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November 28, 2011 | 12 Comments

Button Christmas Tree Craft

button christmas tree craft This post contains affiliate links.

One of the great challenges of mothering is trying to get my son to do things that are good for his development but all he thinks of them are that they are fun. This button Christmas tree craft was a perfect example of when I succeed, which is not always the case.  There are versions of this craft for adults (or very patient older kids) all over like this one from Better Homes and Gardens.  All I did was make it easier for kids and, more importantly, add a hammer. For a 5-year-old boy, this craft was all about the hammer. Here is how he made the button Christmas tree craft.

Button Christmas Tree Craft

  1. Gather your materials. You will need a foam cone, (I used a green floral one because I knew my son would not have the patience to fill the whole thing up with buttons). Also some white tack nails, glitter buttons (it’s Christmas time! Let them have glitter! ) and a toy hammer. button and nail hammer tree
  2. Put the nail through the button hole.christmas tree craft for kids
  3. Push it gently into the foam.
  4. Hammer!christmas tree craft with buttons
  5. He really loved this.button christmas tree craft for children  He worked so calmly on this project and we took the time to talk about silver and gold. For whatever reason he’s always confused the two and while he worked away I sat across from him taking pictures and brainstorming ways for him to remember which was which. button christmas tree craft for kids
  6. I didn’t intervene at all and loved that he wanted to put a gold button on top for the star.button christmas tree craft
  7. The hammering is great hand-eye coordination practice. Plus, as noted, putting the nails through the buttons is a great fine motor exercise. All this skill development AND a new button Christmas tree craft holiday decoration for our mantle.Button xmas tree

Books About Christmas Trees

Our book lists include affiliate links.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story by Gloria Houston made me cry. The story speaks of the hardships and love of one family torn apart by World War 1 as they prepare for Christmas with no resources. I love how strong the mother in this book is. She does the best she can with what she has, trekking through snow to cut that big Christmas tree down. The part that made me cry is when uses her own wedding dress to make her daughter an angel costume for the Christmas pageant. Oh, but that is not all she sacrificed. She used the silk stockings her husband sent her from the war to make a doll for Santa to give to her daughter. The father comes home right as they leave the church service – once again starting my waterworks.

It’s an awesome story but probably too long for a group of kids or toddlers, but perfect for a bedtime story for preschoolers on up. Also, this book was illustrated by Barbara Cooney, who captures such meaningful stories with her amazing work.

Mooseltoe by Margie Palantini is a funny holiday story with the characters from Moosestash, this time Moose is set on making Christmas perfectly perfect, only oops – he forgot the tree!  I reviewed this a few years ago when my son was too little to really get the book or to sit long enough for me to finish. But we re-read it last night. He thought it was hilarious! Now, at 5, he had fun repeating some of the great melodic text as we read it. The story is one that both kids and parents can relate to – trying so hard to make the holidays perfect that you forget something important like the tree!  It’s a silly story with a big heart.

Little Tree by Chris Racshka is another awesome find. I love this book. It’s another visually amazing book! My son is much more into the pictures that are so packed full of fun details that they steal the show. The story inspired by the E.E. Cummings poem by the same name. The story follows a little tree that has big dreams of becoming a Christmas tree. I think this book is great. Children can learn where the trees in the lots in a city come from.  (This seems to be out of print but check your local library for it.)

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Kindergarten, Christmas, Christmas Tree, Fine Motor Activities, Hammering, Preschool Crafts | 12 Comments

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12 Comments

  1. Carla @ Whole Child Creative Curriculum says

    November 28, 2011 at 4:12 am

    This is such a fabulous idea! I want to go get supplies for it today!

    to Carla @ Whole Child Creative Curriculum" aria-label='reply to this comment to Carla @ Whole Child Creative Curriculum'>reply to this comment
  2. Rebecca says

    November 28, 2011 at 4:49 am

    Always love your book suggestions!

    to Rebecca" aria-label='reply to this comment to Rebecca'>reply to this comment
  3. Deceptively Educational says

    November 28, 2011 at 5:31 am

    OOOHhhhh! I love this. My son would too! Thanks (as always) for sharing your amazing ideas!

    to Deceptively Educational" aria-label='reply to this comment to Deceptively Educational'>reply to this comment
  4. Elissa says

    November 28, 2011 at 7:39 am

    This would be perfect for all 3 of mine! My girls LOVE to use “boy things” as they call hammers and such 😉

    to Elissa" aria-label='reply to this comment to Elissa'>reply to this comment
  5. Tamara Chilver says

    November 28, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    I love The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, too. Gloria Houston was my college professor and she totally changed my perspective of teaching. In fact, I dedicated my books that I wrote to her because she made that big of an impact on my teaching.

    to Tamara Chilver" aria-label='reply to this comment to Tamara Chilver'>reply to this comment
  6. Lori says

    November 28, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    I just found Little Tree on eBay for five dollars! yay!

    to Lori" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lori'>reply to this comment
  7. Michelle Sexton says

    November 28, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    this is great! I definitely need to try this with my son. I’m sure that he will love it!!

    to Michelle Sexton" aria-label='reply to this comment to Michelle Sexton'>reply to this comment
  8. Laurie says

    November 29, 2011 at 4:39 am

    The addition of the hammer makes this the ultimate boy craft! Awesome! Going to let my five- and three-year-old boys make these for gifts for their grandparents. Also, I think my favorite part might be that your son is wearing Christmas pajamas while working on this craft. Love it! 🙂

    to Laurie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Laurie'>reply to this comment
  9. Jen at Peaceful Parenting says

    November 29, 2011 at 11:54 am

    Love the idea! I will save this one for when my little guy is a bit older for sure!

    “Little Tree” has been one of my son’s favorite Christmas books since he was a baby. I am sad to hear that it’s out of print. Lovely book and I’ve always loved ee cummings.

    to Jen at Peaceful Parenting" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jen at Peaceful Parenting'>reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. Christmas tree crafts | NurtureStore says:
    November 29, 2011 at 7:01 am

    […] playdough :: stickers  Create an upright Christmas tree craft with cardboard :: paper plate :: buttons and nails :: doilies Beautiful keepsake Christmas tree crafts using footprints :: handprints :: hands and […]

    to Christmas tree crafts | NurtureStore" aria-label='reply to this comment to Christmas tree crafts | NurtureStore'>reply to this comment
  2. Homemade Christmas Gifts, continued « sibleyweb says:
    January 11, 2012 at 10:23 am

    […] I found this activity on No Time for Flashcards, I knew Isaiah and Robbie would be all over it. As Allie says in her description of the project, […]

    to Homemade Christmas Gifts, continued « sibleyweb" aria-label='reply to this comment to Homemade Christmas Gifts, continued « sibleyweb'>reply to this comment
  3. Christmas Tree Theme for Preschool and Early Elementary says:
    March 28, 2019 at 9:59 am

    […] Button and Nail Christmas Tree Craft by No Time for Flashcards […]

    to Christmas Tree Theme for Preschool and Early Elementary" aria-label='reply to this comment to Christmas Tree Theme for Preschool and Early Elementary'>reply to this comment

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