This is something that I originally made back in 2001 when my kids were much younger. I put the original version that I made back then up on FamilyCorner.com and it’s been a very popular project every Thanksgiving. Since it was such a long time ago I decided to recreate the project in order to provide you all with a fresh tutorial that you can use to make this with your little ones!
RELATED: Check out this Thankful Tree for people of all ages to share what they’re thankful for this time of year!
A Child’s Thanksgiving Tree
Tree template
Thanksgiving Handprint Tree Craft
Supplies
- Construction paper: red orange, yellow, green, brown
- Cork bulletin board or poster board
- Pen
- Tree template
- Glue stick or thumbtacks
- Paint for border of bulletin board optional
- White paper to cover cork optional
Instructions
- This first step is optional. I painted the border of my bulletin board with brown paint and covered the cork with white paper because the cork was pretty well used. Again, completely optional.
- Trace children's hands on sheets of red, orange, green and yellow construction paper. Have kids right what they are thankful for on one side, and write their names and the year on the back side.
- Cut the tree from brown paper using the template. If you covered your cork with paper or if you used poster board, use a glue stick to attach the tree. If you are using a plain cork board, use thumbtacks to attach the tree.
- Use glue stick or thumbtacks to attach the hands to the tree.
- Use a piece of yellow construction paper as a border and a smaller piece of white paper glued on top of it, then write your family surname and "Kid's Thanksgiving Tree" (i.e. Formaro Kid's Thanksgiving Tree) with a black marker (see picture). Attach to the top of the bulletin board with glue stick.
- Display for everyone to see!
Amanda Formaro
Amanda Formaro is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years. She is also the editor for the Home & Garden channel at Craft Gossip and owner of FunFamilyCrafts.com.
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Amanda says
November 18, 2010 at 1:39 amThanks so much for the feature Sara!
Sara @ Mom Endeavors says
November 17, 2010 at 6:13 pmThis is adorable!! Thanks so much for sharing such a cute, yet meaningful project!
I featured it in my post here:
http://www.momendeavors.com/2010/11/fabulous-fall-leaves.html
Amanda says
November 13, 2010 at 2:00 amThank you everyone!
Sher says
November 11, 2010 at 5:21 pmlove it! can't wait to share the idea with my sisters, and make it on Turkey day!
Ambrosia says
November 11, 2010 at 3:36 pmSo cute! I shared this at http://fortheluvofboys.blogspot.com/2010/11/our-tree-of-thanksgiving.html
Sandy Ang says
November 6, 2010 at 2:38 pmSuch a fun idea with kids !
Baker Family says
November 6, 2010 at 12:27 pmSo cute, and I love the little hands :)
<3
Risa
TidyMom says
November 5, 2010 at 1:28 pmFABULOUS idea!!! Thanks for linking up!!
Amanda says
November 5, 2010 at 12:39 pmThanks you guys!
Jessica @ This Blessed Life says
November 5, 2010 at 12:33 pmThis is seriously darling!
JDaniel4's Mom says
November 5, 2010 at 11:12 amWhat a great way to share things you are thankful for.
Amanda says
November 3, 2010 at 8:20 pmThank you everyone!
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny says
November 2, 2010 at 4:24 amSuch a sweet project… thanks for sharing!
Jenny @ Embellishing Life says
November 1, 2010 at 11:01 pmLove this! You have the best ideas here!
http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/
Jennifer says
November 1, 2010 at 4:19 pmThis is so cute. I'm going to see if our girl scout leader wants to do this craft with the girls.
BodyLogique says
November 1, 2010 at 2:52 pmI love this idea!I am a children's Yoga teacher and one of the practices we do is gratitude-this project is not only great at Thanksgiving, but as a daily activity for kids to focus on Gratitude of what we have rather than lamenting over what we "have-not"
I'd like to re-post on my Facebook!(BodyLogique)
Thanks so much for your awesome ideas!
~Barbara Gini
creativejewishmom/sara says
November 1, 2010 at 8:04 amWonderful idea, thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!
Kathryn says
October 31, 2010 at 9:54 amI love this idea! Thanks for sharing this with us.
Maria says
October 31, 2010 at 2:31 amYou come up with the best ideas!