Our table turns into a craft zone every December, and this paper plate Christmas tree craft is one we make every single year. Three painted plate wedges stack into a tree, and a hole punch turns scrap paper into a pile of ornaments.
It’s quick, a little messy in the best way, and every tree comes out different. Perfect for a class holiday party or a cozy afternoon at home.
What You Need for This Paper Plate Christmas Tree Craft
Christmas Tree Paper Plate Craft (visual directions + template)
Get the printablePaper plates
View on AmazonGreen paint
View on AmazonPaintbrush
View on AmazonKid scissors
View on AmazonGlue stick
View on AmazonBrown and yellow construction paper
View on AmazonScrap paper in bright colors
View on AmazonHole punch
View on AmazonBlack marker
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💡 Make it a garland
Make a few small trees and string them together across a window or mantel for an easy kid-made holiday garland.
How to Make a Paper Plate Christmas Tree
Cut the plate into wedges
Draw lines to divide the plate into three wedges and cut them out. These are the branches, and wonky cuts only add charm.
Paint the branches green
Paint each wedge green, leaving a thin white edge along the curve for snow. Let them dry.
Stack the tree
Stack the three wedges from largest to smallest and glue them so they overlap a little.
Cut the trunk and star
Cut a brown rectangle for the trunk and a yellow star for the top. Use the template or freehand them.
Glue on the trunk and star
Glue the trunk to the bottom and the star to the top. Now it really looks like a Christmas tree.
Punch the ornaments
Use a hole punch on scrap paper to make a pile of colorful circles. Kids love this part, so expect a lot of circles.
Decorate
Glue the circles on as ornaments. Some kids space them out evenly, others go for “more is more.” Both are perfect.
Ways to Use It
- Hang it on the fridge or front door
- Make a whole forest for a classroom bulletin board
- Glue a photo in the middle for a gift for grandparents
- Use it as a counting game: how many ornaments did you add?
More paper plate crafts
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Paper Plate Christmas Tree Craft for Preschool, Pre-K and Kindergarten
Preschool
Paint, glue and decorate. You handle the tricky cutting, and kids point to each picture step as they go.
Pre-K
Trace the template and cut the straight lines. Follow the visual steps in order.
Kindergarten and up
Cut out every piece, add their own details, and retell the steps in order.
Get the Printable Visual Directions
Doing this with a group? The printable has picture steps for every part of the Christmas tree, plus a template you can trace.
What’s included
- A picture supply list
- Visual step-by-step directions
- Photo step cards
- A printable template
- Instant PDF download, nothing is shipped
Perfect for
- Preschool and kindergarten classrooms
- Special education and speech therapy
- Following directions practice
- Thematic units
- Homeschool art time
Paper Plate Christmas Tree Craft FAQ
Use a sturdy plate and don’t overload the paint. Let the pieces dry flat before stacking and gluing.
Ages 3 to 6. Preschoolers paint and glue with a little help, and kindergartners can trace and cut the pieces themselves.
Yes. Crayons, markers or torn construction paper work too and are less messy.
You can freehand the pieces, but the template and picture steps help kids work on their own and make it easy to do with a class.
More Crafts with Visual Directions
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From families like yours
Did you try it? Tell us how it went!
We love seeing these activities out in the wild: the lumpy letters, the snack breaks, the proud “I made a B!” moments. Leave a star rating, tell other parents what worked (and what totally didn’t), and add a photo of your setup if you’d like.
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