The holiday season is a wonderful time to show our family members how much we love them. The Helpful Tree is a symbolic and interactive way to do so. Each leaf represents a helpful task that falls off the tree when completed.
Age
Preschool, School-age, Tweens, Teens, AdultsNumber of Players
5 to 10Prep Time
20 minutes or moreTime Length
Indefinite (as long as you want!)Difficulty
Easy peasy (fun and simple)Indoor/Outdoor
IndoorsSpace Needed
Small (a clearable open space the size of a 1-car garage)Noise Level
QuietMess Factor
Dustpan, pleaseSupplies
Setup
1. Using construction paper, cut out a tree trunk and multi-colored fall leaves.
2. On each leaf, write an activity or nice thing that you can do for someone in your family. For example: give Daddy a hug, clean my room, help with the dishes, brush the dog, etc.
3. Using tape, attach all the leaves to the tree.
How to Play
1. Over the course of the next few weeks, people in the family will complete the good deeds written on the leaves.
2. Just as trees lose their leaves in the fall, the Helpful Tree's leaves will fall (be removed) by the person who completes the helpful activity.
3. Each family member can make piles of their good deed leaves.
4. At the end of each week, family members can talk and reflect upon the good deeds they completed.
5. Also at the end of each week, more leaves can be added to the tree.