Paper Plate Christmas Tree
Christmas is the perfect time to get crafty, and this christmas tree paper plate craft is a fun and simple way to celebrate the season.
This paper plate christmas craft creates a cheerful holiday scene where kids can design their own background and build a christmas tree using torn paper.
It’s a wonderful christmas tree craft for kids of all ages, from preschoolers who love tearing paper to older children who enjoy adding extra details and decorations.
The best part is that no two trees will look the same, making each project a unique masterpiece.
This easy christmas craft is a hit at home, in preschool, or elementary school classrooms. It’s also a great party craft for holiday gatherings, keeping little hands busy while sparking creativity. Teachers and parents will love how simple the prep is, and kids will love getting to use paint, paper, and their imagination to make a festive decoration.
When to Make a Christmas Tree Paper Plate Craft
- At home during the holiday season: A perfect way to spend a cozy afternoon crafting while listening to Christmas music or watching holiday movies.
- In preschool or elementary classrooms: This project makes a wonderful bulletin board display. Each child’s christmas tree craft will look different, and together they create a magical holiday forest scene.
- At a holiday party: Set up a craft station with pre-cut supplies and let the kids design their own torn paper christmas craft as a festive activity.
- As a winter break activity: Keep kids busy and creative during school breaks with an easy and affordable project that uses basic supplies.
Why You’ll Love this Christmas Paper Plate Craft
This Christmas craft for kids is simple, affordable, and leaves plenty of room for creativity.
Children can experiment with different background colors to make a daytime or nighttime scene, decorate their trees however they like, and choose their own materials for snow or stars.
Because the steps are so easy, even preschoolers can participate with a little help. The result is a charming, festive project that families will treasure.
Variations for the Paper Plate Craft
- Paint the background dark blue or black and add glitter, sequins, or painted stars for a night scene.
- Use a light blue background for a cheerful daytime look.
- Swap paint for crayons, markers, or start with a colored party plate for a no-mess option.
- Instead of tearing the tree papers, use fun decorative shaped scissors
- Experiment with tree colors—try white and silver for a snowy tree, or even bright rainbow colors for something whimsical.
- Decorate the tree with sequins, pom-poms, stickers, buttons, or glitter.
- Use markers or paint to draw strings of lights and ornaments on the torn paper tree.
Tips and Tricks for the Christmas Tree Craft
- Younger kids may find tearing paper tricky—offer pre-torn pieces in different shades of green.
- Use thick paper or cardstock for sturdier trees.
- If painting the paper plate, allow it to dry completely before gluing the torn paper pieces.
- For snow, try puffy paint, white buttons, glitter, cotton balls, or small pom-poms.
- Display finished crafts on the fridge, mantle, or classroom bulletin board for festive décor.
Make a Paper Plate Christmas Tree Scene
With just a paper plate, some torn paper, and a few craft supplies, you’ll be ready to make your own festive christmas tree paper plate craft. Grab the free printable pattern, gather your supplies, and follow along with our step-by-step directions to bring your holiday scene to life.
Materials:
- Paper Plate
- Pom Poms
- Glitter Glue
- Blue Craft Paint
- Cardstock or Craft Paper– Light Green, Medium Green, Dark Green, Brown, White, Yellow
- Craft Glue and/or a Glue Stick
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Printed Pattern
Instructions:
Paint the inside of the paper plate with light blue craft paint.
Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.
Download and print the Christmas tree patterns, then cut out with scissors.
Trace the tree pattern onto the inside of the paper plate with a pencil.
Cut out the tree pattern with scissors.
Cut wide, medium, and thin strips of light green, medium green, and dark green craft paper with scissors.
Tear the edges of the light green strips to create a tree branch look. Flip the paper plate over on your work surface.
Attach torn light green strips to the back of the paper plate with a glue stick or craft glue.
Continue to layer on the medium green and dark green strips in a random fashion, securing with glue.
Trace the star on yellow paper, trace the tree trunk on brown paper, and trace the snow onto white paper with a pencil.
Cut out the patterns with scissors.
Attach the star, tree trunk and snow to the paper plate using glue.
Glue white tinsel pom poms around the Christmas tree to represent snowflakes.
To finish, add glitter glue accents to the star, snow and tree. Set aside to allow the glitter glue to dry.
This torn paper christmas craft is easy, fun, and full of possibilities for creative expression. Whether you’re making it with preschoolers, older kids, or at a holiday party, this christmas tree craft is sure to bring smiles and festive cheer. Set aside an afternoon, gather your supplies, and enjoy making your very own paper plate christmas craft to celebrate the season.
Looking for more holiday craft ideas? Try these fun projects too:
- Origami Christmas Tree Ornament Craft – a simple paper folding project kids and adults will enjoy.
- Craft Stick and Yarn Christmas Tree Ornament Craft – a colorful and textured handmade ornament.
- DIY Felt Christmas Tree Ornament – a beginner-friendly sewing project that makes a keepsake holiday decoration.
