I like to keep my kids entertained over the holidays, but keeping them engaged for over five minutes? That can be a challenge! Not with this cardboard box Christmas tree, It’s FABULOUS.
Plus, we all know the house is flooded with boxes before and after Christmas. Now, we can put them to good repurposing use!
When I saw this cardboard box Christmas tree, I just knew we had to run to our recycle bin and get started immediately. I’m so excited to share this activity with you, including what you need and how to start.
Gather the boxes, kids. There is just no time to waste on this easy art project! Full transparency: I originally discovered this box Christmas tree @playexplorelearn, and it reminds me a lot of Barbara Rucci’s book, Cardboard Creations. These two accounts are just fantastic and worth a follow!
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Materials You Need
You probably have a lot of this already at home, and I’ll provide you links if you need some supplies for this amazing cardboard Christmas tree activity.
- Construction paper – I love giving my little ones a selection of different colored cards so they can experiment!
- Glue stick – you can’t stick on objects without glue, am I right?!
- Painter’s tape – (I mean, would it be our project without this?!). Use the tape to stick things down and make fake ribbons or tinsel!
- Ribbon scraps – you can get these at a local craft store. Pick up any scraps and add them to the decoration pile.
- Washable markers – kids love to scribble, and it’s excellent for prewriting!
- White paper construction paper – use the paper as cutouts for ornaments.
- White trays to keep all your decorations in one place – the white trays found at my grocery store. I believe they are outdoor serving trays.
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How to Set Up Your Cardboard Christmas Tree
Step 1. Grab the green paint and brushes.
Pour out the paint and put it next to the boxes – I added a little white to vary the shades of green on the boxes.
Step 2. Paint the boxes green.
My three and five-year-olds were all in to paint the biggest boxes first. They lasted a solid 20 minutes before realizing everything was green.
Step 3. Give your little ones a helping hand – if they need it!
I stepped in to complete the job, and it was, in fact, relaxing! I got lost in my thoughts, painting away.
Step 4. Let the paint dry.
Once the paint dried, I invited my boys to stack the boxes and make a cardboard box Christmas tree (you can secure the boxes together using painter’s tape).
Step 5. Stick on some paper lights.
I found some paper lights from years ago that we added!
Each light connects to a string with a tiny paperclip. Mine is good, but these here from Stubbornly Crafty are crazy cute!
Step 6. Add decorations
Give your child a selection of ribbons, colored cards, painter’s taps, markers…whatever you have in the house!
You can also make ornaments out of tissue paper!
Step 7. Join in!
I also wanted to join in on decorating!
Often, I sit back and try to answer a few emails when the kids are so engaged in an activity.
But this time, I just had to step in and join the fun. It was relaxing and a great way to bond with my boys before the chaos of the holidays.
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This Cardboard Christmas Tree is Incredible!
We have the cardboard tree on our dining room table, and it really adds the holiday charm we didn’t know we were missing. Another huge bonus is art activities like this are a wonderful benefit to kids for their creativity, literacy, fine and gross motor skills, and understanding.
Save your boxes. You must make this cardboard box Christmas tree with your family!
RELATED: Looking for more Christmas activities? We have 40+ Christmas activities here that will keep you going through the New Year; because, you know, the kids are home, and easy indoor activities are where it’s at.
Craving a calmer morning?
Breakfast Invitations are simple learning games that begin the day with play.
You Might Want to Try These
- Christmas Activity with Little Blue Truck
- Christmas Color Matching
- Christmas Lights Fine Motor Play
- Christmas Sticker Cups
- Jingle Bell Drop: a STEM Christmas Activity
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Frequently Asked Questions
Now is when the boxes you didn’t want to break down come in handy! Go to your garage and gather the boxes. Look for three different sizes. Next, invite your kids to paint them green. Once dry, you are ready to decorate the cardboard box Christmas tree.
They did with help. These boxes cover a lot of paint. They painted until they grew tired of painting and then I stepped in to help. Consider using a larger paintbrush to paint each box.
We gave this holiday decoration to my mom! She loves it and pulls it out every year with her decorations.
Equipment
- none
Materials
- construction paper
- glue stick
- painter's tape
- ribbon scraps
- washable markers
- white paper
Instructions
- Pour out the paint and put it next to the boxes – I added a little white to vary the shades of green on the boxes.
- Paint the boxes green.
- Help paint if needed.
- Let the paint dry.
- Glue on Christmas decorations.
