Christmas Tree Finger Paint Kids' Art Activity

The other day I bought a bag of Christmas cookie cutters while shopping. I’m not the best from-scratch baker, so I was kind of thinking that I’d use them for crafting instead of cooking. As I sat staring at the tree-shaped molds I started think of a common problem that the children who I’ve taught always bring up. The “I can’t draw that!!!!!” complaint.

 

It’s true. A 4-year-old can’t draw or paint in the same way as an adult. That shouldn’t be a ‘problem’ when it comes to making art. Sometimes I have the kiddos start with simple shapes and then combine them. For example, a house is a square with a triangle on top. Other times, we may use stencils to help. The one thing that I never, ever, ever, ever (did I say ever enough?) do is to draw for the child. Whether I’m making art with my own child or teaching other parents’ kids, I always encourage and allow the child to make his own art.

This time, the ‘help’ provided is in the form of a Christmas tree cookie cutter. Your child can paint within the frame of the mold, but still add his own unique touch. Just because you’re using a cookie cutter doesn’t mean that this art activity has to be “cookie cutter.” Prompt your child to make his tree his own. Give him a variety of paint colors to choose from. If he goes for the blue instead of the green, let him go with it. He knows that trees have green leaves (or in this case needles).

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·        A Christmas tree shaped cookie cutter

·        Card stock paper

·        Tempera paint

·        A Pipe cleaner

·        Glitter (optional)

Here’s What to Do:

1.     Pour the paint into golf ball-sized pools on a palette or (my favorite) a piece of wax paper.

2.     Place the cookie cutter on the card stock paper.
 

3.     Finger paint inside the tree. Have your child paint a solid color first. He can also add a second color for the tree’s stump.
 

4.     Dip the end of a pipe cleaner into other paint colors. Your child can dot on the paint to make ornaments.
 

 

 

5.     Sprinkle glitter on the paint. Make sure that the paint is still wet so that it sticks. Pull the cookie cutter off to reveal the painting.
 

Your child can also cut the tree out. He can use a hole punch to make a hole at the top of the tree, and then string a ribbon through it to make a Christmas ornament.
Another option is to add it to a holiday collage!

Are you looking for more Christmas crafts? Follow my Pinterest board for ideas!

Follow Mini Monets and Mommies's board Winter Activities for Kids on Pinterest.