By Amanda Formaro
http://familycorner.com
Just mentioning the word "Thanksgiving" often conjures up memories for many.
Traditions are relived and new ones are born on this
joyous family holiday. Why not start a new one with your children with this fun
and simple activity.
To make your own Thanksgiving Tree you will need the following:
Materials
sheet of white poster board
pencil
tempera paint, markers or crayons
construction paper in red, yellow, green and orange
markers
scissors
glue or tape
glitter glue (optional)
Variation: This project can also be easily adapted to a cork board
(see photo) by simply using colored push pins to match the leaves.
Use brown construction paper to make the tree trunk.
You may draw the tree trunk freehand or print out our template
by clicking here:
http://www.thefamilycorner.com/family/leisure/thankstree.shtml
At the top of the posterboard, entitle your tree "Smith Kids
Thanksgiving Tree", inserting your family surname in the title.
With a pencil on poster board, draw a basic tree with a branch
for each child in the family. If you only have 1-2 children, it might
be fun to include two or three branches for each child.
Using tempera paint, markers, or crayons color the tree trunk brown.
On red, orange, green and yellow construction paper, trace 10 copies
of each child's hand. Cut out and give each child their "leaves".
Each child writes one thing that they are thankful for on each leaf
(grown ups can help if needed!). You may decorate the leaves with
glitter glue if you like. Next, tape or glue the leaves onto their
designated branches.
This makes a great activity to keep kids happy during a large family
gathering. Hint: Make the base ahead of time for quick start up.
Hang up the Thanksgiving Tree where the whole family can see it.
Makes a great conversation piece! Later, after dinner, have the
children present their tree to the family gathered around. Each
child tells what they are thankful for and why.
For added fun, make additional posterboard bases up ahead of
time so that the rest of the family can add their leaves as well.
Have supplies at the ready!
Amanda Formaro, President
Phone 702-433-6009 * Fax 702-433-2040
FamilyCorner.com Magazine, Inc.
http://www.familycorner.com
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