Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Christmas Tessellation Art Project for Kids • Kids Activities Blog

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School-aged kids will learn to create Christmas themed rotating tessellations in this project. This mess-free lesson is perfect for home or classroom use.

completed Christmas rotational tessellation projects using colored pencils and marker - kids activities blog
Easily create rotational tessellations with this Christmas themed project

What is a Tessellation?

A tessellation is when a geometric shape (or tile) repeats itself over and over again, covering a 2D or 3D surface without any gaps or overlaps. 

My Modern Met

We will be creating a rotational form of tessellations within this project. The pattern will not only repeat, but will do so in a rotational manner around a central point.

Related: Learn about a more basic form of tessellation here.

Supplies Needed to Make This Christmas Tessellation Art Project

supplies needed for christmas tessellations include cardstock, tracing paper, colored pencils, marker, tape, and scissors - kids activities blog
A few basic supplies are needed for this project
  • Cardstock – cut into squares (we used 3 inch squares)
  • Tracing Paper
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Pencil
  • Colored Pencil
  • Permanent Marker

Directions to Make a Christmas Tessellation

Step 1

step 1 - cut a shape from the right of the square and swing it to the top of the tessellation shape. tape in place- kids activities blog
cut right side from square and swing it to the top of the tessellation. tape in place.

Begin by cutting the right side of the square into a unique shape. Swing the cut piece up to the top of the square. Tape into place.

Step 2

step 2 - cut shape from the left of the square and swing to the bottom of the tessellation. tape in place - kids activities blog
cut shape from the left of the square and swing it to the bottom of the tessellation

Next, cut the left side of the square into a unique shape. Swing the cut piece up to the bottom of the tessellation. Tape into place.

Step 3

step 3 - competed tessellation blank awaiting design details - kids activities blog
look at tessellation blank to determine design details

Now, look at the tessellation blank and determine design details. Sketch design using a pencil and then finalize sketch using a permanent marker.

Step 4

step 4 - tracing tessellation tile onto tracing paper - kids activities blog
place tessellation tile under paper and trace

Next, place tessellation tile under tracing paper. Use pencil or permanent marker to trace design onto paper.

Step 5

step 5 - rotating tessellation tile and tracing with a permanent marker to cover entire page - kids activities blog
tessellation tiles should fit together like puzzle pieces

Then, rotate tessellation to align edges with the tessellation you drew in the previous step. Trace. Continue to rotate, move, and trace the tessellation tile around the paper until the entire page is covered with your design.

Step 6

step 6 - tracing design using a permanent marker - kids activities blog
Trace with a permanent marker and erase unwanted pencil lines

If desired, trace sketch using a permanent marker and erased unwanted pencil lines.

Step 7

step 7 - using colore dpencils to complete tessellation drawing- kids activities blog
color and add finishing details

Finally, color and add any finishing details.

Finished Christmas Tessellation Art Project

completed christmas tessellations of trees, ornaments, and presents - kids activities blof
Our completed Christmas Tessellation masterpieces!

I love how these Christmas themed rotational tessellations turned out! Since these projects are made on paper, they can easily be framed, clipped, or displayed in your preferred style with your seasonal decorations. 

Our Experience Making this Christmas Tessellations Art Project

Tessellations are some of my favorite things to draw. I love how easy it is to create repeating patterns and the endless possibilities they supply. Everyone starts out with the same basic square tile, but everyone creates vastly different completed works of art.

Prep Time
5 minutes

Active Time
30 minutes

Total Time
35 minutes

Difficulty
Medium

Estimated Cost
$1

Materials

  • Cardstock – cut into squares (we used 3 inch squares)
  • Tracing Paper

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Pencil
  • Colored Pencil
  • Permanent Marker

Instructions

  1. Cut the right side of the square into a unique shape. Swing the cut piece up to the top of the square. Tape into place.
  2. Cut the left side of the square into a unique shape. Swing the cut piece up to the bottom of the tessellation. Tape into place.
  3. Look at the tessellation blank and determine design details. Sketch design using a pencil and then finalize sketch using a permanent marker.
  4. Place tessellation tile under tracing paper. Use pencil or permanent marker to trace design onto paper.
  5. Rotate tessellation to align edges with the tessellation you drew in the previous step. Trace. Continue to rotate, move, and trace the tessellation tile around the paper until the entire page is covered with your design.
  6. Trace sketch using a permanent marker and erased unwanted pencil lines.
  7. Color and add any finishing details.

Notes

Christmas Tessellations Art Variations

  • Use transfer paper to transfer tile image onto another type of paper.
  • Adjust size of tessellation tiles to allow different pattern sizes. I generally have younger kids create larger, less detailed, tiles.
  • Use a light box or sunny window to trace tile design onto copy paper.
  • Adjust theme to fit any season or holiday.

Christmas Tessellations Art Variations

  • Use transfer paper to transfer tile image onto another type of paper.
  • Adjust size of tessellation tiles to allow different pattern sizes. I generally have younger kids create larger, less detailed, tiles.
  • Use a light box or sunny window to trace tile design onto copy paper.
  • Adjust theme to fit any season or holiday.

Other Fun Christmas Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog

Did your kids love making tessellations? What design did they create on their tile?



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