The holidays are a time for creativity, joy, and fun, especially when it comes to crafting with kids. One of the best ways to engage young crafters and spark their festive spirit is by making a DIY felt Christmas tree. This simple and kid-friendly craft allows children to unleash their imagination while creating a beautiful, personalized decoration for the home.
Felt is an excellent material for this project because it’s soft, easy to cut, and can be worked with without any special tools or skills. It also comes in a variety of colors, making it perfect for crafting a tree that fits any holiday theme. Whether you’re looking to make a Christmas tree for a tabletop, wall decoration, or even a play tree for your little ones, this craft is versatile and fun.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create a DIY felt Christmas tree that will become a treasured holiday craft for years to come. From gathering materials to adding fun embellishments, let’s dive into how you can create a festive felt tree with your kids.
1. Why Create a DIY Felt Christmas Tree?
Before we jump into the details of how to make the tree, let’s talk about why it’s such a great idea to craft a felt Christmas tree with kids.
1. Easy to Make
One of the biggest advantages of using felt is its simplicity. Kids can participate in nearly every part of the process—from cutting out shapes to gluing decorations—making this an excellent hands-on craft for children of various ages. The materials are also forgiving, which means mistakes can be easily fixed.
2. Customizable Designs
Felt comes in a wide range of colors, so the tree can be personalized to match your holiday décor or the child’s preferences. Whether you prefer traditional green trees with red and gold ornaments, or want a more unconventional pastel palette, the possibilities are endless.
3. Fun and Interactive
The act of decorating the tree with felt ornaments can be a fun activity that keeps kids engaged and allows them to express their creativity. You can even make the project more interactive by letting them “decorate” and “redesign” the tree multiple times.
4. Safe for Kids
Unlike other materials, felt is soft, safe to cut, and non-toxic. Kids can work with it without worry, making it ideal for younger crafters or kids who are new to crafting.
5. A Keepsake Craft
Once the felt Christmas tree is completed, it can be displayed year after year. It becomes a holiday keepsake that will remind you of the creative moments spent together during the holiday season.
2. Materials You’ll Need for the DIY Felt Christmas Tree
Creating a felt Christmas tree doesn’t require many materials, and most of what you need can be easily found at your local craft store or online. Here’s a list of essential supplies:
1. Green Felt (for the Tree)
Start with a good amount of green felt for the base of the tree. You’ll need enough to cut out a large triangular shape for the tree. Consider purchasing several shades of green to add depth and dimension to your tree.
- Tip: If you want a more textured look, you can mix different shades of green felt for a more realistic tree effect.
2. Felt in Various Colors (for Ornaments and Decorations)
You can get creative with the felt colors for the ornaments. Red, gold, white, silver, and even sparkly felt are great options. If you’re going for a more whimsical look, don’t hesitate to incorporate pastel shades or unusual colors.
3. Scissors
A sharp pair of scissors is essential for cutting out the shapes. Make sure they are kid-friendly if children are involved in the cutting process.
4. Hot Glue Gun (with Supervision)
A hot glue gun is ideal for adhering the felt to the tree. It provides a secure bond and dries quickly. However, be sure to supervise your kids when using a hot glue gun, as the nozzle can get very hot.
5. Craft Glue (for Kids)
If you’d like a safer option for younger children, craft glue or fabric glue works just as well for sticking the felt pieces together. These glues are also washable, making clean-up easier.
6. Ribbon (Optional)
For a more elegant touch, add small pieces of ribbon for garlands or bows. It’s an easy way to add extra texture to your felt tree.
7. Buttons, Beads, or Sequins (for Decorations)
To give your felt tree a little extra sparkle, consider using small buttons, beads, or sequins as ornaments. These small embellishments can make the tree look extra festive.
8. A Felt Star (for the Top of the Tree)
No Christmas tree is complete without a star! Use yellow or gold felt to cut out a star shape to place on top of the tree. You can make it as simple or as intricate as you like.
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your DIY Felt Christmas Tree
Now that you have your materials ready, it’s time to start crafting! Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your DIY felt Christmas tree:
Step 1: Cut Out the Tree Shape
- Begin by cutting out a large triangle from your green felt. This will form the base of your tree.
- You can make the tree as large or small as you like, depending on where you plan to display it. If you’re making a tabletop tree, a 12” by 12” triangle works great. For wall décor, you can make a much larger one.
- If you’d like the tree to have layers, you can cut out a few different-sized triangles and layer them on top of each other to create a fuller look.
Step 2: Cut Out the Ornaments
- Next, cut out shapes for the ornaments. Circles, stars, hearts, and squares work well for ornaments, but you can make any shape that fits the holiday theme.
- You can also add little “garlands” by cutting out thin strips of felt and arranging them on the tree to look like tinsel.
- If your child is old enough, let them cut out their own shapes. This will make the craft even more personal and fun!
Step 3: Arrange the Ornaments
- Before gluing the ornaments down, arrange them on the tree to see where you want everything to go. Play around with different placements, layering the decorations to create a balanced look.
- If you’re using sequins or beads, now is the time to place them as well.
Step 4: Attach the Ornaments
- Once you’re happy with the layout, it’s time to glue everything down. Use a hot glue gun (with supervision) or craft glue to attach the ornaments to the tree.
- Be sure to allow each ornament to dry properly before moving on to the next one.
Step 5: Create the Tree’s Trunk
- If you’d like to add a tree trunk, cut out a rectangle of brown felt and glue it to the bottom of the tree.
- You can also add “presents” underneath the tree by cutting out small squares of felt and decorating them with ribbons and buttons.
Step 6: Add the Star on Top
- For the finishing touch, cut out a star from yellow or gold felt and glue it to the top of the tree. This will give the tree a polished and festive look.
Step 7: Display Your Felt Christmas Tree
- Once everything is dry, your DIY felt Christmas tree is ready to be displayed. You can hang it on the wall, place it on a table, or even turn it into a felt tree decoration that can be hung on the front door.
- If you’re making this craft with younger kids, consider making a smaller, portable version that they can play with during the holidays.
4. Creative Ideas to Customize Your Felt Christmas Tree
Now that you know the basics, you can get creative with different variations and additions to make your tree truly unique:
1. Use Multiple Layers of Felt
For added texture, you can make each part of the tree (e.g., the tree, garlands, ornaments) from different layers of felt. This gives the tree a 3D look and makes it more interactive.
2. Make Removable Ornaments
For a fun twist, glue Velcro to the back of the ornaments and the tree. This way, children can place and remove the ornaments as they please, making the craft interactive and engaging.
3. Incorporate Personalization
Add your child’s name or initials to the tree using fabric markers or embroidered felt. This way, the tree becomes a unique holiday keepsake for them.
4. Create a Mini Version for Kids to Decorate
If you have younger children, you can create mini versions of the tree that they can decorate themselves. Provide them with a selection of ornaments to attach, creating a fun and tactile experience.
5. Conclusion: A Craft to Remember This Christmas
Creating a DIY felt Christmas tree with your kids is a fun, easy, and memorable holiday craft that you can do together. Whether you use it as a decoration, a toy, or a keepsake, it’s sure to become a treasured part of your holiday traditions. Not only does it help bring the Christmas spirit into your home, but it also offers a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your children while letting their creativity shine.
FAQs
- How do I make a bigger felt Christmas tree?
- To make a larger tree, simply cut larger triangles for the tree’s layers. You can also create multiple sections of the tree and glue them together to make a taller design.
- Can I use fabric glue instead of a hot glue gun?
- Yes! Fabric glue or regular craft glue works perfectly fine. It’s a safer option for younger children, though it may take longer to dry.
- How can I make the tree more interactive for kids?
- Add Velcro to the back of the ornaments so children can easily move them around and decorate the tree as they like.
- What other materials can I use for the ornaments?
- You can use buttons, beads, sequins, or even small pieces of ribbon to decorate the ornaments. These can be glued onto the felt tree for extra texture and sparkle.
- How do I store the felt Christmas tree after the holidays?
- Store the tree flat in a box or a large envelope to avoid damage. Felt is durable and can easily be reused for future holidays.
- Can I make a felt Christmas tree for outdoor decoration?
- While felt is generally better suited for indoor decorations, you could make a larger outdoor tree using weatherproof felt or fabric.
- How long does it take to make the DIY felt Christmas tree?
- Depending on the size and complexity, the project can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. Younger kids may need additional help with the cutting and gluing parts.
- Can I make a felt tree with my toddler?
- Absolutely! For toddlers, keep the tree simple and do more of the cutting and gluing yourself. Let them focus on decorating with stickers or fabric scraps.
- Can I add lights to my felt tree?
- Yes! If you’re making a larger felt tree for a wall or display, consider adding battery-operated LED lights around the edges to make it shine.
- How can I make this craft more eco-friendly?
- You can use recycled felt or fabric scraps for the project. Additionally, instead of using a glue gun, opt for eco-friendly glue or sewing the pieces together for a sustainable alternative.