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how to draw christmas tree

How to draw christmas tree - a free christmas tree drawing guide

Draw a decorated Christmas tree step by step using simple shapes, layering, and coloring. Practice proportions, shading, and adding ornaments to complete your drawing.

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Drawing Apps

Photos of decorated Christmas tree drawings

Step-by-step guide to draw a decorated Christmas tree

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How To Draw A Christmas Tree

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, black pen or marker, coloring materials (crayons markers or colored pencils)

Step 1

Gather all your materials and find a flat spot to draw.

Step 2

Lightly draw a vertical center line to mark the tree’s height.

Step 3

Draw a small rectangle at the bottom center for the trunk.

Step 4

Draw a large triangle above the trunk for the tree’s bottom layer.

Step 5

Draw a slightly smaller triangle above the first triangle so they overlap a bit.

Step 6

Draw a small triangle at the very top to finish the tree shape.

Step 7

Draw a star or simple shape at the top of the tree.

Step 8

Draw round and star-shaped ornaments spaced across the three tree layers.

Step 9

Draw curved garland lines across each triangle to wrap the tree.

Step 10

Add short angled strokes along the triangle edges to make branch texture.

Step 11

Trace the final outlines you like with a black pen or marker and let the ink dry.

Step 12

Gently erase the pencil guidelines and any extra sketch marks.

Step 13

Color the tree green and the trunk brown using your coloring materials.

Step 14

Add darker shading under each layer and near the trunk to create depth.

Step 15

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Help!?

What can we use instead of a black pen or marker and green/brown coloring if we don't have them?

If you don't have a black pen or marker, use a dark pencil or crayon to 'Trace the final outlines you like with a black pen or marker', and substitute green and brown paints with colored pencils, crayons, or mix blue and yellow to make green for the 'Color the tree green and the trunk brown' step.

My triangles look lopsided—how can I keep the three tree layers centered and overlapping properly?

Use the 'Lightly draw a vertical center line to mark the tree’s height' as a symmetry guide and mark equal base points with a ruler or fold the paper so each triangle centers over the small rectangle trunk and overlaps evenly.

How can I adapt this activity for younger kids or older kids?

For younger children, pre-draw the trunk and triangle layers or let them place stickers for 'Draw round and star-shaped ornaments', while older kids can add the short angled branch strokes, darker shading under each layer, and detailed ornament patterns for extra challenge.

What are some ways to make the finished tree more special or more complex?

Personalize the tree by adding glitter glue or sequins to the 'Draw round and star-shaped ornaments', paint a patterned background after tracing outlines, or cut out the finished tree to glue onto construction paper as a homemade card to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw a decorated Christmas tree

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw a Cute Christmas Tree - Easy Step-by-Step for Kids!

4 Videos

Facts about drawing for kids

🎄 The modern decorated Christmas tree tradition began in 16th-century Germany.

🎁 The first glass Christmas ornaments were hand-blown in Lauscha, Germany in the 1800s.

🌲 Common real trees used for decorating include fir, spruce, and pine because of their shape and scent.

✏️ Artists often start drawings with simple shapes like triangles and circles to get proportions right before adding details.

💡 Before electric lights, people lit Christmas trees with candles — electric string lights became popular in the late 19th century.

How do I draw a decorated Christmas tree step by step?

Start by sketching a light vertical guide line. Block the tree as three overlapping triangles for tiers, keeping the widest at the bottom. Add a small rectangle for the trunk, then refine branches with gentle zigzag or curved lines along the triangle edges. Draw a star on top, garlands as curved lines, and simple round ornaments. Shade lightly where branches overlap, erase guide lines, then color from darker tones at the base to lighter tones near the top.

What materials do I need to draw and color a decorated Christmas tree?

You'll need plain drawing paper, a pencil (HB or 2B), eraser, and a sharpener. For coloring, use colored pencils, markers, crayons, or watercolor paints and brushes. Optional items: blending stump or cotton swab for soft shading, ruler for guides, white gel pen for highlights, and stickers or sequins for extra sparkle. If using paints or glue, protect the workspace and consider smocks for younger children.

What ages is drawing a decorated Christmas tree suitable for?

This activity fits many ages with simple adjustments. Toddlers (2–4) enjoy scribbles and sticker ornaments with adult help. Preschoolers (4–6) can draw triangle layers and color large shapes. School-age kids (7–11) can practice proportions, shading, and detailed ornaments. Teens can explore perspective, textured shading, or mixed media. Always adjust complexity and supervise use of sharp tools, small decorations, or paints.

What are the benefits and fun variations of drawing a decorated Christmas tree?

Drawing a decorated tree builds fine motor skills, teaches proportions and shading, and encourages color mixing and creativity. Variations include a snowy scene, night-time glow with metallic pens, a pop-up card, or a tissue-paper collage with sequins. For younger kids, simplify to stickers and bold shapes. Supervise small decorations and sharp tools for safety, and try turning finished artworks into cards or ornaments for extra fun.

Ready to create?

All Activities

how to draw christmas tree

How to draw christmas tree - a free christmas tree drawing guide

Draw a decorated Christmas tree step by step using simple shapes, layering, and coloring. Practice proportions, shading, and adding ornaments to complete your drawing.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Photos of decorated Christmas tree drawings

Step-by-step guide to draw a decorated Christmas tree

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How To Draw A Christmas Tree

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, black pen or marker, coloring materials (crayons markers or colored pencils)

Step 1

Gather all your materials and find a flat spot to draw.

Step 2

Lightly draw a vertical center line to mark the tree’s height.

Step 3

Draw a small rectangle at the bottom center for the trunk.

Step 4

Draw a large triangle above the trunk for the tree’s bottom layer.

Step 5

Draw a slightly smaller triangle above the first triangle so they overlap a bit.

Step 6

Draw a small triangle at the very top to finish the tree shape.

Step 7

Draw a star or simple shape at the top of the tree.

Step 8

Draw round and star-shaped ornaments spaced across the three tree layers.

Step 9

Draw curved garland lines across each triangle to wrap the tree.

Step 10

Add short angled strokes along the triangle edges to make branch texture.

Step 11

Trace the final outlines you like with a black pen or marker and let the ink dry.

Step 12

Gently erase the pencil guidelines and any extra sketch marks.

Step 13

Color the tree green and the trunk brown using your coloring materials.

Step 14

Add darker shading under each layer and near the trunk to create depth.

Step 15

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Help!?

What can we use instead of a black pen or marker and green/brown coloring if we don't have them?

My triangles look lopsided—how can I keep the three tree layers centered and overlapping properly?

How can I adapt this activity for younger kids or older kids?

What are some ways to make the finished tree more special or more complex?

Watch videos on how to draw a decorated Christmas tree

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw a Cute Christmas Tree - Easy Step-by-Step for Kids!

4 Videos

Facts about drawing for kids

🎄 The modern decorated Christmas tree tradition began in 16th-century Germany.

🎁 The first glass Christmas ornaments were hand-blown in Lauscha, Germany in the 1800s.

🌲 Common real trees used for decorating include fir, spruce, and pine because of their shape and scent.

✏️ Artists often start drawings with simple shapes like triangles and circles to get proportions right before adding details.

💡 Before electric lights, people lit Christmas trees with candles — electric string lights became popular in the late 19th century.