It’s important to teach children the importance of appreciating nature and showing them how much we care about the different kinds of plants and animals that inhabit it. Here is a list of tree and nature-inspired ideas to create and craft with any family, classroom or devoted crafter who wants to embrace all that is the great outdoors.
Crafts You Can Wear
1. Tree of Life Shirt
Let’s start with a cool t shirt, no-sew project that looks great on anyone in need of something new to wear. This Tree of Life design is cut out simply and quickly to give its creator a sharp top to wear without spending a lot of money. You can make it yourself by following the photo tutorial. Be sure to start with a high-quality, plain t shirt in your favorite color before you make this one.
2. Handprint Shirt
If you want to make some memorable shirts that your kids can keep forever, try this handprint shirt project. You’ll first paint their hands and ask them to stamp the trunk and branches of their tree right onto plain shirt. Then, let them use their fingers, a sponge or a nice fat brush to make the leaves in different colors. This is a quick and easy art project that all of them will love to wear. Be sure to get the right paints for your fabric, so your trees don’t disappear after one wash.
3. Fall Button Shirt
A beautiful design for an experienced sewer, this fall button shirt makes use of leftover buttons in an array of colors to celebrate nature and the beauty of fall. Start with a simple-yet-elegant brown trunk, then float the buttons above and around it to make a foliage illusion. This is a great look for a younger child, and he or she can decide what button should go where as you complete the design. Be sure to give your little one a box of buttons to play with while you sew — they’re so much fun to count and sort.
4. Bonus – Memory Tree Pillow
Not technically a wearable craft, but we still thought this memory tree pillow craft deserved a spot here on the list because it’s so darn cute. Gather up any old baby clothes, pants, blank t shirts and dresses that no one fits into anymore and cut out some soft tree shapes. Then add the trunks, sew them applique-style onto a pillow case and voila!
A memory pillow is yours for years to come. This beautiful piece will be a favorite decoration or cuddly thing in no time, as the leftover fabric gives it a familiar feel, and the design is sweet and inviting.
Jewelry Projects
Cloth can’t be the only way to express your love of trees. Here are some great ways to use your jewelry-making tools to celebrate the holiday and look great as you do it.
5. Tree of Life Pendant
After you have your cutout shirt, add this stylish tree of life pendant to the look. It uses basic wire manipulation skills to give you the look of a jewelry master in no time. Make it as big or as small as you like, but just be sure to wear it as often as possible. Everyone will ooh and aah over this great piece.
6. Pendant With Lapis Lazuli
This pendant project also calls for some off-white and black beads to make the strand. If you prefer a silver chain, that will look lovely as well. Make this one your own and then wear it anytime you need a moment of complete honesty with yourself or someone you love.
7. Free-Standing Wire Tree
Want to play a little with your needle-nose pliers, beads and wires but don’t want to wear them? Try this fun and lovely wire tree. Choose a nice rock for the base, (find a piece of white quartz to set off the colors), then wrap your wire around it and start sculpting. Use thicker wire for the base and thinner pieces for the branches. Decorate with sparkling beads or leave the tree bare and hang your earrings off the branches. Either way, it will look incredible.
Paper Crafts for All Ages
If a special day means it’s time to get out the finger paints or try some new ways to recycle, then plan one or more of these projects. The majority of them are kid-friendly and are a ton of fun.
8. Tissue Paper Tree
To make this tissue paper tree craft, you’ll first recycle an empty toilet paper roll into a tree trunk for the base of this simple-yet-beautiful tree. Grab some green tissue paper and then have a great time crumpling it up so that it can be the leaves of your creation. Little hands love this one because it comes together fast and looks very close to the real thing, thanks to the play on textures and colors. This project is also great for a classroom or daycare center.
9. Egg Carton Tree
An egg carton tree is another great art project that encourages kids to see everyday materials in a new way, this egg carton tree is perfect for an afternoon project. The egg carton cups are cut out into individual sections, painted green and then transformed into modernist leaves. Some brown paint and a sponge brush create the trunk. Fun, easy and beautiful, this one is a must.
10. Handprint Tree with Dots
If your younger family members or little students are an energetic bunch, try this handprint project in place of a traditional painting. Get them to paint their hands a trunk color and then stamp them onto the page. They can then use their fingertips to fill in the leaves. These aren’t the most traditional trees, but they’re full of energy and show the silly side of nature, while the kids paint.
11. A Giving Tree
A classic nature appreciation story can go a long way, for little ones. Try reading aloud all of or parts of The Giving Tree to start a conversation about what trees do for us and why to get everyone curious. Then, twist up some recycled paper to make a Giving Tree of your very own. This one was developed by homeschoolers, but it will work for any family or classroom. It’s a great project because it’s free-standing and looks good from any angle — perfect as a gift or a springtime keepsake.
12. Spring Tree Painting
At first glance this project may look a bit difficult to construct, but don’t fret! This cherry tree painting is a great chance for everyone to be creative and explore some new uses for everyday things.
In this project, kids paint the branches of a cherry tree by blowing black paint around with a straw and short burst of air. Their breath helps the paint spread in a natural, delicate way. Then, they add soft, pink cherry blossoms to their picture to complete the piece.
This is especially great if you live in an area with cherry trees. You can go out and look at the tree first, take some photos, say thank you to the trees, then pay homage with a painting. No cherry trees near you? Look at some pictures online for inspiration or use your imagination!
