I love good fun crafts that don’t require a thousand and one supplies. This super easy Christmas craft is one you can do right now with your toddler or preschooler. All you need are a few basic craft supplies and a few items from your kitchen and bathroom.
Let’s get started!
Supplies
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- Green, brown, yellow, purple and red washable tempera paint
- 2 Plastic or paper plates
- Paint Palette
(or a 3 more paper/plastic plates)
- 2 Plastic knives
- 2-3 Q-tips
- Light blue Construction Paper
- Marker
- Ruler
- Glitter Glue
(optional)
- Wipes (Optional)
Directions
Gather your supplies.
On the construction paper draw a line down the center of the page. Then draw two diagonal lines coming from the center line (see picture below). This will provide a outline for your little one to follow when painting the Christmas tree.

This step is optional. It just helps younger artists know where to paint.
Pour the green and brown paints onto plates. Dip a plastic knife into the green paint and start making downward knife prints filling in the tree outline.

Sometimes I like to pour the paint right on the craft paper underneath our work space.

Make knife prints and/or strokes!
Once the tree outline is completely filled in, either use a new knife or use a wipe to clean the knife you just used and then dip it into the brown paint to create the trunk of the tree.

Making the trunk of the tree!
Pour out the yellow, purple and red paints onto separate plates or on to the paint pallet. Dip the q-tip into the yellow and create a star at the top of your Christmas tree.
Using the same q-tip dap it on the tree to decorate it. Do the same using the purple and red. You can either use a new q-tip each time or you can just use the other side of the q-tip.
My three year wanted to use a new q-tip each time. It was easier for her and that way her hands didn’t get dirty.
After you have finished adding the decorations you can have your little one add a little sparkle with the glitter glue.

Decorating the Christmas tree using q-tips and glitter glue!
Painting Tips
Sometimes instead of using plastic plates I just pour the paint onto some craft paper beside my daughter. This often is easier than using a plate when we are painting and then afterwards I can just throw away the paper.

Knife Painted Christmas Trees by my three year old and me!
WILL YOU TRY KNIFE PAINTED CHRISTMAS TREE WITH YOUR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER? PIN IT FOR LATER!
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