Thankful Tree

This is my favorite Thanksgiving project but, it could be an any time of the year project if you swap fall color leaves for green ones! Below you will find step by step instructions with pictures.

For this project you will need:

1. Paper Bags
2. Leaf Template
3. Something to write with
4. Glue or tape
5. Things to be thankful for!

The template has various types and sizes of leaves. Choose which one will work best for the size of paper bags you have.

Start with a paper bag. I use over sized bags but the standard size works well too.

Split the bag into fourths.  Stop cutting about 1/2 the way to the end of the bag.

Cut the bag into fourths.

Next, stick your hand into the bag. You need to open the bottom of the bag for the base of the tree. Once you have the base, grab the bag just above the bottom. You will begin twisting from here. It helps to do this on the table with two hands. Have one hand hold the base on the table while the other hand twists the bag. This will make a nice sturdy trunk!

Continue this process until you have a sturdy trunk with a nice base.

Your tree should now look something like this. All of those pieces sticking up will soon be your branches.

Now, take each piece and carefully twist them into branches.

You are almost done! Once you have every branch twisted, you will be able to move on to the leaves.

Put the tree aside, it should look something like this. Now that you have a tree, you can get started on your leaves. If this is a Thanksgiving project, be sure to print leaves on fall colored construction paper. (Regular paper will work too.)

Now, using a leaf template (click here for one!) cut out as many leaves as you want. Write things you are thankful for on each leaf. After you are finished, staple, tape or glue each leaf to the tree. There you go! Your very own thankful tree!! The tree shown below was made by one of my students. This tree is more of a science tree than a thankful tree, but you get the point. :)

Below several different types of leaves were used. You can have students pick and chose leaves, or they can stick with one variety. I leave the choice up to them!