Who’s Hiding Under the Christmas Tree? Simple Surprising Paper Craft

Christmas tree paper craft with a hidden character surprise, 7 festive characters, color and black-and-white options, and printable tree templates for kindergarten and first grade. Make a Christmas craft with a little surprise inside! Who’s Hiding Under the Christmas Tree? is a peek-and-surprise paper craft where children create a festive tree that opens to reveal a hidden character. Choose Santa, a polar bear, a snowman, a penguin, a reindeer, a dog, or a gnome, then fold the tree to hide the character inside. When the tree is opened, the surprise is revealed! This Christmas craft combines cutting, folding, gluing, and decorating in one engaging activity. Children can choose their own tree colors, add paper snowflakes and colorful baubles, and create a finished picture to display in the classroom or take home as a seasonal gift. What’s Included - Black-and-white tree templates (print on any colored paper) - 7 ready-to-use characters: Santa, reindeer, snowman, bear, penguin, dog, and gnome - Clear step-by-step instruction What you need - 1 sheet of dark background paper - 2 sheets of double-sided colored paper for the trees - Small piece of brown paper for the trunk - Colored paper for circles to make snow and baubles - Scissors and glue Educational value: This Christmas craft supports fine motor development through cutting, folding, and gluing. The accordion folds introduce children to how paper can create depth and a three-dimensional effect. Choosing colors, selecting a character, and decorating the finished picture encourage creativity and independent decision-making. The activity also gives children an opportunity to follow sequential instructions, practice careful hand movements, and complete a project from start to finish. Best for • Kindergarten and first grade (ages 5–7) • Preschool and early elementary Christmas activities • December art and craft centers • Christmas classroom decorations and hallway displays • Holiday parties and seasonal classroom projects • Take-home crafts and handmade gifts • Fine motor practice and creative activities The finished pictures look especially festive when displayed together, with every child choosing a different character to hide inside their tree. Bring a little Christmas magic to your classroom! Print the templates, choose a hidden friend, and let the surprise unfold.