Things You'll Need
Toilet paper roll or paper towel roll
Brown tempera paint
Paintbrush
Scissors
Green construction paper
Glue
Paper banana trees are a great decoration for any jungle- or monkey-themed party, and they make a fun craft project for kids who are learning about jungle plants. Making banana trees can help kids visualize where their food comes from. They can learn about the many different kinds of banana trees and plants that exist and tailor their own project to look like their favorite. All you need is a few basic art supplies for hands-on learning and fun.
Trunk
Step 1
Stand your toilet paper or paper towel roll up on a piece of newspaper.
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Step 2
Paint the roll all over, holding it steady at the top.
Step 3
Let dry.
Banana Leaves
Step 1
Cut several oblong leaves out of green construction paper. The size you cut your leaves will depend on whether you have a paper towel roll trunk or a toilet paper roll trunk.
Step 2
Cut thin, arc-shaped wedges out of your leaves down each side, or crease your leaves sharply in the middle vertically and make multiple creases down the leaf horizontally so that your leaves resemble banana leaves. The way you decorate your leaves depends on the type of banana tree you want to make.
Step 3
Fold the sides of each leaf inward at the base so that the leaf faces downward and has a stem.
Assemble the Tree
Step 1
Cut several half-inch slits downward all the way around the top of your trunk.
Step 2
Apply glue to the inside of each slit; then insert the stem of each banana leaf into the slit. Position the leaves so that they tilt upward.
Step 3
Set the tree in a safe place until the glue is completely dry.
Tip
Look at pictures of different types of banana trees to inspire your leaf design.
Add bananas, if desired, by twisting yellow or green tissue paper and gluing the twists into bunches.
Warning
Provide young children with safety scissors for cutting.
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