My Spring Tree

[30 Minutes]

On a spring walk with your child, stop to look at a tree that is beginning to sprout new leaves. As days go by, visit the tree and talk about the changes. At home, show your child how to make a tree using a drinking straw.

You'll need:

• glue • paper cups • blue construction paper • drinking straw • brown and green tempera paint • paint brush • plastic spoon • water • cotton balls

What to do:

1. To make paint for the tree, combine 2 parts brown paint, 1 part glue, and 2 drops of water in a cup.
2. Encourage your child to paint a broad line on the paper for the tree trunk. Let him paint from the bottom of the paper upward a little more than half way.
3. Invite your child to put a spoonful of paint at the top of the tree trunk.
4. Show him how to blow through the straw directly over paint, pointing up and out, to make the branches of the tree.
5. As the paint dries, talk about the changes in the real tree he has seen.
6. When it is dry, let your child put a small amount of green paint on a cotton ball. Show him how to dab it onto the branches to add a few leaves to the tree.
7. If the grass has started to grow in your area, encourage your child to add a little green grass around the tree. If your area is still muddy, let him dab brown paint for the dirt.
8. When you and your child are outside the next time, stop to look at the tree again. Talk about the picture he made of this tree.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• Is this a tree in the winter or spring? How can you tell?
• What is growing on your tree?
• What will the tree look like in the summer?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity helps introduce your child to new techniques of art, as well as concepts related to nature.