Thanksgiving Tree
The festive season is approaching! Before we get caught up with all the planning and rushing around, I wanted to take some time to remember to be thankful for all we have in our lives and to share fun times with our family.
So to help you and your family take time out and talk about things they are thankful for, try making a Thanksgiving Tree!
This activity is easy for kids of all ages and has a low messiness factor! The craft materials you need are colour paper, scissors, string and a hole punch. (If you don’t have coloured paper use plain paper and colour in your leaves!)
You need a branch or two to make your tree! Use this time to take a stroll around your neighbourhood or local park to collect small tree branches while brainstorming with your kiddo about what makes you feel grateful.
So let’s get started!
Happy Crafting and Happy Thanksgiving!
~ Miss Julie
Founder ActivityBox
What you need:
- A small tree branch or two
- Paper in Autumn colours
- Pencil, scissors, hole punch
- String or thread to hang leaves
- Tall vase or container for branches
- Scrap cardboard for leaf stencil (optional)
If you don’t have sheets of paper in Autumn colours you can make the leaves with plain paper and colour them in.
Step 1: Make your “tree”
Take a stroll around your neighborhood or local park to collect small branches while brainstorming with your kiddo what you’re grateful for.
When you get home, break-off or cut-off any long bits to make a nicely shaped “tree” from your branches. (Make sure the ends aren’t too sharp for little hands!) Position it securely in your vase or container.
Step 2: Make your leaf stencils
Make a leaf stencil from cardboard if you don’t’ want to draw free-hand. Leaves can be any shapes but just make sure they are big enough to write a word or two on them. Use a pencil to trace around your leaf stencil or draw your leaves free-hand.
Tip: Fold over the paper once or twice so you can cut out 2 or 3 leaves at the same time
Step 3: Cut out your leaves
This is also a project you can do over a few days or even weeks. You can start with a few and then add a leaf each day. Write down something you are thankful for that day!
Step 4: Punch a hole in your leaves
To extend the activity, we made leaf rubbings. (My hubby’s idea!) We placed leaves over different textures and rubbed over them with wax crayons. They looked great!
Step 5: Ask “What you are thankful for?”
Talk about different things that you are thankful for. Write one thing down on each leaf. Get the whole family involved!
It’s fun to discuss and explore the different things we are thankful for. If your child is still too young to write themselves, they can trace over your word or draw a picture. Or you can write words for them.
Step 6: Attach your string
Now cut your string into pieces to attach your leaves. Each piece needs to be long enough to tie the knot and still hang on branches. Repeat for each leaf you plan to make. You can also just tie a leaf directly to the branch.
Step 7: Now make your Thanksgiving Tree!
Carefully place your leaves on different branches. You can even glue or staple 2 or more leaves together to make a bunch of leaves. Store leftover leaves in a bowl next to your tree.
Tip: If the tips of your branches are really thin, you can put a leaf on through the punched hole without using string.
I created this activity and shared it with our friends at Sassy mama earlier this week. Be sure to check out their other fab contributors for fun holiday ideas.
If you enjoyed this activity you may be interested in trying out ActivityBox! You get 4 craft projects with step-by-step instructions and all the materials you need, delivered to your home every month. See what’s inside the Box.
Happy Thanksgiving!
~ Miss Julie
