Michelle over at Apples and ABC's combined two crafty ideas to create an Earth Day cherry blossom tree you are sure to love! She took the basics of painting with a soda bottle and added in a cardboard twist to bring the branches to life. And even better, the craft will teach your kiddos all about using recycled materials (empty soda bottles, cardboard and paper). Perfect for celebrating Earth Day!!

Earth Day Tree

Materials You Will Need:

You will need to collect several liter size soda bottles and cardboard before you complete this project with your class. To get your students involved in the concept of recycling, ask them to bring these used items from home a week or so before you'll need them. In preparation, you'll also want to split the cardboard, exposing the "ridged" side to get a true bark look.

Provide each of your students with a white piece of paper and a small section of cardboard. Have them cut the cardboard into strips and glue them onto their paper to create a tree trunk and branches (ridged side up).

With the tree branches complete, have your students paint on their pink blossoms using the bottom of a soda bottle.

As a fun twist, you could give your kiddos the option of creating an apple tree instead. Simply use green paint instead of pink.

How cute would these be on a classroom wall surrounded by recycling ideas written out on pink and green paper?!? Have a brainstorming session with your kiddos on ways to help the environment to complete your Earth Day display.