[Read more…]

Christmas Small World on the Light Table

December 14, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Transparent Christmas trees are the inspiration for this whimsical Christmas small world on the light table. They illuminate beautifully and pair with a variety of loose parts for creative and imaginative seasonal play.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

_______

Light Table Small World Supplies

The following supplies are included in the Christmas small world setup:

transparent Christmas trees in green, red, pink, and clear colors
clear acrylic deer figurines
clear acrylic snowman figurine
acrylic clear nativity decoration
pink transparent pebbles
small wooden shelters
wooden peg dolls painted red, green, pink, and white

_______

The Christmas Small World

In this Christmas small world, transparent trees in red, green, pink, and clear hues set the color scheme.

_______

Wooden peg dolls painted with acrylic paints in red, pink, green, and white colors complement the trees.

_______

Clear acrylic deer and a snowman are beautiful ornaments to explore.

_______

Transparent pink pebbles are a soft touch.

A simple nativity decoration enhances the Christmas small world theme.

_______

Making Your Own Transparent Trees

An alternative to purchasing transparent trees is to create your own.

_______

The trees above are made from transparent page dividers and paper rolls. To make them, cut paper rolls into two-inch cylinders. Next, cut a one-inch slit into opposite sides of each paper roll section. Then cut triangular trees from transparent page dividers.

Feel free to download this template to create the trees.

_______

Paper Roll Tree PatternDownload

_______

Slide the bottom of the trees into the paper roll trunks and set them on your light table or another tabletop. These DIY trees also illuminate nicely.

_______

More Christmas Activities

Christmas Peppermint Sensory Bin

Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments

CD Case Christmas Craft

Plaid-themed Christmas Rice Bin

Christmas Sheep Craft

Christmas Treasure Blocks

_______

[Read more…]

Tree Art Bulletin Board

July 13, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This bright tree art bulletin board is inspired by the stunning storybook called “The Wind and the Trees” by Todd Stewart. I discovered the book at a local library and instantly fell in love with the tender story and vibrant illustrations. The picture book provided just the inspiration I was looking for to redo a bulletin board begging for a change.

In the storybook, an old pine tree teaches a young sapling about the benefits and dangers of wind. Over the course of the story, the old pine weakens and deteriorates and the young sapling slowly grows bigger. By the end of the story, a storm wind has knocked the old tree down, and a seedling soon takes its place.

The vivid silkscreen illustrations in this heartwarming children’s book show the same scene on each page in different weather, seasons, and times of the day. Tree trunks, needles, and skies are designed in beautiful, varying color schemes. Woodland animals are included subtly in silhouette form on many of the pages.

A pink and red-leafed woodland tree design that fits in with a spring blossom theme.

_______

As I am accustomed to doing an art-themed bulletin board using the same tree in different seasons or times of day, I soon realized that drawing inspiration from the color combinations in the book would work nicely for a new tree art bulletin board. The tree art design is easy to replicate in a space you have available.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

________

Supplies To Collect

Colored tree trunks prepared for a picture book-inspired tree art bulletin board project. An easy-to do, all ages art activity.

_______

A selection of quality sturdy paper and a few other supplies are needed for this woodland papercraft project. Gather the following:

tree template
9-inch x 12-inch fade-resistant construction paper in a variety of colors
cardstock in an array of colors
glitter cardstock
glue stick
paper punches
woodland animal stickers
pencil and scissors

_______

Preparing The Tree Art Craft

To plan out this tree art bulletin board, decide on a few different color schemes. I chose eight, but you can easily go with four. View the picture book “The Wind and the Trees” by Todd Stewart for color palette ideas.

Select a background color, tree trunk hue, and leaf colors for each tree art design. Use the paper choices you have available to pick color combinations.

Tip: Acid-free or fade-resistant paper is worth investing in for papercraft projects. The colors stay bright much longer.

_______

Then use a template to cut out paper tree trunks. Feel free to download the template below to make your craft preparation easier.

Download this free, user-friendly tree template for art and craft activities. The template is perfect for bulletin board art.

_______

Tree Craft PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Use two different-sized heart paper punches to create leaves. A few metallic paper leaves add a little glitz and are often children’s favorite collage pieces to use.

Note: The tree in the picture book is a pine. I chose a deciduous tree for my designs because its leaves work well for collage projects.

Next, glue a tree trunk to each background piece of paper.

Afterward, invite children to affix heart leaves to their trees using a glue stick.

Sunset-themed woodland tree art inspired by a picture book.

_______

Finally, participants can add paper punched and/or sticker woodland animals to their tree scenes. I used paper-punched birds and butterflies, and sticker deer, foxes, rabbits, raccoons, bears, squirrels, and porcupines.

Night-time woodland tree art inspired by a picture book.

_______

The Tree Art Bulleting Board Display

_______

Displaying the tree art is easy when using a rectangular bulletin board. Arrange the art in a sequence of color designs, and repeat the pattern for the whole display. An alternative is to display the art randomly or in another pattern of your choice.

_______

_______

More About “The Wind and the Trees” Picture Book

In addition to being an inspiration for art projects, this gorgeous picture book by Todd Stewart is perfect for a tree or nature theme. Through colorful pictures and wisdom-filled print, it communicates the life cycle of trees. It also shares the following details about how wind benefits and hurts trees:

How The Wind Benefits Trees

tree roots grow deeper
tree bark becomes stronger
messages and signals are carried from one tree to another
seeds are scattered so new trees can grow

The Dangers Of Wind To Trees

roots are stretched
tree trunks and branches dry
older trees get knocked down

Lastly, the pictures also depict a variety of woodland animals for children to spot and name, such as bats, owls, squirrels, bees, eagles, a raccoon, and a porcupine.

_______

A blue and green-leafed woodland tree art design with the colors of a cloudy everning.

_______

_______

Related:

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

Book-Inspired Tree Art

Horse Chestnut Leaf Art Activities

Neon Fingerpaint Tree Art

Maple Leaf Activities

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Christmas Tree Art

Christmas Tree Decorating Center

Monochromatic Christmas Tree Art

Candy Cane Tree Experiment

Chinese Money Tree Activities

_______

[Read more…]

Candy Cane Tree Experiment

December 20, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This candy cane tree experiment is easy to set up and is sure to be a conversation piece. It works well as a Christmas science activity, and also fits a forest theme.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

_______

For this simple science experiment, gather the following four supplies:

package of mini candy canes
one round striped candy
large flat white or cream-colored plate
flask of warm water

_______

The Candy Cane Tree Experiment

Design a tree on a plate with mini candy canes. Pour water into the plate and watch what happens. Your audience will be wowed!

_______

To perform this showy science experiment, start by arranging mini candy canes on a plate in a Christmas/coniferous tree design. The colorful and fruity candy canes above were a great find at a Dollar Store.

Next, set a round candy on top of the tree to be the tree topper.

Then fill a flask with warm water.

Carefully set the plate with the tree design on a table.

Now the experiment is ready to be performed. Invite participants to gather around the candy tree. Slowly pour water from the flask into the plate and invite everyone to watch what happens. It’s that simple!

Participants will be wowed at how the colors in the candy canes quickly spread through the water, making beautiful designs.

Watch the colors explode from the candy cane tree in this super simple science experiment everyone will love.

_______

Color changes will be instant. Over time the colors and their intensity will change.

Watch the colors move and change in this super simple science experiment everyone will love. The activity is a must-try.

_______

Note: This tree-shaped experiment can be done with standard-sized candy canes in a large ridged serving tray.

_______

The Science Behind The Candy Cane Tree Experiment

The candy canes are made of sugar. The water breaks the sugar molecules apart. Then the food colors move through the water from areas of higher sugar concentration (near the candy) to areas with less sugar (the center and rim of the tray.) When the sugar concentration is the same in all areas, the colors stop moving.

Water temperature is a variant in this experiment. Sugar dissolves more quickly in warm water, and food coloring moves at a faster pace.

Candy Cane Color Experiment Variations

Watch the stunning color changes in this super simple mini candy cane science experiment. Try it today!

_______

You can forgo making a tree shape with the candy canes, and spread a few around a plate instead. The color movement is just as interesting in this more basic version.

Watch beautiful colors emerge in this super simple science experiment with a serious WOW factor. Just thee supplies are needed to perform the experiment.

_______

And if you have been following my blog for a while, you may have discovered that I have done a few other candy/candy cane color experiments. Here are more variations:

Candy Cane Science Experiment

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

_______

This mini candy cane color experiment is a must-try. Just three supplies are needed for the simple science activity everyone will love.

_______

[Read more…]

Monochromatic Christmas Tree Art

December 17, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This simple monochromatic Christmas tree art is completed in four different color themes. The art activity is easy to implement at home or in a Christmas art program. Finished projects display beautifully on a bulletin board or feature wall.

The color theme chosen for this gorgeous art activity is inspired by the exquisite pastel-colored miniature Christmas tree ornaments spotted on shopping trips around town this holiday season.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Just a few supplies are needed for this pretty craft:

12 x 18-inch sturdy paper
magenta, yellow, teal, green, and white tempera paints
glitter in magenta, teal, gold, and green colors
large magenta, gold, teal, and light green gift bows
paint palettes
paint pots
paintbrushes
spoons
ruler
pencil
scissors
hot glue gun or white glue
plastic tablecloth

_______

Preparing The Tree Art Project

This monochromatic Christmas tree art project is done in pastel shades of green, yellow, teal, and magenta. The trees look beautiful on display.

_______

First, select 12 x 18-inch sturdy paper for the art project. I used manila and manila tag and both kinds worked well.

With a ruler and pencil, draw a long, narrow triangle on each sheet of paper. The triangles should fill the whole page.

Next, cut the paper triangles out.

Then mix a variety of shades of magenta, yellow, teal, and green tempera paint in small pots by adding various amounts of white to each color. For each hue, the shades should range from light to dark.

Tips:

To warm up the yellow just a little, add a drop of red to the hues.
To make teal paint, mix a little yellow into blue paint. Or use teal tempera paint straight out of the bottle.

Afterward, spoon different shades of each color into paint palettes. Each palette should have shades of one hue only. Include a little white tempera.

_______

The Monochromatic Christmas Tree Art Process

_______

To offer this tree painting project, cover an art table with a plastic tablecloth.

Choose one monochromatic color scheme to work with.

Then set out a triangular-shaped paper tree, filled paint palette, and brush for each child participating.

Invite participants to paint their tree, using as many shades of the chosen color as they can.

When the trees are fully covered and the paint is still wet, let little artists sprinkle similarly toned glitter on their projects. They will love this part of the process.

After the paint has dried, use white glue or a hot glue gun to affix a matching gift bow to the top of each tree. As an alternative, glue silver or gold bows on the trees.

On another day, pick a different paint color and offer the Christmas tree painting project again.

If there is time, complete the tree art in all four colors.

_______

When finished, display the painted trees together on a wall. They are sure to be admired!

Note: The paint colors used for this art project also make awesome ombre Christmas trees.

_______

Related: Christmas Tree Art

_______

[Read more…]