Let’s make cardboard Christmas tree craft with kids! This Christmas tree crafting idea use boxes from holiday deliveries to make cardboard Christmas trees with the kids. This recycled Christmas tree project is a fun way to re-purpose this holiday season and create cardboard Christmas trees that make lovely decorations. Use this cardboard tree craft at home or in the classroom.

Easy Cardboard Christmas Tree Craft for Kids

We are going to make a Christmas tree craft that stands on its own. Kids will love cotton bud painting to make the ornaments to decorate their tree too.

Related: More Christmas tree crafts for kids

This finished cardboard Christmas tree craft is perfect for sitting on the mantel or a shelf this holiday season. Use boxes from deliveries or groceries to make this an inexpensive craft for kids.

How to make a cardboard Christmas tree

We used a pizza box to make our three Christmas trees. One large box can probably make up to 6 trees, depending on how messy the box is. We used just the bottom of the box which had a liner in it so it was clean.

This article contains affiliate links.

Supplies needed to make a cardboard Christmas tree

• Cardboard box
• Paint
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• Cotton buds
• Paper plate
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Paintbrush

Instructions for making a cardboard Christmas tree Craft

Step 1

Use a ruler and pencil to sketch triangles and long rectangles on the piece of cardboard and then cut them out.

Our triangles measured 8 inches high. Make sure to measure and cut the long rectangles in an even length. We cut ours 8 1/2 inches long so that when folded to make the base of the tree each side is 2 inches long with a 1/2 inch to glue. The height was measured at 2 inches.

Step 2

Bend the long cardboard rectangles until they form a box shape. Glue the ends and overlap them over each other. Set them aside to dry.

Step 3

Paint the triangles with green paint and set them aside to dry. Once dry, pour a little paint in each color onto the paper plate and use cotton bud painting to add colorful ornaments to the tree. You could also use glitter or metallic paint to make the ornaments.

Step 4

To assemble the tree, cut 1/2 inch slits in the sides of the cardboard base and put the triangle tree on top.

Craft tip: This is optional, but you could also cut out a cardboard star for the top of the Christmas tree and paint it with yellow or gold paint.

Make This Cardboard Christmas Tree Craft Your Own

Now that you turned these cardboard pieces into something festive and pretty, you can change the craft up a bit and make it your own! Some things you could consider adding to your supply list and changing are:

• Adding glitter glue to the ornaments
• Decorating bottle caps to put at the top of the tree
• Using small pom poms to add 3D ornaments
• Decorating the bottom of the tree with washi tape

Why We Love These Cardboard Christmas Trees

We love these cardboard Christmas trees for a few reasons. It allows us to reuse cardboard boxes or any pieces of cardboard we have and they make cute Christmas decorations.

They’re tree shape, with a hint of modernism, but still give off the Christmas spirit. Plus, once your kids make their own cardboard Christmas trees, they can put them in their rooms to decorate their rooms.

And if we’re being honest, this is one of the more budget-friendly Christmas crafts which I always appreciate.

More Christmas tree crafts from Kids Activities Blog

• 5 paper Christmas trees to make with kids
• Make a Christmas paper plate snowglobe
• Cheery Christmas tree coloring page
• Handprint Christmas tree
• Make a Christmas collage
• Make a handprint Christmas tree ornament
• Christmas tree resist painting project
• Try our Christmas cupcake liners crafts and activities!
• Try making these frosted candle Christmas crafts!
• You can make your own watercolor Christmas tree tags.
• Have you tried our great xmas craft?

Have you made a Christmas tree craft with your kids?