Hand Print Christmas Tree Craft

Here is a project Mia and I did last year when she was 2 1/2. This craft is one that older kids can do independently, but younger children will need a lot of help if they aren't very good at tracing or cutting neatly. I do not remember the source where I found the idea originally, but here is one example that includes a template with printable ornaments for you to add to the tree, if you wish.

Materials:

• green construction paper
• brown construction paper
• yellow construction paper
• pencil
• scissors
• glue
• pom poms (or sequins, beads, buttons, etc.)

Directions:

1. Take a brown sheet of construction paper (We actually used black since we didn't have brown) and fold it like a "hot dog" (the long way). With the paper still folded, draw half a triangle with the top point meeting on the fold and leaving about an inch or two at the bottom of the paper. Draw a line for the base of the triangle and then down to make half a rectangle. Cut out your tree shape.
2. Trace child's hand several times onto green construction paper and then cut out the hand prints. We used two different shades because that is what we had, and I think it gives the tree some added dimension. We used 14 hand prints for our tree, but you may need more or less depending upon the size of your child's hand and the size of paper you use for the tree. (Tip: Instead of tracing Mia's hand over and over, I traced it once, cut out the hand print, and then used it as a template. This time-saver is especially helpful if your child is young and has a short attention span!)
3. Arrange hand print cut outs on top of the tree shape. When you are happy with the arrangement, glue them down. I like the fingers pointing outward to look like branches. (Tip: Make sure to put glue on the side with pencil marks so it looks neater.)
4. Draw a star on yellow construction paper, cut it out, and then glue it on top of the tree.
5. Decorate your tree as desired. We used pom poms for ornaments, but you could use sequins, buttons, beads, or similar items. Make sure that all glue is dry before displaying your hand print Christmas tree.