Apple Tree Craft

Are you looking for an easy and fun Apple Tree Craft for fall? This simple project is perfect for preschoolers and early elementary school kids, and it only takes a few basic supplies. With tissue paper leaves, button apples, and a sturdy cardboard trunk, children can create their own colorful apple tree to celebrate the season.

Planning ahead? Try making our Gratitude Tree Craft for Thanksgiving or our Heart Tree Craft for Valentine’s Day.

Easy Apple Tree Craft for Preschool

This apple tree craft lets kids practice cutting, glueing, and arranging materials while exploring textures and shapes. The layered tissue paper adds depth and color to the tree, and the shiny buttons make it come alive with apples. It’s also a great way to talk about how apples grow and the role trees play in nature.

Why You’ll Love This Craft

Crafting apple trees is simple, fun, and full of learning opportunities. Here’s why it’s a great choice for kids:

• Simple: The craft uses sensory-rich, affordable supplies you likely already have.
• Skill-building: Cutting and gluing tissue paper builds fine motor skills and strength.
• Creative: Children can be creative with tissue paper, button, and cardboard placement.
• Decorative: It doubles as a cute fall decoration for home or your classroom bulletin board.
• Educational: The project sparks conversation about apples, orchards, autumn, and nature.

Craft Supplies Needed for Apple Tree Craft

Before you get started, make sure you have everything you need.

• Green tissue paper (2–3 shades)
• Matte Mod Podge
• Paintbrush
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Brown cardstock or construction paper
• Red buttons
• Tacky craft glue

Directions for Paper Plate and Cardboard Apple Tree

Follow these simple steps to make your own apple tree craft.

STEP 1: Prepare the tissue paper. Gather your supplies, then cut or tear green tissue paper into small squares. Using two different shades will give your tree more texture and color.

STEP 2: Start covering the paper plate. Use a paintbrush to apply a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the paper plate. Press tissue paper squares onto the sticky surface, letting them overlap to look like leaves.

STEP 3: Finish and let dry. Continue adding tissue paper until the paper plate is completely covered. Brush a light coat of Mod Podge over the top to seal the tissue. Set the plate aside to dry.

STEP 4: Make the tree trunk. Cut a trunk shape from cardboard. This will be the base of your apple tree. We used a 2×5‑inch piece of cardboard from a cracker box, but you could also use a flattened toilet paper roll.

STEP 5: Add the apples. Glue red buttons onto the paper plate to represent apples. Arrange them however you’d like.

STEP 6: Add the hollow. Cut a small circle from brown cardstock. Glue it onto the trunk to look like a hollow hole in the tree. Now your apple craft is finished and ready to display!

Take It Further

Once kids have made their apple tree, there are so many fun ways to extend the activity for extra learning:

• Counting practice: Count the apples and write the number on the tree hollow.
• Literacy connection: Pair this craft with The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons.
• Switch up materials: No buttons? Use paper circles, pom poms, or crumbled tissue paper balls.
• Visit an apple farm: Go apple picking, then make this craft!

More Apple Crafts for Kids

Looking for more ideas? You may also enjoy:

• Preschool Apple Craft – Download the free printable apple template and make a cute apple character!
• Paper Plate Apple Core – Cut paper plates into the shape of an apple core and use dot markers to decorate them.
• Torn Paper Craft for Kids – Kids love this easy apple craft! Includes a free template, making it perfect for home or school.
• Paper Plate Apple Craft – Decorate a paper plate to look like a caramel apple. Perfect for fall!
• Scrap Ribbon Apple Suncatchers – Use a mason jar frog and ribbons to make beautiful suncatchers.

Save This Craft

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