Make it with kids: Tissue paper and yarn trees

Keep the little ones busy with a simple and colorful project that will have them crafting all afternoon.

This project is perfect for kids of all ages and a great way to use up scraps of yarn and tissue paper. The combination of Mod Podge Gloss and glitter creates an ultra-shiny look that kids love. Use up scraps of tissue paper or color-coordinate them to your home decorating style. Old magazines, wrapping-paper scraps and old book pages make amazing designs, too.

Yarn scraps can be color-coordinated to the paper — or go wild with mixed designs. The instructions are just a springboard for children's imaginations. Cover the table with a plastic cloth and let the kids create their own designs. Place bowls with pompoms, sequins, ribbons or other embellishments and let them glue them to the trees in their desired patterns.

For teachers or anyone else wanting to make this in bulk, visit online shops like Create For Less, where you can find larger quantities of cones. If you have a local floral-supply shop, try it, too. Dollar stores can also be a good resource for cones.

Grab some cones, scrap tissue paper and yarn, and have the kids craft a custom tree decoration for your home this holiday season.

Materials:

Mod Podge Gloss

Glitter — ultra-fine

3 Styrofoam trees — different sizes

Scissors

Tissue paper — pink, pale green and turquoise

Yarn — raspberry; olive, dark turquoise

Wax paper

Optional: School glue and scrap embellishments

Steps:

1. Cut the tissue paper into small, random-shaped squares. Apply the squares to the Styrofoam tree with Mod Podge. Top-coat with a layer of Mod Podge. Add additional layers of tissue. Allow for drying time between layers.

2. Cut the yarn into 3- to 5-foot-long pieces. (Use more yarn for a fuller wrap and less yarn for an open look.) Pool some Mod Podge onto a piece of wax paper, add glitter to the Mod Podge, stir to combine. Saturate the yarn in the Mod Podge and glitter. Wrap the wet yarn around the cones. Allow to dry.

3. Optional: Use school glue to attach other embellishments (pompoms, sequins or ribbons).

Cathie Filian is a lifestyle expert, Emmy-nominated television host, author and designer. Learn more about Cathie at www.cathiefilian.com