Christmas Tree Air Freshener Craft for Kids

While we were sitting around our house, for yet the latest round of sickness (we can't be the only people who have been sick for the past three months right? I mean, it's bad this year, right? Humor me, ANYONE!), I had an idea.

Probably not the best one, considering I'm a little congested, but I could still smell the end result! In my book, it's a win.

Awhile back, I had done a post about a scavenger hunt using the five senses. One of those, was smell. I also, did a Smell Lab. Everything is very hands on with kids, and they get messy and love it. This incorporates both mess and smell.

The Christmas Tree (or cut out of your choosing) Air Freshener Craft for kids! (You can also alter this to be part of a children's ministry craft for the holidays. I'll get to that in a minute.)

What you need:

A Cut Out

Construction Paper

Double Sided Tape

Scissors

Glue

Markers, Paint, Glitter (Whatever to decorate your items)

Smell (I used Nutmeg and Mint)

Hole Punch

Ribbon

I got my Christmas Tree cut out from Color Me Good's website.

I cut that out, and traced it onto some green construction paper. I made four trees, that way I could double them up and glue them together to seal in the smell items.

After all the tracing, I quickly cut them all out. Each kid, got two trees to decorate however they wanted (whatever we had quickly in reach).

(Anyone notice the shirt?) We had just wrapped a few of daddy's presents yesterday and had some left over wrapping paper, so we used some glue and let them apply some scrap pieces of that as well. Nothing like a little "upcycling."

Once they were decorated, it was time for us to add our smell.

I took a few pieces of double sided tape and applied it to the back of each tree. You can go crazy and put lots or a little. It's up to you.

After the tape, I used nutmeg for one tree and sprinkled it all over the tape for both the trees.

 When I was done with the nutmeg, I used Mint Flavoring for the other trees. Working with this was a little hard, and so I just dabbed it all on with my fingers. I did get off the tape a little bit, but it dries clear, so it isn't an issue. I wasn't entirely sure how much to use (again I'm a little stuffy) so I was a little on the cautious side. I'm also a realist and understand this won't smell forever.

But, I applied anyway. Oh, what fun! (Name that song! If you follow me on Facebook, you know that's a game we've been playing!)

I glued the trees together (mint with mint, and nutmeg with nutmeg). Then using my hole punch, I punched a hole at the top of each tree, and then used my ribbon to make hangers out of them.

The cool thing about these, is that you can do these any time of the year. They actually do smell (however, I'm not sure how long they will). But, they could make a cute car freshener for the grandparents, if they're coming over for the holidays, or even your own car. Or, just add a little extra Christmas scent to your tree, like we did!

You could totally make these for Valentine's Day too, using a heart template, and peppermint, or some perfume, and give it as a valentine. Obviously, the list could go on and on. Have fun with them!

I did mention before that you could totally use this for a Sunday School/Children's Ministry Craft idea. Here is how it would work. You'd do all the same steps as before to make them, but you'd be incorporating the Birth of Jesus Story. Specifically, the bible verse of Matthew 2:11:

"They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

I'm not sure you can find frankincense quickly or easily in the U.S. (I've never looked) but you can substitute for different scents and they can have a craft kind of like the three wise men. You can use gold glitter, and let your mind run with fun ideas for kids.

Do you follow me on Facebook? Do you follow me on Pinterest? You Should! I'd love to see your crafts you've made! Upload a photo to Antidotes For Mom Facebook page! It is the holiday season for sharing!

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