x

Origami Christmas Tree Card

  • Art & Art History
  • Young Adult
  • Grades 6-8
  • Grades 4-5

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding! Create an origami Christmas tree card using basic Origami steps and learn a new skill during the holidays. 

Materials



Paintbrushes
Acrylic Paints

Construction Paper (Green/Yellow/Red/Brown)

Glue Stick

Scissors

Instructions



Step  1.

Gather your supplies. 

Step  1.

Gather your supplies. 

Step  2.

Fold the 6-inch square green paper in half to create a triangle. Crease the paper by pushing your fingers along the edge of the fold.

Step  2.

Fold the 6-inch square green paper in half to create a triangle. Crease the paper by pushing your fingers along the edge of the fold.

Step  3.

Unfold the paper, you will have a creased line down the middle of the paper. Fold one edge of the paper into the middle, using the crease line as a guide. This is called a kite fold! 

Step  3.

Unfold the paper, you will have a creased line down the middle of the paper. Fold one edge of the paper into the middle, using the crease line as a guide. This is called a kite fold! 

Step  4.

Fold the other side to the middle as shown. When you are finished your paper will look like a kite.

Step  4.

Fold the other side to the middle as shown. When you are finished your paper will look like a kite.

Step  5.

Fold the bottom of your kite over the folded pieces as shown to make your paper look like a triangle. Gently lift the flaps of your paper and apply glue underneath the flaps to hold them together. You have now completed the bottom section of the tree.

Step  5.

Fold the bottom of your kite over the folded pieces as shown to make your paper look like a triangle. Gently lift the flaps of your paper and apply glue underneath the flaps to hold them together. You have now completed the bottom section of the tree.

Step  6.

Repeat Steps 2-5 with a 4-inch green square and a 3-inch green square. You will now have the three sections of the tree.

Step  6.

Repeat Steps 2-5 with a 4-inch green square and a 3-inch green square. You will now have the three sections of the tree.

Step  7.

Fold a piece of red construction paper in half to create a card. Glue a rectangle made of brown construction paper to the bottom as the trunk and glue the largest triangle on top to form the tree.

Step  7.

Fold a piece of red construction paper in half to create a card. Glue a rectangle made of brown construction paper to the bottom as the trunk and glue the largest triangle on top to form the tree.

Step  8.

Glue the medium triangle followed by the small triangle on the card front as shown.

Step  8.

Glue the medium triangle followed by the small triangle on the card front as shown.

Step  9.

To form a star, fold a 1-inch square piece of yellow construction paper in half to make a triangle. Fold the paper in half again making a smaller triangle.

Step  9.

To form a star, fold a 1-inch square piece of yellow construction paper in half to make a triangle. Fold the paper in half again making a smaller triangle.

Step  10.

Make two additional triangles from 1-inch yellow squares. Layer these triangles on top of the tree to form a star.

Step  10.

Make two additional triangles from 1-inch yellow squares. Layer these triangles on top of the tree to form a star.

Step  11.

Using a small round foam brush, gently dot white paint on the tree, ground, and background of the card. This will create the look of snow.

Step  11.

Using a small round foam brush, gently dot white paint on the tree, ground, and background of the card. This will create the look of snow.

Step  12.

Using the same brush, gently dot different colors of paint to make ornaments on your tree. Set aside to dry before giving the card to a loved one!

Step  12.

Using the same brush, gently dot different colors of paint to make ornaments on your tree. Set aside to dry before giving the card to a loved one!

Customize your Christmas cards by learning a new skill this year — origami!   

  • Origami Origins: This Japanese word comes from oru (to fold) and kami (paper)! At first, this intricate paper-folding process was reserved for ceremonial purposes — but over time, origami made its way into art and mathematics throughout Japan and Europe. Ask your students: how could origami be used in math? 
  • Decorate the Tree: Once the class finishes folding their tree shapes, it’s time to add ornaments! Brush, or — for some sensory fun — finger paint dots onto each green triangle. Then, add white dots around the tree to create falling snow!   

Artists, inventors, and even scientists use origami to share their ideas! As a class, discover how this art form has unfolded throughout history, literature, and STEM projects around the world since the 17th century. How can your students use origami in other school subjects? Brainstorm ideas together!