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Step by step · ages 3 to 8

How to draw a Christmas tree

A star, four wavy layers and a pot. That's a Christmas tree, and your child can draw it in six steps.

Watch the tree draw itself one step at a time, then try it on paper. The harder version adds three strings of lights and a bulb on every one, which keeps a seven year old busy for a good while.

Watch it draw itselfThe stepsPrint the step sheet

Watch, then draw

Watch it draw itself

The red lines are the new ones. Draw them on your paper, then press Next step. Or press play and watch the whole thing first.

Step 1 of 6

Let's draw a Christmas tree! First, a star right at the top.

The video, with a voice for every step

0:36 long, the easy version. Pause it after each step while the pencils catch up.

How to draw a Christmas tree, step by step

Easy, ages 3 to 5 · 6 steps

  1. Step 1. Let's draw a Christmas tree! First, a star right at the top.

  2. Step 2. Now the top of the tree, with a wavy bottom like a skirt.

  3. Step 3. Now two more wavy layers under it, each one a bit wider.

  4. Step 4. Now the biggest layer at the bottom, left side then right side.

  5. Step 5. Now round ornaments on every layer. How many can you fit?

  6. Step 6. Last, a little trunk and a pot. What a beautiful tree!

A bit harder, ages 6 to 8 · 8 steps

  1. Step 1. Let's draw a Christmas tree! First, a star right at the top.

  2. Step 2. Now the top of the tree, with a wavy bottom like a skirt.

  3. Step 3. Now the second layer, a bit wider, with a wavy bottom too.

  4. Step 4. Now two more layers, each one bigger. Wavy bottoms again!

  5. Step 5. Now three strings of lights, swooping across the tree like big smiles.

  6. Step 6. Now a little round bulb hanging all along each string of lights.

  7. Step 7. Now hanging ornaments with tiny hooks, one or two on each layer.

  8. Step 8. Last, a trunk and a pot to stand in. What a sparkly tree!

Print · free, no sign-up

Two pages: every step with its words, then a frame to draw your own Christmas tree in. Black and white, US Letter or A4.

  • Easy, ages 3 to 5

    6 steps on page 1, a frame to draw in on page 2.

    PrintUS LetterA4

  • A bit harder, ages 6 to 8

    8 steps on page 1, a frame to draw in on page 2.

    PrintUS LetterA4

Free for home and classroom use. To pass them on, please share the link to this page and not the file.

Make it yours

  • Add a present under the tree for everyone in your family, with a name on each one.
  • Draw a string of lights from one side to the other and color every bulb a different color.
  • Give the tree a face. Trees have feelings too, at least on paper.

Rather color one in? Christmas tree coloring pages, free to print or color on a phone or tablet.

Our own book

The Christmas Secret

A Christmas Eve picture book with a read-along · ages 3 to 7 · out on October 20

Our book ends under a Christmas tree, where a girl holds a little present from Santa that will remind her of that night forever.

Out on October 20See inside the book

Questions

Grown-ups ask

What's the easiest way to draw a Christmas tree?

Start with the star at the top, then stack four wavy layers under it, each one a bit wider, and finish with a little trunk in a pot. Our easy version does exactly that, in six steps.

Which level should my child try?

Start with easy, whatever their age. Easy is a handful of big shapes, and a bit harder adds the small details. If easy is done in a minute, switch.

What do we need?

Paper and a pencil, and crayons or markers to color it in afterwards. A thick marker is easier for little hands than a pencil, and an eraser saves a lot of tears.

Can I print the steps?

Yes, free, in US Letter or A4, one for each level. Print at 100% so the steps come out big enough to copy. All 16 drawings in one file come by email, from the box on this page.

More Christmas drawings

More Christmas

Or see all of them on one page, from the weeks before Christmas to the night itself.