Tissue Paper Fall Tree Handprint Craft

I just love all the trees made by tracing the hand and arm for the trunk! Here's a handprint fall tree craft using tissue paper for the leaves. It's a great Autumn craft for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners. (Originally published 11/13/2009 and updated on 9/17/2020).

I saw this fun idea over at Momma's Playground. She used crumpled tissue paper for her leaves. Since my son is toddler aged, I thought it would be great to do torn tissue paper leaves instead. This is great for using fine motor muscles which he will need for writing. See how easy it is to recreate this tissue paper fall tree craft with your little one below!

Supplies Needed for the Autumn Kids Craft

• tissue paper, autumn colors
• brown construction paper
• white cardstock or construction paper for the background
• white school glue
• water
• small container
• paintbrush
• scissors

Handprint Fall Tree Craft with Tissue Paper Leaves

To make this Handprint Tree, I traced my son's hand and arm on brown construction paper. Then, just cut it out  and glue it to another sheet of paper.

To make the leaves, you will need tissue paper in Autumn colors such as brown, red, orange, and yellow. My toddler's favorite part was helping me rip the tissue paper into tiny pieces. He is not old enough to use scissors and this is a great way to use the motor skills he does have.

Next, I made a homemade mod podge and helped him paint the glue over most of the page. To make the mod podge, mix white school glue with water until it is a paint-like consistency.

Next, he placed the little tissue paper leaves onto the paper while I painted back over it with the mod podge to seal it in. My son went a little crazy (OK, a LOT crazy!) and had a HUGE pile of leaves on the page at one point! I had to take the pile of leaves away and just give him a few pieces at a time instead...lol! Painting back over the top of the tissue paper is optional. It will look fine either way with it having a finished, glossier look if you do decide to paint back over it.

The tissue paper fall tree craft is ready to hang up in your home! Change out the colors of tissue paper for different seasons. Here are a few other handprint trees we have made in the past: Fingerprint Cherry Blossom Trees, Handprint Tree of Thanks Paper Craft, and Puffy Paint Winter Handprint Tree.