Easy Apple Tree Paper Craft

This is a simple and fun craft to learn about trees.

Materials:

• A sheet of construction paper for the background. Light blue or other colors, one for each child.
• Scraps of brown construction paper for the trunks and branches.
• Small leaf shapes cut from green construction paper.
• Red tempura paint
• Several two-liter pop bottle caps

Directions:

1. Paste a large strip of brown construction paper on the background to make the trunk. Crinkling the paper trunk beforehand gives a more wood-like surface.
2. Paste on smaller strips of brown construction paper to make the branches.
3. Paste on the small green leaves.
4. Pour the red paint into a shallow tray. Dip the flat side of the bottle cap and press onto the paper to make the apples. The apples will be thick and sticky. Allow to dry.

It takes time to dry, but the end effect is really nice. The craft is also good because you use recycled scraps. I used this craft for a lesson about trees, keeping in mind to be environmentally friendly.

This and hundreds of other simple and easy craft ideas are from the "Arts and Craft For All Seasons" series books for Preschool/Kindergarten and 1^st through 3^rd grade. The crafts are fun, simple, and easily adaptable. These books are a great resource and are a must have for any preschool-K or early elementary program.