In honor of Tu BiShvat, the Jewish holiday celebrated as an ecological awareness day, the children in Group 3 embarked on a creative journey, designing and crafting their own two-dimensional trees!
The excitement was palpable as the children dove into the project, especially when they discovered the magic of manipulating tissue paper to create wonderfully “fluffy” treetop effects. It was a joy to watch their imaginations blossom as they brought their unique tree visions to life.
Recreate this festive activity
- Materials:
- Paper towel rolls
- Construction paper (various colors)
- Assorted textured papers (e.g., crepe paper, corrugated cardboard, felt, craft foam)
- Tissue paper (various colors)
- Glue
- Scissors (optional, for pre-cutting textured paper)
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Cut the paper towel rolls in half. Each half will serve as the tree trunk.
- Attach the trunks: Glue the paper towel roll halves vertically onto the construction paper. Allow time for the glue to dry.
- Add texture: Encourage the children to explore the different textured papers. They can cut or tear the paper into various shapes and sizes and glue them onto the paper towel roll trunks. This step allows for individual expression and exploration of textures.
- Create the foliage: This is where the “fluffy” magic happens! Have the children scrunch different colors of tissue paper in their hands, creating small, cloud-like shapes. Then, using glue, they can attach these tissue paper “clouds” to the upper half of the construction paper, forming the branches and foliage of their trees.
- Personalize and design: Allow each child ample time to design and create their own unique version of a two-dimensional tree. They can experiment with different colors, textures, and arrangements to express their creativity.
Time
This project takes approximately 40 minutes to complete
Tips for Success
- Pre-cut some textured paper shapes for younger children to make the process easier.
- Provide a variety of colors and textures to spark creativity.
- Encourage children to discuss their design choices and the different textures they are using.
- This activity can be adapted for different age groups by adjusting the complexity of the shapes and techniques.
This Tu BiShvat tree project is a wonderful way to celebrate nature, foster creativity, and introduce children to basic design principles. It’s an engaging learning experience with various colors, textures, and elements of design that they will surely cherish!