About This Project

A 15–20 minutes craft for ages 5–99, using supplies you likely already have — Foam Brushes, Construction Paper, and Acrylic Paint.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:
Project Tags
  1. 1

    Find Supplies

    Do you have everything you need?
    Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.
    00:00
    A cartoon of Foam Brushes
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Construction Paper
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Plaper Plates
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make Paint a Mirror Image Forest

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Let's stick together and make this one!"

    Step 1: Fold paper in thirds

    Lay your paper horizontally. Fold the left side and the right side up until they meet each other to make three equal sections.

    Step 2: Pour Paint on plate

    Pour a small puddle of paint on the paper plate. For fall tree colors -- brown, red and green are all good fall colors! White and pink make lovely spring blossoms, or snowy white is good in winter.

    Step 3: Paint!

    Paint your tree trunk in the middle section of the paper. Use lots of paint -- you want it nice and wet. Don't worry, you can always add more layers!

    Step 4: Fold the paper and watch the magic happen

    Fold over the left side of the paper and smoosh the paint onto the folded section. Unfold. You should have a copy of your tree trunk! Repeat for the right side.

    Step 5: Add leaves to your painting

    Now add leaves to your tree trunk! Work quickly so the paint doesn't dry -- use dots or thick lines to represent leaves. Remember to use lots of paint.

    Step 6: Fold and repeat

    Fold the paper over and smash flat to copy the leaves onto the left and right sides. Repeat until you have as many leaves as you like.
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Foam Brushes
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Rinse your foam brushes well and let them dry before storing them.
    • A cartoon of Construction Paper
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Make sure all paint bottle lids are shut tight.
    • A cartoon of Plaper Plates
      Where they belong:

    Update what we have left

    Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.

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  4. 4

    Save

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Way to stick with it!"

    Create a free account to save your digital masterpiece to the Art Gallery.

Use what’s already at home

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