These Christmas trees activities are so fun and versatile. Who knew you could do so many learning activities with a Christmas tree? They’re perfect to add to your list of Christmas activities for preschoolers.
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Related: Super Simple Christmas Sensory Bin
Christmas Tree Activities
One of the most iconic parts of the holiday season is definitely the Christmas tree.
Those who celebrate Christmas have many differing traditions and favorite activities. Often the item they all have in common is some form of Christmas tree.
So if you want to integrate some Christmas fun into your December plans, why not start with these engaging tree ideas?!
Below you’ll find 32 Christmas tree activities to do with the kids. The ideas are broken down into categories so you can easily find what you’re looking for – art and crafts, ornaments, sensory play, and more learning activities.
Christmas Tree Art and Crafts
Let’s start off with art and craft Christmas tree activities! Break out the crafting materials and let the children get as creative as they want to be.
Pumpkin Seed Christmas Tree Art – A Christmas tree art project that’s super easy to set up, AND you can let the children be as creative as they want to be!
Collaborative Pine Tree Art Project – “Dissect” a Christmas tree, explore its parts, and then use them to make a gorgeous art project.
Christmas Tree Ball Painting – One of the most creative ways I’ve ever seen to paint a Christmas tree!
Spiral Christmas Tree Craft – A simple, beautiful Christmas tree craft that all ages will enjoy making.
Puffy Paint Christmas Tree – A paper plate and DIY puffy paint are all you need for these gorgeous decorations!
Footprint Christmas Tree – You can never have too many handprint or footprint crafts! I love these adorable cards made from footprint trees.
Christmas Tree Nature Craft – 3 gorgeous handmade ways to make a nature-inspired Christmas card.
Circle-Stamped Christmas Tree – Another easy Christmas tree craft that makes a gorgeous decoration.
Simple Christmas Tree Sewing – Cut a triangle out of plastic sewing canvas. Add a preschooler, relatively blunt needle, embroidery thread and sequins, and watch the magic happen!
Contact Paper Christmas Stickers – Contact paper is irresistible! Make a Christmas tree and ornaments that can be arranged over and over (and over!) again.
Decorate a Felt Christmas Tree – These DIY 3-D Christmas trees can be a Christmas decoration, a fine motor workout, a small world addition, or a fun craft!
Spin Art Christmas Trees – Salad spinner art = magic. Your preschoolers will ask to do this Christmas tree art project again and again!
DIY Christmas Tree Ornament Crafts
Now, we can’t talk Christmas trees without talking about ornaments! Below are some super fun Christmas tree ornaments the kids can make.
Bread Clay Christmas Tree Ornaments – Have you tried bread dough yet?? It’s sturdier than most doughs and results in bright, vibrantly colored ornaments!
Pipe Cleaner Christmas Trees – Use pipe cleaners and cardboard to make these adorable Christmas crafts! Add a ribbon, string, or hook and they’re instant ornaments!
Yarn and Bead Christmas Tree – Let the kids’ imagination run wild with this creative Christmas tree activity! The final product is a wonderful ornament, card, or decoration.
Easy Bubble Wrap Christmas Tree Ornament – A cute Christmas ornament the kids can make almost all on their own!
Scrap Ribbon Tree Ornaments – Beautifully simple and rustic ornaments that can be made with materials you already have on hand!
Christmas Tree Sensory Activities
Oh how I love sensory play! So of course I had to include some Christmas tree-themed sensory activities on this list.
Christmas Tree Slime – A foolproof recipe for DIY Christmas slime you can also use as a counting activity! Don’t miss the free printable.
Christmas Tree Contact Paper Sensory Bin – Combine a three-dimensional contact paper Christmas tree with a sensory bin for hours of fun! Colored popcorn kernels and rice become magical when you call them “Christmas lights.”
Christmas Tree Sensory Bin – A sensory bin filled with real evergreen branches and ornaments makes for a captivating sensory bin! It’s great for toddlers.
Sticky Christmas Tree & Sensory Bin – A Christmas tree sensory bin with awesome learning ideas for kids of all ages!
Christmas Tree Learning Activities
Here are some more Christmas tree activities packed with lots of early learning skills. Fine motor, math, and literacy practice abound.
Fine Motor Christmas Tree Decorating – These fine motor Christmas trees are a great way to combine 3D art and pre-writing skills with an open-ended invitation to play and create!
Geoboard Christmas Trees – Let children explore math and fine motor skills with these DIY foam geoboard trees.
Pony Bead Christmas Tree Name Ornaments – This Christmas tree name craft is super simple, super fun, and full of learning!
Christmas Tree Jingle Bell Math – Use Christmas trees as a math tool by adding dice and jingle bells.
Bottle Cap Christmas Tree – Use recycled materials to make this fun Christmas tree craft. Putting on the “decorations” really works the pincer grasp, too!
Color Matching Christmas Tree – A simple color matching activity for toddlers and young preschoolers using a Christmas tree.
Christmas Tree Alphabet – This Christmas tree activity has a ton of learning possibilities! Letter recognition, name recognition, sight words, and many more opportunities here.
A Few More Ideas
Well, I just couldn’t stop and had to add just a few more Christmas tree activities for you . . .
Christmas Tree Decorating on the Light Table – This Christmas tree activity only needs plastic dividers to provide hours of tree-decorating fun on the light table!
Magnetic Christmas Tree – After an adult glues some magnetic strips to common craft items, the fridge becomes a wonderland of Christmas tree goodness!
Pin Up Christmas Tree Decorating – Kids make and decorate their own large Christmas tree – keeping the little ones from redecorating yours!
Decorate a Play Dough Christmas Tree Kit – What a great idea, to package all the supplies necessary for an afternoon of Christmas tree fun into an accessible kit!
WOW, there are so many awesome Christmas tree crafts and activities to try out with the kiddos. Which ones are your favorite?!
Christmas Books for Preschool
I always say that books are a must-have for anything I’m doing with the kids. What about you?
Here are some fun Christmas books to read with your preschoolers during the holidays (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
Done-For-You Christmas Preschool Resources
Here at Fun-A-Day, we know just how hard it can be to balance teaching and lesson planning with our personal lives – especially around the holidays! Let Preschool Teacher 101 ease the burden of lesson planning.
We have so many fun and creative lessons all planned out, just for you. We have full and comprehensive lesson plans along with so many other helpful resources.
Click on the images below for our various Christmas-themed lesson plans!
Resources for Your Christmas Tree Fun
You might already have everything on-hand for your tree art and activities. If not, here are a few suggestions to get you started (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
Originally published November 25, 2014. Post updated to include new images and video.
This post is so fun! I’m going to have to try a few of these!
Thanks so much, Riya! Let me know which one is your favorite.