Loose Parts Stick Christmas Tree Art Project

Christmas art activities are some of my favorite projects to make with children! The colors and images of the season get children excited and engaged as the anticipation of Christmas day approaches. Today’s Christmas tree art project is inspired by a classic Fantastic Fun and Learning favorite, Winter Tree Nature Art Project. I’ve always loved the simplicity of the activity and its focus on using items from nature as art materials. Today in this Loose Parts Stick Christmas Tree Art Project we’ll build on this concept as little ones gather sticks from the yard and create whimsical Christmas trees adorned with small parts. 

Christmas Tree Facts for Kids

1. The most popular types of Christmas trees are fir, spruce, and pine. 
2. People may put up a real tree or an artificial tree during the holiday season.
3. Christmas trees are adorned with lights and ornaments.
4. At the top of the tree you can usually find an angel or a star.
5. One of the most famous Christmas trees can be found in Rockefeller Center in NYC.

Art and Nature

Sticks are a wonderful found object from nature that can be used as art supplies. They are often plentiful and just the right size for little fingers to pick up and manipulate. Today let your child explore their surroundings and go on a stick hunt to find an array of sticks of different sizes and varieties. Optional activity: Experiment using a stick as a paintbrush and paint a variety of lines and shapes on scrap paper. How does it compare to painting with a real paintbrush?

Materials  for Loose Parts Stick Christmas Tree Art Project

• Sticks
• White Elmers Glue
• Construction Paper
• Green Tempera Paint
• Gold Tempera Paint
• Yellow Tempera Paint
• Paintbrush
• Beads
• Pom Poms 
• Buttons
• Gems
• Cup
• Cardboard

Step By Step Directions for Twig Christmas Tree Art Project

1. Search & Find

Gather a variety of sticks from the yard. 

2. Snap & Paint

Snap the sticks into smaller twigs and paint them green. Let them dry.

3. Stamp & Hop

Let’s decorate the background paper. Dip the open end of a small plastic cup into gold tempera paint and print circles on white construction paper. Use a small rectangular shape of cardboard to print lines on the paper as well. Dip the cut end into yellow paint and stamp about. These unique painting techniques add interest and excitement to the background. 

4. Put Up the Tree!

Set up the Christmas tree with the larger twigs at the bottom of the tree and smaller twigs as you get to the top. Glue them in place with Elmer’s glue. Use an unpainted twig for the trunk.

5. Decorate the Tree!

Search the junk drawer for loose parts such as buttons, beads, and pom poms. Glue them on the tree to represent ornaments. Add a star on the top or a special gem. 

6. Frame it!

This art project would make a wonderful holiday gift. Use a simple black mat to display your work.

Talk About Art

1. Identify the parts of a Christmas tree, including the trunk, branches, and needles.
2. Identify the loose parts you used as ornaments.
3. Count the number of ornaments on your tree.
4. What painting technique did you enjoy the most, the paintbrush, cup, or cardboard?
5. Compare and contrast the tree you made today with the tree your family put up at home. How are they different? How are they the same?

Whether creating art at home or in the classroom, I hope you enjoy this art activity! Be sure to tag @fantasticfunandlearning and @youngschoolartwithmr.g on Instagram. We would love to see and share your work!

CONNECT WITH VIN GIANNETTO

Learn more about Vin here on his author bio page. Follow along with him on Facebook at Young School Art with Mr. Giannetto and on Instagram @youngschoolartwithmr.g for art project ideas.

MORE ART AND CRAFT PROJECT IDEAS FROM VIN

GET A FULL SET OF CHRISTMAS THEME PRESCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Explore the symbols and traditions of Christmas and incorporate reading, math, science and more in this 169-page preschool secular Christmas lesson plan set full of fun and playful Christmas learning activities for preschool. Watch this short video to see just a few examples of the types of activities and printables included in this set:

The 169-page Christmas Lesson Plan Set includes hands-on activities and these additional printables:

1) Beginning Letters Gift Sorting Game (in color and b/w)

2) Reindeer Math Mats (2 versions in color and b/w)

3) My Christmas Senses Activity Book Making Pieces

4) 0-35 Christmas Number Cards (2 versions in color and b/w)

5) Christmas Counting Syllables Sorting Game (in color and b/w)

6) Christmas Picture-Word Cards (in color and b/w)

7) Ornament Play Dough Mats

8) Candy Cane Play Dough Writing Task Cards (shapes, uppercase letters, lowercase letters, number 0-20)

9) Christmas Light Patterns Activity Pieces (in color and b/w)

Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.