How to Make a 3D Paper Christmas Tree Ornament (Free Printable for Kids)

Easy Paper Christmas Tree Ornament Craft for Kids (Free Template). Bring a little extra holiday cheer into your home or classroom with this adorable paper Christmas tree ornament craft for kids! This festive project is colorful, creative, and easy enough for children from kindergarten through 4th grade.

Kids will love folding and decorating their own 3D paper tree, it’s the perfect handmade ornament to hang on the Christmas tree, attach to gifts, or give as a heartfelt present to someone special.

To make things even easier, we’ve created a free printable craft bundle as a small Christmas gift for you! The bundle includes three versions: a full-color template, a coloring page, and a blank version for kids who want to design their own tree. Just print, cut, and start crafting, no prep needed!

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Why You’ll Love This Paper Christmas Tree Craft

This project is more than just a cute ornament, it’s a fun, hands-on way for kids to practice creativity, scissor skills, and fine-motor coordination. It’s low-mess, quick to prepare, and offers endless ways to personalize.

Whether you’re a teacher planning a Christmas art center, a parent looking for a cozy weekend craft, or a caregiver organizing a holiday playdate, this 3D paper tree will brighten any festive day.

 

Craft Supplies You’ll Need

• Green and red cardstock or construction paper
• A small stick (nature stick or popsicle stick)
• Buttons, beads, sequins, or pom-poms
• Yarn or twine for hanging
• Wooden beads (optional)
• Scissors
• Glue (school glue or a glue gun for older kids)
• Optional: googly eyes and a marker for a smiling pot
• Printable template (optional)

 

Step-by-Step Paper Christmas Tree Craft Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Template

Gather your supplies and print your preferred version of our free Christmas tree template, full color, coloring page, or blank tree. If you’re creating it from scratch, cut six triangles measuring about 10 cm wide and 12 cm tall. I recommend using colored cardstock so your tree is nice and sturdy.

 

Step 2: Fold the Triangles

Fold each triangle in half down the center. For crisp folds, use a ruler and the back of a butter knife. See images B and C above.

 

 

Step 3: Build the 3D Tree

Glue the triangles together one by one, always attaching one half to the next triangle. Keep going until you have a beautiful 3D tree shape. See images D, E and E above for reference.

 

Step 4: Add a Tree Base

To make your ornament sturdier, glue your folded tree onto a slightly larger tree base cut from green cardstock. Each side should be about 1 cm wider than the folded tree. See image G below for inspiration.

 

 

Step 5: Make a Pot

Cut a small pot shape from red paper. A simple trapezoid works perfectly! Glue it to the bottom of your tree. See images I, J and L for reference.

 

Step 6: Add the Tree Trunk

Attach a small stick (or popsicle stick) between the tree and the pot. This gives your ornament a fun, natural touch. See image J below.

 

 

Step 7: Decorate!

Now comes the fun part, decorating your Christmas tree! Use colorful tiny buttons, beads, sequins, or tiny pom-poms to create festive ornaments. We used small buttons and a glue gun to make sure they stayed in place. See images K and L for reference.

 

Step 8: Give It Personality

Add googly eyes and a little smile to your pot to bring your Christmas tree to life. See image L above for inspiration!

 

Step 9: Add a String to Hang

Punch a small hole at the top of your tree. Thread through a piece of ribbon or twine and tie a knot. We used this festive red and white cotton twine. You can even add a few wooden beads for an extra festive touch. See images below!

Your 3D paper Christmas tree ornament is ready to hang, gift, or display proudly!

Why Teachers and Parents Love This Craft

• Low prep: Print and craft in minutes
• Great for groups: Ideal for classrooms, craft clubs, or family projects
• Adaptable: Use recycled paper, felt, or add your own decorations
• Memorable keepsake: Kids can write their name and year on the back

This project encourages imagination and mindfulness, while giving kids a handmade ornament they’ll cherish for years to come.

 

Try Our Christmas Ornament Craft Bundle!

If you loved making this paper Christmas tree, you’ll adore our Christmas Ornament Craft Printable Bundle, the perfect low-prep activity for classroom celebrations, family craft time, or holiday parties!

This fun and festive bundle includes five adorable 3D Christmas ornaments: a cheerful reindeer, playful penguin, cozy polar bear, friendly snowman, and our colorful Christmas tree. Each design comes in both color and coloring-page versions, so kids can either print and craft right away or enjoy coloring their own before assembling.

Everything is low-prep and classroom-ready, just print, cut, glue, and hang! It’s a joyful, hands-on activity that sparks creativity and helps make holiday crafting simple, fun, and stress-free for teachers and parents alike.

You can find this printable set in our Etsy printable shop and on Teachers Pay Teachers.

 

Get Your Free Paper Christmas Tree Template

We’ve created this Christmas tree printable bundle as a small festive gift for our readers! It includes a colored template, a coloring page, and a blank version for creative customization. Perfect for busy teachers, parents, and caregivers who want to enjoy crafting without the prep. Download your Free Christmas Tree Printable here!

 

More Fun Christmas Crafts

Don’t miss our blog post with 29 fun and easy Christmas crafts for kids, packed with creative ideas for all ages.

Keep kids creating all season long with our BIG Christmas Craft Printable Bundle! Packed with festive templates, coloring pages, and easy crafts for ages 5–8 (see graphic below for a sneak peek). Low-prep and ready to print, perfect for home or classroom fun. Get it now on

Teachers Pay Teachers or in our Etsy craft printables shop.

Enjoy crafting, and have a happy holiday season!

 

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