Tree Craft with Knotty Branches: Teaching the Four Seasons Through Art

There’s something magical about trees. They stand tall, changing their look with each passing season—bare in the winter, blossoming in spring, full and green in summer, and bursting with color in the fall.

When teaching kids about trees, it’s the perfect time to also introduce the four seasons. And what better way to make it fun and memorable than with a craft made from everyday items? This Tree Craft with Knotty Branches is simple, creative, and a great way to bring science and art together.

📸 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Create the Base

Cut a sturdy piece of cardboard to use as the base for your tree.

Step 2: Form the Trunk

Tear or cut a strip from a brown paper bag. Twist it slightly to give it texture, then glue it down as your tree trunk.

Step 3: Add Knotty Branches

Twist more brown paper pieces into “knotty” branches. Glue them to the trunk so they branch out in different directions.

Step 4: Decorate for the Seasons

• Winter: Leave branches bare or add small bits of white tissue for snow.

• Spring: Add pink or light green tissue paper blossoms.

• Summer: Fill the branches with bright green tissue leaves.

• Fall: Use red, orange, and yellow tissue paper for colorful autumn leaves.

Step 5: Let It Dry & Display

Once your tree is dry, show it off! Place it on a shelf, use it as part of a learning corner, or create a seasonal display.

✂️ Materials You’ll Need

• Cardboard (for the base)

• Brown paper bag (for trunk + branches)

• Tissue paper (green, pink, orange, yellow, white, etc.)

• Glue stick or liquid glue

• Scissors (with adult supervision)

🌱 Learning Connections

This craft is more than just fun—it’s educational too! Kids will practice:

• Observation skills: noticing how trees look different in each season.

• Fine motor skills: tearing, twisting, and gluing materials.

• Science concepts: learning about deciduous trees and how they change with each season.

• Creative expression: decorating the tree in their own way.

🌳 Extension Ideas

• Four Seasons Collage: Make four trees, one for each season, and display them side by side.

• Nature Walk Connection: Compare your craft to real trees outside.

• Storytelling Prompt: Encourage kids to tell a story about their tree throughout the year.

✨ Final Thoughts

This craft feels a little like magic: turning a plain brown bag and scraps of tissue into a tree that looks alive. Kids love seeing their tree change with each season, and you’ll love how it ties science, art, and creativity together.

💡 Did your kids enjoy making knotty trees? Share a photo and tag us on instagram @missannasclassreads — we’d love to see their creations!

👉 Save this idea on Pinterest so you’ll have it ready for your next homeschool lesson or rainy-day project!

For more craft ideas, thematic video lessons for children ages 3-7 about the Ocean, Space, Forests, Polar Habitats, the Desert, Rainforest, African Savanna- and with stellar phonics and reading instruction- go to https://www.missannasclass.com/.