Christmas sensory play :: Christmas tree craft and matching game

This gorgeous Christmas tree craft invites children to use their eyes to make a festive art display – or a Christmas tree matching game.

   

Christmas sensory play :: Christmas tree craft and matching game

For our sense of sight activity we decided to make some Christmas trees, using our art materials to see if we could give every tree a design that looked completely different.

This activity works well at home or school. In a group, each child can contribute their unique tree design to a collective display. And at home, there is the opportunity to challenge yourself to think of as many different looks as you can.

For our trees my daughter picked out:

:: glitter glue

:: permanent markers

:: washi tape

:: watercolour paints

:: oil pastels

For each tree we started out with a simple triangle drawn on a piece of card. Then we used a different art technique on each tree to give them all a different look. Anything goes here: invite your children to use their eyes to pick the colours, patterns, shapes and designs that they like.

My daughter picked: a Christmas tree with lots of busy squiggles…

a Christmas tree covered in sparkly glitter glue…

a stripy Christmas tree made with washi tape

a Christmas tree with oil pastel baubles, painted right over with watercolour paints…

and a Christmas tree with little finger print decorations.

To create a gorgeous Christmas tree display you can simple fold each tree in half, so that it stands up by itself. I love how they look collected together, showing all the contrasts in design.

Christmas tree matching game

But, you can also use your art to make a Christmas tree matching game. Just cut each tree in half and lay all the pieces out, in a jumbled arrangement. Then see if you can find all the matching pairs.

Matching games encourage children to look carefully and spot similarities and differences, skills they need for both math and reading and writing. Simple matching activities like this are great for toddlers and preschoolers.

You could add magnets on to the back so you can make a matching forest of trees on your fridge door, or use them as a quiet time busy bag.

This would make a lovely matching game  Christmas gift a child could make for a younger sibling.

 

Download your complete Candy Cane Unit

A super fun and festive unit of learning! This kit gives you everything you need to teach an engaging program of activities all based around candy canes. With ideas for math, literacy, science, play, sensory, arts and crafts your children will love learning all through the holiday season.

:: over 60 pages of lessons, activities, and printables

:: a complete unit of candy cane themed math, science, literacy, arts and crafts, sensory, and play

:: materials lists and bonus printables make it so easy!

:: everything planned for you, so you can enjoy it as much as your children do

:: fun and festive, and packed with engaging learning

:: created with children aged 4 to 8 in mind

 

Click here to get your copy of the complete Candy Cane Unit.