Make a Thankful' Tree
Make a thankful tree using paper leaves and a branch or drawing; write things you appreciate on each leaf and display it at home.
Step-by-step guide to make a thankful tree
Gratitude Tree - Preschool Activity
Step 1
Gather all your materials and bring them to a clear workspace.
Step 2
Decide if you will use a real branch or draw a tree on a large sheet of paper.
Step 3
If you chose a real branch place it in a jar or tape it to the wall so it stands up safely.
Step 4
If you chose a drawing use the brown marker to draw a tree trunk and branches on the large paper.
Step 5
Fold a sheet of colored paper and cut out 10 to 20 leaf shapes from it.
Step 6
Use your pen to write one thing you are thankful for on each leaf.
Step 7
Decorate each leaf with colors or little drawings using your colouring materials.
Step 8
Make a way to attach each leaf by punching a hole near the top or folding a small flap to tape.
Step 9
Tie or tape each finished leaf onto the real branch or tape each leaf onto the drawn branches.
Step 10
Arrange and adjust the leaves so your thankful tree looks full and colorful.
Step 11
Share a photo of your finished thankful tree on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we can't find a real branch or a hole punch?
If you don't have a real branch, draw the tree on a large sheet of paper or stick a sturdy twig into a weighted jar or taped shoebox base, and if you lack a hole punch fold a small flap on each leaf or snip a notch to tape it as the instructions suggest.
The leaves keep falling off—how can we make them stay attached to the branch or paper tree?
Reinforce each leaf by folding a small flap to tape it or by punching a hole and tying with string, and make sure a real branch is secured in a jar with rocks or taped to the wall as the instructions recommend.
How can we adapt the activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids, pre-cut fewer leaves from the coloured paper and let them use stickers and crayons to write single words, while older kids can cut 10–20 detailed leaves, write full sentences with the pen, and use the colouring materials for complex decorations.
How can we enhance or personalize our Thankful Tree after it's finished?
Personalize the project by assigning leaf colours to categories of gratitude, laminating or reinforcing favourite leaves, adding small photos or mementos to the branch, stringing lights around a real branch, and then share a photo on DIY.org as the final step.
Watch videos on how to make a thankful tree
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Thankfulness Tree | Easy Thanksgiving Craft For Kids | Party Create
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Facts about gratitude activities for kids
✂️ Cutting, folding, and gluing paper leaves helps kids build fine motor skills like scissor control and hand–eye coordination.
🍂 Leaves change color in autumn because chlorophyll fades and pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins become visible.
🧠 Regular gratitude activities can help the brain notice more positive experiences, which can strengthen family bonds.
🌳 Some trees live for thousands of years — bristlecone pines can be over 4,000 years old!
😊 Writing down things you're thankful for is a quick mood booster — gratitude exercises are used in many happiness programs.
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