Ribbon Christmas Tree Craft-Advent Day 17

We took it slow and easy today. The buddies who join us were a bit sick, and Tinker was a little worn out from our exciting weekend. And although I know I can’t express it well in words, I have a heavy heart and am just reflecting a lot right now. There was a lot of lounging, snuggling, movie time, and quiet play today.

This simple ribbon Christmas tree craft was a perfect compliment to our day. We are making ribbon trees that will be on the front of a few holiday cards that the kids will finish on Wednesday. I cut the ribbons in 1/2 inch increments. Then the kids got a little math practice as they put them in order from longest to shortest starting at the bottom. We also incorporated a little science by talking about the properties of the ribbons. Some are smooth. Others are bumpy. Some are sparkly, and some are dull. The kids are hearing and using a lot of wonderful vocabulary along the way.

We started this morning and every now and then the kids came over to make a new tree.  We made as many as they felt like throughout the day, and I am sure the kids will love adding their own drawings and stickers to the inside of the cards later this week.

Ribbon Christmas Tree Craft

GET A FULL WEEK OF CHRISTMAS THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE PRESCHOOL CHRISTMAS LESSON PLANS.

Check out these links for more ribbon Christmas tree inspiration.

Joyfully Weary gives a great description of the math learning that goes along with this craft.

The craft at Mrs. Lee’s Kindergarten incorporates dot painting white snow with Q-tips.

What Christmas tree crafts are you doing this year?

GET A FULL SET OF CHRISTMAS THEME 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.

Hands-On Holidays eBook-Get even more inspiration for your advent calendar. 

Less stress, more connecting this holiday season? Yes, PLEASE!

From the arrival of fall to Halloween to Thanksgiving and Christmas, the last four months of the year can be a wonderful opportunity for making family memories and spending time together, but they can also be stressful as we try to collect ideas, recipes, and activities to try together.

Stephanie Morgan, founder of Modern Parents Messy Kids, a site that’s been voted Best Craft Blog in Parents Magazine and one of babble.com’s Top 50 Craft Mom Blogs, recently released a new eBook to help us have a little less stress and more time to connect with family this year.

Stephanie’s goal is to make it easier on all of us to enjoy the holidays with our kids. Hands-On Holidays is 100 pages full of her family’s very favorite ways to connect as a family over the holiday season. I love the convenience of having so many ideas in one place, and most of them are simple enough for even my toddler to participate in.

The book includes picture book suggestions, DIY decor, activities, and treats. Bonus sections also offer even more ideas to enjoy. Click here to view more details.