HANDPRINT TREE

Hands down, Tu B’Shevat is such a wonderful holiday! Celebrate the birthday of trees by having your kiddos make a Handprint Tree! Just trace their hand (and part of their arm) to make the trunk and branches and then have them cut out lots of paper leaves (or use a leaf craft punch). Glue everything to a piece of cardboard that your kiddos can paint first if they wish. This would be a fun project to do every year to see how your kiddos’ hands have grown and to display their artwork as beautiful Tu B’Shevat decorations!

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED:

-Cardboard (recycled is wonderful and of course kinder to trees!)
-Paint and paintbrush (if you want the cardboard to be painted - I used Island Blue Craft Smart acrylic paint)
-Paper that will be the trunk and branches (I used brown kraft paper)
-Marker to trace your hand and arm
-Scissors
-Paper to make your leaves (I used various designs of scrapbook paper)
-Optional: craft punch (if you want to make your leaves that way)

HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

(1) If you want your cardboard background to be painted, do that first and allow it to completely dry. (2) Trace your hand and arm onto the paper and then cut it out. (3) Make your leaves — either with a craft punch or by cutting individual leaves. I found it helpful to cut little rectangles first and then cut the two semicircles to make a leaf shape. (4) Glue your handprint trunk and branches onto your background. (5) Glue all your leaves, allowing some of the handprint to show. (6) Voila — now you have a beautiful and meaningful Handprint Tree to inspire your Tu B’Shevat celebration!