Christmas Art Lesson Christmas Tree Art Project Holiday Art Activity Craft

This Christmas Tree Art Lesson is a detailed holiday art project for Grades 2 to 5. Using green cardstock or thick paper and oil pastels (or crayons), students follow an 11-step tutorial to create a bright, expressive Christmas tree, with drawing, outlining, painting and festive details they can personalize.

Alongside the art, the lesson brings in literacy: a nonfiction reading on Christmas tree traditions, a fiction story called "The Whispering Christmas Tree," writing prompts, a KWL chart, reflections and rubrics. It works as a December art unit, a sub plan, a winter rotation or a homeschool holiday unit, for classroom teachers, art teachers and homeschool families.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “my second grade class really enjoyed this art project” Emily T.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE)

• Full lesson plan (pages 5 to 7) with lesson hook, creativity challenge, participation strategies and reflection prompts
• About Christmas Tree Traditions informational reading (page 8)
• Directed drawing (page 9)
• Art rubric (page 10)
• Bulletin board display sign (page 11)
• KWL chart and critical thinking questions
• "The Whispering Christmas Tree" fiction story (pages 14 to 15)
• Reading comprehension questions and answer key (pages 16 to 18)
• Sight word list and teacher instructions (page 19)
• Word bank of tricky words (page 20)
• Opinion writing prompt (page 21)
• Winter Magic writing and drawing page (page 23)
• 3 Stars and a Wish reflection (page 32)
• Artist statement pages (pages 33 to 34)
• Mandala design extension (page 34)
• Elements of Art extensions, including line and shape exploration pages
• Coloring page (page 37)
• Step-by-step art tutorial (pages 39 to 49)

HOW TO USE IT

All pages are print-and-use ready. Teach the full lesson as a December art unit, or use the artwork on its own as a festive sub plan. The step-by-step visuals, lesson plan and rubric mean no prior art background is needed.

The reading and writing extensions can be taught in the same week as the artwork or separately. The mandala design and Elements of Art pages work as extension activities.

FAQ

Who can use this resource?

Classroom teachers, art teachers, homeschool families and substitute teachers, in classrooms, small groups, homeschool co-ops, winter camps and holiday enrichment.

How long does the project take?

Most classes finish the artwork in 2 to 3 classes, depending on grade level, student behavior, teaching style and time available.

Do I need art experience?

No. The step-by-step visuals, lesson plan and rubric make it easy to teach.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist and educator whose work has been featured on NBC LX News and in OCO Magazine as the featured educator on the cover of the October 2025 edition. She designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers, and she is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this resource for classroom, homeschool or personal educational use, and print and project it for student learning.

YOU MAY NOT: share this with other teachers or post it online. Each educator must purchase their own license.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic