The Lightbox may be closed until further notice, but our philosophy that art has the power to make you feel good still stands.

Whilst many are self-isolating following government advice, finding ways to boost wellbeing and feel good at home are imperative towards maintaining healthy bodies and minds.

Getting creative with the kids is a great way to keep them entertained for hours and help their imaginations continue to run wild while staying at home. Over the course of our closure, we'll be sharing quick and easy-to-follow guides for fun family crafts using bits and pieces from around the house.

Make and decorate an Easter Egg Tree using recycled paper in this step-by-step guide.

Equipment needed:

For the tree:

• Newspaper
• Scissors
• Tape
• Card (a square of cereal box will do)
• Glue (PVA or glue stick)
• Flexible paper such as tissue paper, kitchen roll or wrapping paper

For the eggs:

• Paper or card
• Magazines
• Wool or string
• Scissors
• Pencil

Got everything? Let's get started!

Instructions:

  

1. Roll up a page of newspaper along the short edge and then twist or scrunch the paper so that it stays in place. Repeat this four times to end up with four tubes of newspaper.

 

2. Gather all four sections together and secure with tape about 10-15cm from the bottom. The taped newspaper will be your tree trunk.

3. Spread out the four shorter pieces at one end and secure to a piece of card with tape. These are the tree roots.

4. Roll up some smaller bits of newspaper to make extra branches for your tree and then scrunch and stick them onto the trunk with tape.

 

5. Use PVA or a glue stick to decorate the tree with tissue paper or wrapping paper. Move the tree to one side and leave it to dry while you make the Easter eggs.

  

6. Draw two matching egg shapes and cut them out. Cut a slot from the bottom to the middle of one egg. Cut a slot from the top to the middle of the other egg. Slide the two egg shapes together to create one 3D egg. Ask an adult to help you if you get stuck.

 

7. Draw and cut out another egg shape. Draw a spiral on the egg, starting in the middle and drawing all the way to the edge, and carefully cut along the line of the spiral.

8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you have lots of eggs to fill up your tree.

9. Tape a loop of string or wool to the top of each egg and hang from the branches of your tree.

Ta-dah! You're all done. Can you think of any other ways to make the eggs? Create as many Easter egg trees as you like, in different shapes, sizes and colours.

You can even use the trees as scenery for your Easter finger puppet show! Don't forget to tag us in your creations on social media - we'd love to see what you've made!