Tree T !
So this was not quite what I imagined in my perfectly optimistic head, but my son liked it, after doing it we were reading a book that had trees in it and he said “Look mama, T for Tree!” I wanted to make it from mostly recycled materials, to stick with the Earth Day theme we will be doing all week. Below I have linked a reader submitted spring tree craft that would be a great add on to this activity!
- Gather your materials. You will need a cardboard egg carton, green and brown paint, glue, scissors, a marker and a large piece of construction paper.
- Start by drawing a large T on your paper.
- Cut a long piece of the cardboard off the top of the egg carton for the trunk.
- Paint the trunk brown
- Paint the bottom of the egg carton green, for older kids I would cut them before painting, but little guys need to have a larger object to paint.
- Let the paint dry.
- When the paint is dry enough to handle cut the egg carton into “Leaves” aka smaller pieces.
- grab the glue and add glue to the bottom of the T
- Add the painted trunk
- Add glue to the top
- Add the egg carton leaves.
- Let dry.
Books!
” the alphabet tree” by Leo Lionni is a stunning book. The book is all about letters that come together to make words and then after a caterpillar informs them that they need to say something they join together to make sentences. Up to this point the book is a brilliant teaching tool , but for me the best part is yet to come. When the words get together they decide to say ” Peace on earth goodwill toward all men” and then the caterpillar asks them to jump on his back so he can take the words to the president . Considering it was written in 1968 it’s quite the statement. A fantastic activity to do with your child after reading this would be to ask them what they would write to the president ? For younger children using letters on leaves you could spell out easy 3 letter words like they do early on in the story. All in all a brilliant book.
“Chicka Chicka abc“ by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault is a favorite. A lot of parents are familiar with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom but not this shorter board book version that is perfect for young toddlers . I started my son with this one and moved on to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at about 2. The colors are so bright even the youngest of babies will like it and the rhythm of the text will keep toddlers going too!
“Up , Up, Down” by Robert Munsch is a cute and funny story about a little girl who climbs and climbs and falls and falls! She decides to climb to the very top of the tree. This time she doesn’t fall and doesn’t come down until it’s time to lecture her parents withe their own words. Kids love this book, it’s silly , it’s about climbing and has giant band aids in it, what kid wouldn’t love it?
Additional Activity
Sent In By You
Sent In By You
Isn’t this beautiful?
Bring a little of the outdoors in , and reuse bubble wrap with this adorable spring bud craft !
Pop over to The Entertaining House for the full how to.
13 Responses to “Earth Day Inspired – Letter Of The Week !”
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“a said to b- meet me at the top of the coconut tree.” Love that book! Looks like he had a lot of fun making his T tree.
Activity that you featured looks great. Bubble wrap? Cool idea.
Have a great day!
Jen
Creative and Curious Kids!
Here is an artistic animated ecard for Earth Day, "Blue Planet". It is an underwater production completely with many reef fishes, a turtle, a ray and dolphins.
It is free to send and to spread the important message of saving our planet.
http://www.ojolie.com/index.php?step=preview&ec_id=54
He he he – I like how you’ve popped a shirt over the top of your son’s romper – trying to disguise it now huh? he he he :O)
That’s a great tree:0)
thanks for the link! I have the pictures ready to be hung in our master bathroom. I even went out to buy new towels and bath matt to match the blue-green color of the background!
Jen — yes bubble wrap. Painted and then applied to poster board.
FUN! A new way to use an egg carton. “T for Tree!” Did your heart melt? Mine would!
What a great tree! I think it turned out great!
I love the tree art, I must try this with my oldest son!
The chicka chicka series have been a super hit in my home
Super cute! I will have to take this idea for next year!
great this idea!
Thanks…
If you like “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” check us out next week….
look at that cutie with his “popped” collar….too cute!!!!
I love your crafts!
Melissa