Skeleton cherry tree

A child’s hand turns into a cherry tree trunk! Let me introduce a skeleton-style cherry blossom tree craft.

You’ll need colored construction paper, a pink clear file folder, origami paper, paint, flower petals made with a craft punch, a permanent marker, glue, and scissors.

First, paint the child’s arm up to the elbow and make a handprint.

Next, draw petals on the cut clear file with a permanent marker and attach the craft-punched petals.

Finally, combine the decorated blossom section with the handprint cherry tree trunk, and it’s complete!

Cherry blossom tree made with plastic bags

Blow into it and make it! Let me show you how to create a cherry blossom tree using a plastic bag.

You’ll need construction paper, a plastic bag, paint, a cherry tree shape made from construction paper, and glue or double-sided tape.

First, tie the bottom of the plastic bag tightly, turn it inside out, then blow into it and tie it off.

Dab paint onto the plastic bag, which will be puffed up like a balloon, and stamp it onto the paper to make big cherry blossom petals! Attach the cherry tree cutout made from construction paper, and you’re done!

Cherry blossoms made with newspaper stamps

Let’s make use of familiar materials! I’ll introduce an idea for creating cherry blossoms with a newspaper stamp.

You’ll need drawing paper, crayons, newspaper, paint, and a paper plate.

First, use a crayon to draw the cherry tree trunk on the drawing paper.

Next, put some paint onto the paper plate.

A single color looks nice, but I recommend using two colors so you can enjoy how they blend and change.

Finally, pick up paint with a crumpled piece of newspaper and dab it onto the paper—stamp, stamp—and you’ll have a tree full of cherry blossoms!

Cherry blossom petal stamp

The gently bleeding paint is beautiful! Let me introduce a cherry blossom petal stamp.

You’ll need: an empty lactic acid beverage bottle, vinyl tape, scissors, cushion foam sheet, a pen, a paper cup, a sponge, paint, drawing paper, and a plastic bottle cap.

First, let’s make the stamp.

Attach the plastic bottle cap and petal-shaped pieces cut from the cushion sheet to the empty beverage bottle, then reinforce with vinyl tape—that’s it! For the stamp pad, use a paper cup.

Cut the sponge into a circle, then add pink-mixed paint and water.

This handmade cherry blossom petal stamp lets you create beautifully old-fashioned-looking sakura, so it’s a highly recommended craft!

Koinobori made with stamps

Let’s make use of scrap materials we’d usually throw away! Here’s an idea for making koi-shaped streamers using stamps.

What you’ll need: construction paper cut into a koi streamer shape, brushes, a palette, paints, koi streamer parts made from construction paper, glue, rubber bands, an empty lactic-acid drink bottle, and bubble wrap.

Bubble wrap makes a fun “pop-pop!” sound when you press it with your fingers, but this time, let’s use it for crafting without popping it! Attach a piece of cut bubble wrap to the empty drink bottle with a rubber band to make a stamp.

Dab your favorite paint colors onto the construction paper and have fun! You’ll get patterns that look just like scales on a koi streamer.

Tulips made with sensory play

Here’s a fun sensory play idea using paint to make tulips! You’ll need light blue construction paper, white construction paper, crayons, watercolor paints, a zip-top plastic bag or plastic wrap, scissors, and glue.

Squeeze the paint straight from the tube onto the white paper, then place it inside the zip-top bag.

Spread the paint with your fingers over the bag; the paint will squish and stretch nicely.

Kids will love the cool, smooth feel and watching the colors blend together! Once the painted white paper is dry, cut it into tulip shapes and glue them onto the light blue paper.

Finish by drawing stems and leaves with crayons!

A mimosa bouquet made from handprints

Let me share an idea for a mimosa bouquet made with children’s adorable handprints.

You’ll need: a sheet of construction paper for the base, masking tape or patterned origami paper, paper doilies, light green construction paper, yellow tissue paper, glue or double-sided tape, pink tissue paper, and ribbon.

Children grow up in the blink of an eye, don’t they? How about turning their cute, one-of-a-kind handprints into a craft while you can? Take their handprints on the construction paper, then stick on bits of torn, crumpled tissue paper.

The step where you roll the tissue into little balls seems like it would be lots of fun!