Every tree tells a story. With this craft, you get to build your own including leaf by leaf, bean by bean.

The branches hold cardboard pockets shaped like leaves, each one filled with lentils, peas, or corn kernels.

When the beans settle in place, it looks like autumn frozen in time, a reminder of the changing seasons captured on cardboard.

Materials Needed

• 1 piece of sturdy cardboard (10”×12”)
• 1 dry tree branch (about 8” long, 1 cm thick)
• 3 cardboard tubes (toilet rolls, cut into 1”-2” leaf shapes)
• 1/2 cup green split peas (5-6 mm)
• 1/4 cup orange lentils (3-4 mm)
• 1/4 cup popcorn kernels (6-8 mm)
• Hot glue gun with glue sticks
• Scissors

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Glue your tree branch vertically in the center of the cardboard to act as the trunk and main stem.

Step 2: Cut cardboard tubes into small oval shapes, then pinch each end slightly to make leaf-like forms.

Step 3: Glue these cardboard leaves around the branch, arranging them like a real tree canopy.

Step 4: Apply glue to the inside of each leaf and fill them with different beans including green split peas, orange lentils, or corn kernels.

Step 5: Let everything dry flat overnight. Once complete, tilt the board slightly to shake off any loose beans.

Tips:

For added charm, you can paint the cardboard leaves before gluing or mix small beans together for a textured look.

If making this with kids, try letting them choose which beans go in each leaf, it makes the tree even more personal.