The holiday season is a wonderful time for creativity and self-expression, especially for kids! One delightful way to celebrate this festive time is by creating a colorful Christmas tree art project. This engaging activity not only allows children to explore their artistic skills but also encourages them to embrace the spirit of the season.

In this project, kids will paint their very own Christmas tree using vibrant colors, bringing their unique vision of the holiday to life. To add an extra sparkle and personal touch, they will decorate their trees with self-adhesive gemstones, creating a dazzling effect that captures the joy and magic of Christmas. This fun and interactive art project is perfect for young artists, providing an opportunity for them to express their creativity while developing fine motor skills and enhancing their understanding of color and design. Let’s get started on crafting a beautiful masterpiece that will brighten up any holiday celebration!

Materials You Can Use

• Multimedia paper (or marbled paper)
• Metallic tempera paint
• Gemstones (various sizes & colours)
• Glitter (Various colours)
• Popsicle stick
• Paintbrush size 8
• Paint palette
• Liquid glue
• Water jar

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Using a pencil, ask your students to lightly draw a guideline starting 3 cm from the top to 3 cm from the bottom. They can imagine this line as being the trunk of their Christmas tree.

Step 2

Using a paintbrush dipped in colourful metallic tempera paint, they will paint short, slightly curvy strokes creating the boughs of their evergreen tree.

Step 3

They will continue with different colours until their tree begins to take shape.

Step 4

They will paint many boughs to make their evergreen tree look healthy and strong.

Step 5

Once all their branches have been painted, sprinkle glitter on their wet paint. They can now add many rhinestone stickers and glitter stickers to decorate their tree.

Step 6

With a popsicle stick, they can apply liquid glue at the very bottom, below the last branches, where their truck meets the ground. While the glue is wet, they will cover it with a large amount of glitter.

Writing Component

Incorporating a writing component into your colorful Christmas tree art project can enhance the overall experience for kids, allowing them to express their thoughts, feelings, and creativity in words. Here are some fun prompt ideas that can complement this art activity:

• Describe a magical night when your Christmas tree comes to life. What adventures does it go on? Who does it meet?
• Create a story about one of your ornaments that gets lost during the holiday season. How does it find its way back to the tree?
• Write down how you made your colorful Christmas tree. What materials did you use? What steps did you follow?
• Imagine your Christmas tree could talk. Write a story from its perspective, sharing its thoughts about the decorations and the family traditions it witnesses each year.
• Write about a unique tradition your family has when decorating the Christmas tree. Why is this tradition important to you?
•  Imagine what your Christmas tree dreams about at night. Write a short story about its dreams and aspirations.
• Describe what happens to your Christmas tree after the holiday season is over. How does it feel as the decorations come down?
• Imagine that your Christmas tree can give one special gift to each family member. What would those gifts be and why?

Displaying Art

Displaying your Christmas tree art and accompanying stories for the whole school to see can be a festive and engaging way to celebrate the holiday season. Here are four creative ideas to showcase your students’ artwork and writing:

1. Art Gallery Walk

• Setup: Transform a hallway or common area into an art gallery. Use string or ribbon to hang the Christmas tree art pieces at eye level, creating a visually appealing display.
• Incorporation of Stories: Attach students’ written stories or reflections next to their artwork. Consider using decorative frames or colorful paper to make the stories stand out.

2. Interactive Display Board

• Setup: Create a large bulletin board dedicated to the Christmas tree project. Use a festive background and arrange the art pieces in a tree shape.
• Incorporation of Stories: Include envelopes or pockets where students can place their stories or letters about their trees. This allows other students and visitors to read and engage with the content.

3. Digital Presentation

• Setup: Create a digital slideshow or video compilation featuring photos of the Christmas tree art along with audio recordings of students reading their stories.
• Incorporation of Stories: Share this digital presentation during school assemblies or on the school’s website, allowing a wider audience to appreciate the students’ creativity.

4. Community Art Walk

• Setup: Partner with local businesses or community centers to display the Christmas tree art in public spaces.
• Incorporation of Stories: Provide printed copies of students’ stories that can be placed alongside the artwork, encouraging community members to read and reflect on the students’ work.

By implementing these ideas, you can create an engaging and festive atmosphere that showcases your students’ creativity while fostering a sense of community within your school during the holiday season!

Like our Dazzling Christmas Tree art project?

Try our complete step-by-step version with our spotlight on Christmas, a fun extended learning opportunity and practice exercises. Enjoy!

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