Making a palm tree out of construction paper can be an easy, creative way to decorate your home or classroom. Not only is it a fun and educational activity for children, but it can also be a unique and stylish decoration to hang on the wall. The best part is, all you need is a few basic materials, some time, and a steady hand to create your own masterpiece. Here are a few steps to get started:
Collect Supplies
First, you will need to collect the necessary items to make the palm tree. You will need various colors of construction paper, a pair of scissors, a ruler, some glue, and a pencil. You may also need some string if you decide to hang the tree on a wall.
Measure & Cut
Before you begin cutting the paper, you will want to measure the tree trunk and the paper leaves. To make a simple palm tree, measure a rectangle from the construction paper that is about 10 inches by 6 inches (depending on the desired size). Cut it out with scissors and then use the ruler to measure and draw four evenly spaced sections 2 inches apart on the long side. This will make the five sections that will compose the tree trunk. Cut them out and set aside.
Next, take one of the colors of construction paper to make the leaves. Start by drawing 14 to 18 stems or sticks coming off the top of the tree trunk. Make sure to draw short, wiggling lines similar to those of a palm tree in order to give it a more realistic feel. Cut out the lines with scissors and set aside.
Assemble
Once you have all of the pieces cut, it is time to assemble the palm tree. Begin by lightly gluing the tree trunk to the middle of the colored background of the paper. This will provide a base to start building upon. Then, take the paper leaves you cut earlier and glue them to the top of the trunk. Make sure they are evenly spaced and wiggled around to capture the natural palm tree look.
Once the leaves are glued, begin at the bottom of the trunk and work your way up, gluing the five sections you cut. This will give the tree trunk a more realistic and cylinder look. Finish off the trunk with a couple shorter sections at the top for an added aesthetic touch.
Decorate
Now, the tree is almost complete. You can decorate it however you’d like to match the theme and styles of the room you want to hang it in. You can use markers, paint, and even glitter if you desire. Another option is to add little figures or animals to the landscape to make it appear like there is a beach surrounding the palm tree.
Hang
Finally, decide how and where you would like to hang it. You can staple the construction paper to a wall or even trim it to put it into a frame. You could put a string or a rod across its trunk and hang it on a wall or a door. Get creative and make it your own!
Spread Out the Leaves
To complete the look, take the paper leaves and spread them out with your fingers to make them look more natural. And that’s it! You’ve just successfully made a beautiful palm tree out of construction paper. Enjoy your new, one-of-a-kind decoration!
Troubleshooting
While making a palm tree out of construction paper can be a fun, easy activity, it does require some patience and practice. If you experience any difficulties during the process, make sure to take a break and go back to it with a fresh mindset. Take your time and try not to get frustrated if something doesn’t turn out how you planned. And if all else fails, turn to the internet for help.
Additional Techniques
There are many different techniques and materials you can use when it comes to making a palm tree out of construction paper. For example, cutting out strips of different colored paper and gluing them vertically with the ends staggered to make the trunk, rather than cutting out and gluing five separate sections. You can also use paint and markers to give the tree trunk a more realistic, textured feel, or even add little embellishments like shells, leaves and grass to the bottom of the paper. Be creative and let your imagination go wild!
Using Unique Papers
When it comes to selecting the colors of the paper to use, the choices are endless. You can stick to the traditional greens, blues and browns, or you can get more creative with it and try using tissue paper, watercolor paper, or even craft foam. These alternative materials could offer a more unique, 3-dimensional look.
Having Fun with It
Making a palm tree out of construction paper is a great way to bond with your family and friends while having some creative fun. Share tips, tricks, and ideas and see who can come up with the most creative version. You and your loved ones could even have a competition to see who can make the best one!
