Fun Jar #26: Thankful Tree

This week on Fun Jar Friday

Thankful Tree

This is a great activity that is not only fun and functional, but also it a good way to teach kids about what Thanksgiving is all about.  The idea is that each day you hang a reason you are thankful onto the tree. I first saw this idea on Family Fun and there's been several other versions around the web.  

Here's my version...

So first, find a branch with lots of character and remove any leaves.

If you want to, paint your branch. 

We wanted to give the branch a little sparkle so we sprayed it with spray adhesive and sprinkled glitter on it.  I used a cookie sheet to catch any excess glitter so that I didn't waste any.  Be sure when you spray the branch, that it's not over the cookie sheet, unless you want your cookie sheet to be glittery.

We found a nice vase and some pretty leaves on a bush outside.  Then we lined the vase with the leaves, leaving the middle open.  Hold the branch in the vase and place rocks around the branch.  

The leaves will hide the rocks and the rocks will keep the branch in place.

For the ornaments, I decided I wanted to do something different than leaves.  I used my Cricut Machine to cut 11 acorns and 11 pinecones.  One for each day until Thanksgiving.  

I found some cute ones on the Create a Critter cartridge.  

Then we punched a hole and threaded each ornament with a string, Each day one person gets a turn writing what they are thankful for on the ornament.

Then we hung the ornament on the tree.

Now each day we can watch out tree fill up with all the things we are thankful for!  

It also makes a great centerpiece for the table!

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