Kid's Craft: Painted Christmas Trees

I love wandering around craft stores (like Michaels) and finding crafts I can do with the kids. With it being so close to Christmas, most - if not all of the Christmas items are discounted. As I was checking out wood ornaments for the kids to paint, I found these beauties.


The display showed them painted, using a mini light kit to light the tree up. It was cute, but not all that crafty. I grabbed two and stuffed them into my hand basket. I idiotically never get a cart. I figure if I grab one of those little hand baskets I won't be able to fill it with too much craft "stuff". Instead I walk around half dragging a little teeny basket overflowing with...things. (Not really the word I was going to put in there, but you get the idea.)

I knew I wanted to paint them "Christmas Tree Green" and was amazed to find "Christmas Green" acrylic paint. I wandered over to the jingle bells and picked up a pack of little bells. Then I found what I think is "filler" for vases. Not really sure, I just knew I could use them to decorate the giant wood trees.


If you are looking to keep the kids busy before the Christmas melee starts, try this craft. For children that have difficulty holding a paintbrush, pick up a foam roller brush. (The wide handle is easier for children to hold and control.)

Materials:
Wood tree(s)
Green acrylic paint
Roller brush
Jingle bells, balls, mini tree decorations, buttons etc.

Step 1:
Paint entire tree with acrylic paint. Allow to dry. Go over any uneven areas.


Step 2:
Glue embellishments on. (I used a glue gun, but you can use craft glue.) I filled the holes with glue and while closely supervising (the glue is very hot!), I allowed the kids to place their bell, button, ball on top of the filled hole.


Step 3:
Allow to dry. Pull off any glue gun webs. Have your children sign and date the bottoms. Now you have a Christmas decoration that you can use every year!


P.S. Santa if you are reading this, it's really not to late to get me a new digital camera. Anything that that isn't being held together with duct tape would be perfect!

Daniele