Crafts & Fun

Cut a triangle from green felt about 9 cm (3½ in.) tall by 8 cm (3 in.) wide. No felt? Craft foam or construction paper will work fine too. Now give your child a little white glue in a shallow dish and some small pompoms from the craft department, about 5 cm (½ in.) in diameter. He can dip them in craft glue and attach to the branches of the tree. Attach a length of magnetic tape to the back for a fridge decoration, or tape a few onto a window or wall for a tiny forest.

If you have pine cones, look for one that will stand up like a little tree. Dry it in a very low oven, cool it and let your child paint it with green tempera paint using an art sponge (it’s pretty in its natural colour too). When it’s dry, show your child how to dip the pompoms in glue and attach them to the pine cone boughs. A little group of these makes a pretty table decoration. Or you can attach a string and hang it from a bigger tree.

Originally published in Today's Parent, Family Living, Winter 2004