Easy Accordion Tree Ornaments: A Festive DIY Craft for All Ages

As the holiday season approaches and winter breaks loom large, many parents find themselves searching for engaging and creative activities to keep little hands busy. Look no further! These Easy Accordion Tree Ornaments are the perfect solution, offering a delightful craft experience that yields beautiful results. Whether adorning your Christmas tree, adding a handmade touch to a gift, or simply serving as a fun pastime, these ornaments are sure to bring smiles and festive cheer.

Why You’ll Love This Festive DIY Ornament Project

The magic of these accordion tree ornaments lies in their simplicity and charm. They’re incredibly fun to make and so straightforward that even younger children can complete them with minimal assistance, fostering a sense of accomplishment and creative independence. Imagine your six-year-old proudly hanging their handmade creation on the tree! Beyond the joy of crafting, these ornaments offer several benefits:

Keeps Kids Engaged: A fantastic way to beat holiday boredom and channel children’s energy into a productive, creative outlet.
Develops Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, folding, and attaching small elements help hone dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Budget-Friendly: Made primarily from cardstock and washi tape, this craft is an economical choice for holiday decorating.
Versatile Decoration: Perfect for hanging on the Christmas tree, using as unique gift toppers, or even creating a festive garland.
Customizable: With an endless array of washi tape colors and patterns, each ornament can be a unique reflection of personal style and holiday themes.

Imagine gifting a present wrapped in simple brown paper, then topped with one of these charming handmade trees. It elevates the entire presentation, adding a personal and heartfelt touch that store-bought bows simply can’t match. Let’s gather our supplies and get ready to create some holiday magic!

Materials Needed for Your Accordion Tree Ornaments

One of the best aspects of this craft is that it requires only a few basic and readily available materials. You might even have most of these items already stashed in your craft drawer!

White Cardstock: Sturdy cardstock works best as it holds its shape well. A single sheet is typically enough to create three ornaments, depending on their desired size.
Scissors: For cutting the cardstock and washi tape. Child-safe scissors are appropriate for younger crafters.
Adhesive Dots: These provide a strong, clean bond, perfect for attaching elements without mess.
Twine and/or Ribbon: Essential for creating the hanging loop for your ornaments and adding a rustic or elegant touch.
Hole Punch: A standard single-hole punch is all you need to create the opening for the twine.
Popsicle Sticks: These serve as the sturdy “trunk” for your trees. You can use plain wooden sticks, pre-colored ones, or even paint them to match your ornament’s theme.
Star Stencil: For perfectly shaped stars. Alternatively, you can use a printed template or freehand draw your stars.
OPTIONAL: White Paint and Paint Brush: If you wish to paint your popsicle sticks or add decorative touches to your stars.
Scotch® Expressions Washi Tape in various colors and patterns: This is the star of the show! Washi tape is easy to use, comes in an incredible variety of designs, and adds vibrant color and texture to your trees. For this project, we used Techno Blue, Green/White Swiss Dot, and classic Green to create a festive trio.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Accordion Tree Ornaments

Step 1: Gather and Prepare Your Materials

Before you begin, lay out all your materials on a clean, flat surface. This makes the crafting process smoother and more enjoyable, especially when working with children. Seeing all the colorful tapes and tools can also spark excitement for the project ahead!

Step 2: Create Your Cardstock Base and Apply Washi Tape

Take your white cardstock and cut it into three rectangular pieces. The size of these rectangles will determine the final height and width of your accordion trees. For varied ornaments, try cutting different sized rectangles. For the ornaments pictured, one standard sheet of cardstock yielded all three trees. Once cut, lay a piece of cardstock flat. Begin applying horizontal strips of your chosen Scotch® Expressions Washi Tape. Experiment with different colors and patterns! For instance, you could use a solid color, then a patterned one, or leave small gaps of white cardstock showing between the tape strips, as done with the Techno Blue tape in this project. This adds visual interest and creates a charming striped effect.

Step 3: Fold and Prepare for Hanging

Carefully turn your cardstock over. Any excess washi tape extending beyond the edges should be folded neatly over to the backside of the cardstock. This creates clean edges and prevents the tape from peeling. Now, it’s time to create the accordion fold! Starting from one end, fold the cardstock back and forth like a fan. Aim for consistent, crisp folds to ensure your ornament looks neat and holds its shape well.

Once the entire piece is folded, keep it folded securely. Using your hole punch, carefully punch a hole through one end of the folded cardstock. It’s important to punch the hole not too close to the very edge, otherwise, the paper might tear. This hole will be used to thread the hanging loop later. Next, take a popsicle stick and adhere a few adhesive dots to one end. Gently unfold your accordion-folded cardstock. Press the end of the popsicle stick with the adhesive dots firmly to the backside (the non-washi-tape side) of what will be the base of your tree. This secures the “trunk” of your ornament.

Step 4: Add the Star and Hanging Loop

For the quintessential tree-topper, you’ll need a star! You can print out a star template, use a handy star stencil, or if you’re feeling artistic, freehand draw a star. To ensure your star complements your tree, cover it with matching washi tape before carefully cutting it out. Now, cut a piece of twine or ribbon—about 6-8 inches is a good starting length. Thread one end of the twine through the hole you punched in the folded cardstock.

Pull the twine tight against the top of the accordion fold and secure it with a double knot. This knot creates the pointed top of your Christmas tree ornament. Then, take the two ends of the twine and tie them together to form a loop. This loop is what you’ll use to hang your beautiful ornament. Finally, take an adhesive dot and attach your washi tape star to the front of the tree, right above the folded paper section, ensuring it’s perfectly centered.

Step 5: Create More Ornaments!

Now that you’ve mastered the first ornament, repeat the previous steps to create two more accordion tree ornaments! Experiment with different Scotch® Expressions Washi Tapes, such as the charming Green/White Swiss Dot and a vibrant solid Green, to create a delightful set. Each ornament can have its own personality!

Creative Variations and Tips for Success

This craft is incredibly adaptable, allowing for endless creativity. Here are some ideas to make your Accordion Tree Ornaments even more special:

Vary Sizes: Create a collection of ornaments in different sizes for a dynamic look on your tree.
Sparkle and Shine: Add glitter glue to the stars or along the edges of the accordion folds for extra holiday sparkle.
Different Papers: While washi tape is fantastic, you could also use patterned scrapbook paper, colorful construction paper, or even decorate plain paper with markers and stamps before folding.
Embellishments: Attach small beads, sequins, or tiny buttons to your trees with adhesive dots for added texture.
Gift Tags: Instead of a hanging loop, attach a small label to the back and use these as personalized gift tags.
Garland Fun: Make several smaller ornaments and string them together to create a festive garland for a mantelpiece or doorway.
Theme It Up: Choose washi tapes that match a specific theme, like “Candy Cane Forest” with red and white stripes, or “Winter Wonderland” with blues and silvers.
Parental Guidance: For very young children, parents can pre-cut the cardstock and stars, allowing the kids to focus on the fun parts like applying tape and folding.

The Perfect “Keep ‘Em Busy” Project

These Easy Accordion Tree Ornaments are truly what we call a “keep ’em busy” project – and those are always a favorite during school breaks! They provide a wonderful opportunity for imaginative play, hands-on learning, and creating cherished holiday memories. The simple steps ensure that the craft is accessible to most ages, while the creative possibilities keep it interesting for everyone.

So, as the days grow shorter and the festive spirit takes hold, gather your family, pick out your favorite washi tapes, and embark on this delightful crafting adventure. You’ll not only create beautiful decorations but also create lasting memories of a joyous holiday season.

Discover More Fun Christmas Crafts!

Looking for more creative ways to celebrate the holidays? Explore these other fantastic DIY Christmas projects:

Adorable Clay Pot Snowmen

Easy Gift Wrap Medallion Ornaments

Festive Stocking Silverware Holder

Wood Snowman Ornaments

Candy Cane Mice

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Have a creative and wonderful day!

Disclosure: I have been selected to be a brand ambassador for Scotch Brands, and this post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links.