Aspen Tree Kid's Craft

Sometimes I miss teaching preschool.

I don't miss the yucky noses, temper tantrums, and constant running.

I do miss the little hands, the happy giggles, and sweet smiles.

 

The other day I saw some stuff in my craft desk that reminded me of a fun project we did in preschool:

Paper Trees.

They're so pretty and easy to make!

We did one for every season.

 

This is how we do it:

You'll need: 

•  a paper bag (we used white for aspen trees but brown for others)
• colored tissue paper (yellow for an autumn aspen; add red and orange for other varieties or green for summer trees. You can even crumple red tissue into little balls for apples.)
• liquid glue
• scissors

STEP 1: Turn the folded paper bag upside-down and cut up

toward the base, making a 4-5 inch cut.

DO NOT CUT ALL THE WAY TO THE END.

Make several cuts about a half-inch apart from edge to edge.

 

STEP 2: Open cut paper bag.

 

STEP 3: Grab bag in the middle between the cuts and the base.

 

STEP 4: Squeeze and twist toward the bottom of the bag to create the trunk and base of your tree.

 

STEP 5: Twist each individual cut piece to create branches.

 

STEP 6: Arrange branches by separating and re-twisting if necessary.

 

STEP 7: Tear small (dime-size) pieces of tissue paper for leaves.

 

STEP 8: On a scrap piece of paper, make a small pool of glue.

 

STEP 9: dip corner of "leaf" in glue.

This makes it MUCH easier to control amount of glue on a leaf. =)

 

STEP 10: Place glued leaf corner on branch.

 

Continue adding leaves until you're satisfied with the appearance of your tree.

Make several to create a forest of Fall. 

 

Beautifully simple!