The Paper Plate Christmas Tree is a wonderful toddler or preschool fine motor activity. It’s also the perfect fall and winter activity for kindergarten as well as for daycare and homeschool kids. In fact, two-year-old Keira enjoyed every aspect of this easy toddler craft. She loves to paint and as you can see from the photos below, she enjoyed every minute of painting the paper plate. Painting uses small muscles in your hands and fingers—which is a terrific fine motor skills activity for young, growing brains. Kids love to paint and it’s actually quite relaxing and fun to get back in touch with my inner preschool kid.
To make this easy holiday craft, you’ll need a paper plate, green paint, paint brushes, pom poms, a stapler and a hot glue gun. It’s the best fall or winter toddler and kid’s craft for preschool, kindergarten, daycare, and homeschool! If you like this simple craft, then you’ll love my Photo Wreath Ornament and Clothespin Reindeer DIY Ornaments!
Items needed to make a Paper Plate Christmas Tree
Paper plate. You’ll need a paper plate, or more, if you’re making more than one Paper Plate Christmas Tree.
Scissors. Grab a pair of scissors, and if you’re making these with toddlers or young kids, find some kid-friendly scissors. This is a fantastic fine motor activity for toddlers and children.
Green paint. Get some non-toxic green paint or green acrylic paint.
Paint brush. Find a large paint brush to paint the paper plates.
Stapler. You’ll need a stapler to staple the tree together once the paint dries.
Pom poms. You can use any color pom poms you like.
Hot glue gun. You’ll need a hot glue gun to fasten the pom poms to the painted Christmas tree. You can try using school glue but the pom poms won’t stay affixed for long as the school glue is too weak. We tried using school glue, but the pom poms fell off so we opted for the stronger glue gun and that fixed it. Fast forward two years later, we still bring our Paper Plate Christmas Trees out at Christmastime and the pom poms are still stuck to the painted paper plates!
How to make the best Paper Plate Christmas Tree
STEP 1: Fold a paper plate in half and then cut it in half with scissors.
STEP 2: Use a paint brush and green paint to paint the half paper plate. Let dry.
STEP 3: Fold the curved side of the painted and dried paper plate. Use a stapler to staple the edges together. I used about 4 or 5 staples.
STEP 4: Use a hot glue gun to glue the pom poms to the paper plate.
STEP 5: If you make this craft, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment to help other readers!
More festive crafts you’ll love!
Clothespin Reindeer DIY Ornaments
Mistle Toes & Footprint Snowman Cards
Easy Christ-Centered Christmas Crafts
Salt Dough Handprint and Footprint Ornaments
Kid-friendly Christmas recipes you’ll want to make!
Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Cup Cookies
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this Paper Plate Christmas Tree craft, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this craft a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this craft, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
Paper Plate Christmas Tree (Easy Preschool Craft)
Equipment
- 1 pair of scissors
- 1 stapler and staples
- 1 hot glue gun and glue sticks
Materials
Instructions
- Fold a paper plate in half and then cut it in half with scissors.
- Use a paint brush and green paint to paint the half paper plate. Let dry.
- Fold the curved side of the painted and dried paper plate. Use a stapler to staple the edges together. I used about 4 or 5 staples.
- Use the hot glue gun to glue the pom poms to the paper plate.
- If you make this craft, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
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