This adorable paper plate Christmas tree craft is a fun and easy holiday activity for preschool and kindergarten kids! Made with painted paper plates, colorful pom-poms, and a bright yellow star, this cute and chubby Christmas tree is perfect for little hands and festive classroom displays.
Paper Plate Christmas Tree Craft
Looking for a fun and easy paper plate Christmas tree craft to make with kids? This adorable Christmas craft uses painted paper plates, colorful pom-poms, and construction paper to create a cute, chubby Christmas tree that’s perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary-aged children.
It’s an inexpensive, hands-on holiday activity that helps strengthen fine motor skills, encourages creativity, and makes an adorable Christmas decoration!
Easy Paper Plate Christmas Tree Craft
If you’re looking for an easy Christmas craft that kids will love making, this paper plate Christmas tree is a great choice!
I especially love the cute, chubby shape of this Christmas tree. Instead of carefully measuring and cutting paper plates into different sizes, we simply cut three pieces that were roughly the same size, painted them green, and layered them together.
The result is a full, slightly imperfect Christmas tree that’s absolutely charming!
Once the painted paper plates are dry, children can decorate their trees with colorful pom-poms and finish them with a bright yellow star.
We used a mixture of pink, purple, blue, orange, yellow, and green pom-poms to decorate ours. But you can use any colors you have available.
This is one of those Christmas crafts that works beautifully as a classroom art project, holiday party activity, or a fun afternoon of crafting at home.
And because every child gets to decorate their own tree, no two Christmas trees will look exactly alike!
Why We Love This Paper Plate Christmas Tree Craft
There are so many reasons this easy Christmas tree craft is a great addition to your holiday activity plans.
- Budget-friendly: Paper plates, paint, construction paper, and pom-poms are inexpensive supplies you probably already have in your craft stash.
- Fine motor practice: Painting, cutting, gluing, and positioning small pom-poms help strengthen little hands.
- Creative expression: Children can choose their favorite colors and decorate their Christmas trees however they like.
- Preschool-friendly: The paper plate sections can be prepared ahead of time for younger children who are still learning to use scissors.
- Perfect for classrooms: These colorful Christmas trees look adorable displayed on bulletin boards, classroom doors, and holiday art walls.
- No perfect shapes required: The slightly uneven, chubby shape is part of what makes this Christmas craft so cute!
Supplies You’ll Need
You only need a handful of basic craft supplies to make this colorful paper plate Christmas tree.
- Printable template – get our free template at the bottom of this blog post
- 2–3 white paper plates – we used 9″ plates
- Green washable tempera paint
- Paintbrush
- Assorted colorful pom-poms
- Construction paper in yellow and brown
- Scissors
- Liquid school glue or craft glue
- Pencil
How to Make a Paper Plate Christmas Tree
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to make your own adorable Christmas tree using paper plates and pom-poms.
Step 1: Cut the Paper Plates
Start by cutting your paper plates into three triangle sections that are approximately the same size.
There’s no need to measure carefully or worry about making each section progressively smaller.
We kept ours roughly the same size, which gives the finished Christmas tree its adorable, chubby appearance!
The curved paper plate edges help create the appearance of layered Christmas tree branches.
Teacher tip: If you’re making this Christmas craft with preschoolers, consider cutting the paper plates ahead of time. This makes the activity easier for younger children and allows them to focus on painting and decorating.
Step 2: Paint the Paper Plates Green
Next, have children paint all three paper plate sections using green washable tempera paint.
Encourage them to cover the entire surface, including the raised edges of the plates.
Don’t worry about getting perfectly even paint coverage. The visible brushstrokes add texture and give the finished Christmas tree a lovely handmade appearance.
Once all three sections are painted, set them aside to dry completely.
Tip: We used traditional Christmas tree green, but you could also experiment with light green, dark green, or even different shades of green for each section.
Step 3: Assemble the Christmas Tree
Once the paint has dried, it’s time to assemble your Christmas tree!
Arrange the three painted paper plate sections vertically, overlapping them slightly to create the shape of a Christmas tree.
Start with the bottom section and work your way upward, positioning each piece so the curved edges resemble layers of Christmas tree branches.
We love how the similarly sized sections create a full, rounded Christmas tree rather than a perfectly symmetrical one.
Once you’re happy with the arrangement, glue the overlapping sections together.
Press gently to secure the pieces and allow the glue to dry.
Step 4: Add the Christmas Tree Trunk
Trace and cut the trunk shape from brown construction paper to create the tree trunk.
Apply a little glue to the top of the rectangle and attach it to the back of the bottom paper plate section.
Make sure enough of the brown rectangle extends below the tree to create a visible trunk.
Press gently to secure it in place.
Step 5: Decorate With Colorful Pom-Poms
Now comes my favorite part – decorating the Christmas tree!
Give children a selection of colorful pom-poms in different sizes.
Encourage them to arrange the pom-poms across the green paper plate sections to look like colorful Christmas ornaments.
We used a fun mixture of bright pink, purple, blue, orange, yellow, and green pom-poms.
But you can use any colors you like!
Once children are happy with their arrangements, have them glue each pom-pom into place.
A small amount of liquid school glue or tacky craft glue works well for this step.
Fine motor tip: Picking up and positioning small pom-poms is a wonderful way to practice hand-eye coordination, finger strength, and fine motor control.
For younger preschoolers, larger pom-poms are easier to handle.
Step 6: Add a Yellow Christmas Star
Every Christmas tree needs a star on top!
Trace and cut the five-point star from yellow construction paper or cardstock.
Apply a small amount of glue to the back of the star and attach it to the very top of your Christmas tree.
Press gently to secure it in place.
Allow the glue to dry completely before picking up or displaying your finished craft.
And that’s it!
Your adorable paper plate Christmas tree craft is complete and ready to display!
Tips for Making This Christmas Craft With Preschoolers
This easy paper plate Christmas tree craft can be adapted for different ages and abilities.
Prepare the paper plates ahead of time. If you’re working with younger preschoolers, cut the paper plate sections before beginning the activity.
Don’t worry about perfect shapes. The beauty of this craft is its cute, slightly chubby appearance. The paper plate sections don’t need to be identical or perfectly symmetrical.
Use larger pom-poms. Bigger pom-poms are easier for younger children to pick up and glue.
Offer a variety of colors. Let children choose their favorite pom-pom colors instead of requiring everyone to decorate their trees the same way.
Allow plenty of drying time. Let the paint dry before assembling the Christmas tree, and give the glue enough time to set before displaying the finished craft.
Learning Benefits of This Christmas Tree Craft
One of my favorite things about simple Christmas crafts is how easily they can support important early childhood learning skills.
This paper plate Christmas tree craft offers plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning.
Fine Motor Skills
Painting, cutting, gluing, and placing small pom-poms help children develop the hand strength and coordination they’ll eventually use for writing, drawing, and other everyday tasks.
Color Recognition
As children decorate their Christmas trees, encourage them to identify the different pom-pom colors.
You can also ask them to find specific colors or sort the pom-poms into groups before decorating.
Counting Practice
Turn this Christmas craft into a simple counting activity!
Have children count the ornaments as they glue them onto their trees.
You can also ask questions like:
- How many red ornaments are on your tree?
- How many blue ornaments did you use?
- Which color has the most ornaments?
- How many ornaments are on your Christmas tree altogether?
Pattern Recognition
Older preschoolers and kindergarteners can create simple patterns using their pom-poms.
For example, encourage them to alternate red and yellow ornaments or create a repeating pattern using three different colors.
Creative Expression
There is no right or wrong way to decorate these Christmas trees!
Allowing children to choose their colors and arrange their ornaments independently encourages creativity, decision-making, and confidence.
Download Instructions
Ready to give this paper plate Christmas tree craft a try?
Getting your hands on our paper plate Christmas tree craft template is easy. Fill out the form at the bottom of this post and click the “Send Me the Printable” button.
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Still having trouble downloading our paper plate Christmas tree craft template Check out this step-by-step download guide with images!
Please note: This printable is for personal and classroom use only. Redistribution, resale, or uploading the files to other websites or shared platforms is not permitted.
Christmas Tree Books to Pair With This Craft
I love pairing children’s books with hands-on crafts, especially during the holidays!
Reading a Christmas tree-themed picture book before making this craft is a wonderful way to extend the activity and encourage conversations about Christmas traditions.
Here are a few of our favorite Christmas tree books for preschool and kindergarten.
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree is my top pick for this paper plate Christmas tree craft!
This charming Christmas story follows a tree that gets trimmed again and again, with each smaller piece finding a new home.
It’s a sweet holiday read-aloud that pairs beautifully with a craft made from layered paper plate sections.
After reading, invite children to make and decorate their very own Christmas trees.
The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll
The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever is a fun holiday story about two mice searching for the perfect Christmas tree.
This festive picture book is a great choice for preschool and kindergarten Christmas storytime.
The Little Christmas Tree by Dugald Steer
The Little Christmas Tree is another sweet holiday book to enjoy before making your paper plate Christmas trees.
After reading, encourage children to talk about what makes their own Christmas tree special.
Christmas Classroom Bulletin Board Idea
If you’re making this paper plate Christmas tree craft with a preschool or kindergarten class, they would look absolutely adorable displayed together on a Christmas bulletin board!
I love the idea of using the heading:
“Oh Christmas Tree!”
Cover your bulletin board with festive scrapbook paper or a simple winter background.
Then arrange the finished paper plate Christmas trees across the board.
Because every child will choose their own pom-pom colors and decorations, you’ll end up with a cheerful collection of Christmas trees that are all a little different.
You could even have children write their names on small paper stars or gift tags to display beside their trees.
These colorful Christmas trees would also look adorable decorating a classroom door, school hallway, or holiday art wall.
More Christmas Crafts and Activities for Kids
Looking for more fun and easy Christmas crafts for kids? Here are some of our favorite holiday activities for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary-aged children.
These festive Christmas crafts are perfect for classroom art projects, holiday parties, December morning tubs, and screen-free fun at home.
Christmas Handprint Wreath Craft
This adorable Christmas handprint wreath craft is a sweet way to turn little handprints into a festive holiday decoration.
It’s a fun Christmas keepsake craft that parents will love displaying year after year.
Christmas Gift Name Craft
Help children practice spelling their names with this colorful Christmas gift name craft.
This festive holiday activity combines creativity with important early literacy skills, making it perfect for preschool and kindergarten classrooms.
Christmas Light Suncatchers
Brighten up your classroom windows with these colorful Christmas light suncatchers.
They’re a fun Christmas craft that creates beautiful holiday window decorations when the sunlight shines through.
Christmas Tree Name Craft
If your kids love Christmas trees, they’ll have so much fun making this Christmas tree name craft.
It’s a hands-on Christmas activity that helps preschoolers and kindergarteners practice name recognition, letter identification, and spelling.
Christmas Tree Suncatcher Craft
Another fun Christmas tree activity!
This colorful Christmas tree suncatcher craft is a wonderful way to decorate windows for the holidays.
Pair it with our paper plate Christmas tree craft for a fun Christmas tree-themed art day.
Popsicle Stick Christmas Crafts
Looking for even more easy Christmas craft ideas?
Check out our collection of popsicle stick Christmas crafts for festive projects made with simple, inexpensive craft supplies.
These hands-on Christmas activities are perfect for keeping little hands busy throughout December.
Even More Christmas Craft Ideas
For even more festive inspiration, don’t miss our collection of 100+ Christmas crafts for kids.
You’ll find plenty of easy Christmas art projects, handmade decorations, and screen-free holiday activities to keep children busy throughout the Christmas season.
Final Thoughts
This paper plate Christmas tree craft is such a fun and easy way to celebrate the holiday season with kids!
I especially love how the overlapping paper plates give each tree its cute, chubby shape. Add a handful of colorful pom-poms and a bright yellow star, and you’ve got an adorable handmade Christmas decoration.
Whether you’re making these Christmas trees with preschoolers, kindergarteners, or older children, they’re sure to be a hit.
Don’t forget to save this easy paper plate Christmas tree craft to Pinterest so you can find it when you’re planning your Christmas activities!
