| Provide a dry pinecone for each of your
children. Have them turn their pinecones into winter trees
by dabbing on thick green and white paint. While the paint
is still wet, let them sprinkle on salt for a "frosty"
Cut thin paper plates in half, then into fourths to make
triangular Christmas tree shapes (four per plate). Give
one to each of your children and have them color their
shapes with green markers. Then let them decorate their
trees by gluing on gift-wrap scraps, scraps of foil, and
star stickers. To complete, punch a hole in the top of
each tree and tie on a red ribbon hanger.
LEAF COUNTING PUZZLES
| Select five index cards and
cut each one into two interlocking puzzle pieces. On one
of the pieces, write a numeral from 1 to 5. On the other
piece, rubber-stamp that number of leaf shapes. Continue
until all five puzzles are complete. Then give the pieces
to your children and invite them to put the puzzles back
TREE SPRIG MATCH
At a Christmas tree lot, look for discarded sprigs of
different kinds of evergreen trees. Collect two springs
of each kind of tree. Later, mix up the sprigs and invite
your children to find the match-ups.
Take your children on a walk to look for interesting trees.
Point out deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves in the
fall) and evergreen trees (those that keep their leaves or needles
all year). Keep a record of the trees you see, and use the numbers
to make a chart when you return.
For each of your children, draw a bare tree with branches
on four pieces of paper. Let the children decorate their trees
to represent the four seasons by gluing on torn scraps of
• Fall: Red and yellow tissue scraps for leaves
• Winter: White tissue scraps for snow
• Spring: Pink tissue scraps for blossoms
• Summer: Green tissue scraps for leaves
Put each child's papers together to make a book, if you wish.
I'M A LITTLE FIR TREE
Tune: "I'm a Little Teapot"
I'm a little fir tree,
Short and stout. (Stand.)
See my bushy branches
All spread out. (Hold arms out at sides.)
Some trees drop their leaves
Down to the ground, (Flutter fingers to floor.)
But I have needles
All year round. (Hold fingers out straight.)
Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut tree shapes out of
bread slices. Tint cream cheese with green food coloring and
spread it onto the shapes. Invite your children to decorate
the trees with raisins, nuts, or fruit bits.
FOR ADDITIONAL TREE ACTIVITIES – See the Arbor Day unit at the Holiday Station.