Finger Painting Emotions Tree
Do you enjoy watching the color of the leaves change during Fall? I do too! The leaves can be many different colors such as orange, yellow, red, or brown during Fall. With this activity, we will connect with our feelings and what makes us feel these emotions by creating a colorful tree using finger painting!
Supplies:
One sheet of white construction/cardstock paper
Brown paint
Paint in at least 5 different colors of your choice
Pencil/Pen
Paintbrush
Before you begin, make sure you are doing this activity on a clean and flat surface since paint can be messy. Also, make sure to get permission from an adult or have an adult help you when using paint. You can always ask for help while doing this activity!
Step 1: First, we are going to create our tree. For this step you will need your construction paper and pencil. We are going to trace our hand and arm to create the trunk and branches. The trunk is the tall part of the tree and the branches are what hold the leaves at the top of the tree. When you pick up a stick on the ground near a tree, you’re picking up a smaller branch that fell off! For you to trace your hand and arm, you first need to place the hand you are not holding the pencil with at the top of the paper and spread them out wide. It may be easier to trace with the hand you write with. You want your hand closer to the top of the paper so that your wrist fits on the paper. Using your pencil, you are going to trace your hand and arm.
Step 2: Now, we will be painting the tree. For this step you will need your brown paint and paint brush. Remember, using paint can get messy, so get an adult if you need help! First, you will need to get your paintbrush and dip it into your brown paint. Next, use your paintbrush to paint your hand and arm. When you are done, your entire tree should be painted brown.
Step 3: Once your entire tree is painted brown, you can put your paintbrush away. Then, set your paper to the side to let it dry for about 10-15 minutes. Now we can begin painting!
Step 4: Now that your tree is dry, we are going to make the leaves. Remember, the leaves will be different colors based on our feelings, so we need to find out what those colors are. First, let’s think about a place that makes us happy. The library is a place that makes me happy because I love to read. Then, once you have thought of a place, close your eyes and think of that place. What color do you see? When I close my eyes and think about the library I see green. Now that you have your color, you can paint the leaves by dipping your finger in the paint of the color you saw and making dots on the tree branch. When you are done finger painting you can either clean your finger or use another one for the next emotion.
Step 5: Now, let’s think about a person or a few people that make us feel loved when we spend time with them. Spending time with my sisters makes me feel loved. Then, once you have thought of a person or a few people, close your eyes and think about that person or few people. What color do you see? When I close my eyes and think about my sisters, I see pink. Now that you have your color, you can paint the leaves by dipping your finger in the paint of the color you saw and making dots on the tree branch. When you are done finger painting you can either clean your finger or use another one for the next emotion.
Step 6: Now, let’s think about an activity that makes us feel joyful. Dancing is an activity that makes me feel joyful because I get to create my own dance moves. Then, once you have thought of that activity, close your eyes and think about that activity. What color do you see? When I close my eyes and think about dancing I see red. Now that you have your color, you can paint the leaves by dipping your finger in the paint of the color you saw and making dots on the tree branch. When you are done finger painting you can either clean your finger or use another one for the next emotion.
Step 7: Now, let’s think about something that makes us feel proud. I got an award for volleyball and that made me feel proud because I did my best. Then, once you have thought of the thing that makes you feel proud, close your eyes and think about that specific thing. What color do you see? When I close my eyes and think about my award, I see purple. Now that you have your color, you can paint the leaves by dipping your finger in the paint of the color you saw and making dots on the tree branch. When you are done finger painting you can either clean your finger or use another one for the next emotion. We’re almost done!
Step 8: Now, let’s think of an activity that makes us feel creative. Dressing up makes me feel creative because I am in control of the colors and accessories for my outfit. Then, once you have thought of that activity, close your eyes and think about that activity. What color do you see? When I close my eyes and think about dressing up I see yellow. Now that you have your color, you can paint the leaves by dipping your finger in the paint of the color you saw and making dots on the tree branch. When you are done finger painting you can clean all of your fingers since we are done painting.
Step 9: Now that your hands are clean, set your painting to the side so it can dry. It should take about 10 minutes to dry. We’re done!
Your emotions tree is now done! I hope you had fun making your tree and thinking about your emotions like I did! Be sure to clean up your area and put away all materials. Now when you hang up your tree, you can remember the people, places, and things and how they make you feel!
~ Made By: Danasia M.