Paper Plate Laced
Christmas Tree
By: Ailsa Gordon
This lovely Christmas tree activity allows the children to be creative and decorate their
own tree. It is a simple step by step process which supports children with developing the
concept of patterns and sequencing and, for older children, holes can be punched into the
paper plate sections for the children to thread ribbon for extra decoration. This activity
promotes creativity and individual effort as well as hand eye coordination, mathematics
and fine motor skills.
The children can begin by painting the paper plate a
colour of their choice. It is important to provide the
children with choice to develop independence. After
the paint has dried some adult assistance is required
to cut the paper plate into three pieces which will
form the tree.
The children can glue their tree sections in place and
decorate as required. A selection of materials can be
provided for decorations including sequins, glitter,
beads, stars, buttons, ribbon and coloured thread.
Remember to encourage the children to be creative
and allow individual expression. It is important for
practitioners to remember that children learn much
more from the process rather than the end product.