Did You Know Christmas Tree Skirts Make Great Crafts for Kids?
Turn the old, drab classics into memorable and easy crafts for kids
These easy Christmas crafts for kids are exactly what you need this holiday season. Depending on the age of your kid(s), you might be able to hand the entire project over to them while you go about your gift-wrapping and tree trimming. Otherwise, your help might be required for the first half of the project. Beyond that, let them have their fun!
This craft is meant to be their masterpiece -- totally them! And, if you are not completely thrilled with the end product, you don't have to worry about hurting their feelings by not displaying it. It will be covered with presents, either way. The point is to have fun and make something festive and memorable that will bring a tear to your eye 20 years from now when you find this in your Christmas box of decorations. Have fun!
Kids Christmas tree skirt
To begin your crafts for kids, take your little artists to the craft store to pick out their supplies. You'll want to start in the fabric department and work your way down the list. Otherwise, you might not end up with the right embellishments to coordinate with your fabric.
Supplies
-- 3 yards of fabric (I recommend a felt or felt-like fabric)
-- Yard stick or measuring tape
-- Craft glue
-- Scissors
-- Acrylic paint
-- Festive ribbon
-- Adhesive-backed Velcro
-- Embellishments (buttons, decals, stickers, etc.)
Directions
1. Using your yardstick or measuring tape, measure the diameter you desire your tree skirt to be. Cut that number in half and find it on your measuring tape. (For example, if you want your tree skirt to be 5 feet in diameter, find 2.5 feet on your measuring tape.)
Place the end of your measuring tape in the center of your fabric and mark that spot. Use this point as an anchor to draw your circle. Holding the end of your measuring tape in place, make your way around the fabric in a circular motion, marking the distance every few inches.
2. After you have measured and marked off your circle, use the marks as guidelines for cutting. Cut out your tree skirt. Now you have a big, plain circle. This won't work as a skirt, though.
3. Using the same technique as step #1, measure a small circle (less than a foot in diameter) in the middle of your circle. Cut out the circle. During this step, you will also need to cut a line from the center circle to the edge of the skirt. Cut it straight down, leaving a gap in your circle (for now).
4. If you wish to close the gap to the circle, use your adhesive-backed Velcro to stick it back together. This allows you to place the skirt around the tree once it is put into the base.
5. Let your kids go crazy! I would suggest such things as trimming the edges of your fabric with the ribbon you purchased. You can also use that ribbon to stripe your skirt or add little bows all over it. My favorite addition is their handprints. Pour the acrylic paint into paper plates, dip their hands in, and place them on the fabric.
You now have a special, custom tree skirt to use every year! These are wonderfully easy Christmas crafts for kids to make. They'll enjoy the hands-on activity and you'll enjoy their masterpiece -- or at least some peace and quiet while they're busy. Christmas crafts for kids are a great way to entertain them during the restless days off from school. Stave off that holiday boredom with crafts for kids! Merry Christmas!