This apple tree craft and story teaches patience to children. It is part of my character-building series, which is intended to equip you to engage with your kids in impactful ways.
My hope is that you will discover this series, and that it will make a difference in your family. Read more about the character-building series here.
CHARACTER BUILDING SERIES
Welcome to my character-building education series where we work on 52 traits throughout the year. 52 traits? Yes! That is one character-building trait for every single week of the year.
More good news! Each trait comes with over a week’s worth of lessons. You could work on character with your kids every single day of the year if you choose to follow along.
This character-building activity focuses on patience. Here is our initial lesson in patience. If following the series, always do that lesson first. Click here for all of my lessons on patience.
This lesson introduces a simple story about an apple tree, and it has an easy craft to ground the concept.
Apple Tree Craft and Story Teaches Patience to Kids
While this series is written by a Christian mom, there are lessons available no matter what your faith. If you believe it is important to teach your kids patience, you are in the right place.
Subject: Patience
Bible Verse: “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV
Objective: Kids will learn the benefits of practicing patience.
Simple Story that Teaches the Power of Patience
Watch the following story with your kids.
Materials Needed for Apple Tree Craft & Activity
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- Paper Plate
- Paper Towel Roll (empty)
- Green Paint
- Sponge Brush
- Red Stock Paper
- Scissors
- Unripe Apple
- Ripe Apple
Lesson in Patience – An Activity
Ask: What are some of the benefits of being patient?
My hope is that you can find an unripe apple and a nice, ripe, juicy apple. If you can explore your own yard or find a neighbor with an apple tree, that is the best solution. If you don’t have access to an apple tree, you might need to skip this first portion of this exercise.
- Have kids bite into the unripe apple and describe the taste.
- Next, let them sample the ripe, juicy apple and describe the taste.
- Ask them which apple they prefer.
- Let them know that from the time the apple tree blossoms in the spring, it generally takes 100 to 200 days for the fruit to reach full maturity. Even after the apple is picked, a Honeycrisp takes two weeks on the counter to reach its maximum sugar potential. Explain that waiting for the perfectly sweet apple takes a lot of patience.
Lesson in Patience – A Simple Apple TreeCraft
Hands-on, creative activities always help to drive home important lessons, so I created an apple tree craft just for you. This is an easy apple tree craft appropriate for toddlers, preschool kids, and kindergarten children. Of course, kids of all ages would be able to do this craft. Younger kids might just need more assistance.
- Have kids cut “apples” out of red paper. These are essentially little, red circles.
- Have kids paint the paper plate green.
- While the paint is wet, simply place the apples on the green paint. The paint will act like the glue.
- Once dry, cut a slit in the top of an empty paper towel roll.
- If the paper plate is ridged, like ours was, you will need to cut an area out to access the flatter part of the plate.
- Slip the paper towel slit onto the paper place. You can tape it in place on the back if desired.
- Cut the paper towel roll to a desired length.
You can display your paper plate apple tree in your home as a reminder in patience.
Confession: While working on this project, I completely lost my patience with the kids.
Note: This post was originally written in 2012, but it was recently updated for clarity and better formatting.
Want More Activities that Teach Patience?
Science Object Lesson that Teaches Patience
20+ Books that Teach Patience to Kids
Hi there!
I just found your blog and am so keen to spend some time here :).
I smiled a big smile at your confession at the end – that’s me through and through – doing crafts with the kids to have fun and teach and create – and then me losing my patience in the process! :):)
I look forward to reading further.
Georgia
I’m so glad you have stopped by and are enjoying the content of what we have going on here. Thank you for you thoughtful comments.
Hi there
I came across your website looking for activities to teach my children about Prophet Ayub (peace be upon him) who is Prophet Job (peace be upon him) I believe in the Bible (please correct me if I’m wrong). His immense patience is described in the Quran and I wanted to home in on this character trait with the kids. I find teaching them directly from the Holy Book has a huge blessing and they really take to it. I too like the kids to memorise certain verses from the Quran as they go along to build a connection with the Almighty, and to learn their faith directly from the source.
I really like some of your ideas to help teach patience – Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you are visiting my site for character development ideas. We have the same heart for that. I hope you have seen all of the character traits we focus on under my character development tab. It should become a great resource for you. As I know Muslims see Isa as a great prophet, I’m sure there are many scriptures that you will relate to that come from our Holy Book. I welcome you, and I hope that you will continue to comment and update me on the teaching that is happening with your kids.
I am not able to find the story that goes with this lesson.
Oh man. I’m not finding it either. I’m so sorry. I’ll try and update this post with a better lesson. Thanks for the heads up. I started this series so long ago, and it definitely needs some TLC. I’ve been working on updating things.
Hi Jodi!
I love the idea of this craft. I tried to click the link to read the story but it isn’t working. Do you have a a different link that I can use?
Thanks,
Racquel
Oh man. This was so long ago. I am wondering if I should just take this down. I’m looking on YouTube and can’t find it anymore. I’m in the process of updating my character-building series because I feel like it has good bones but needs some enhancement. This might be a post I just have to scrap and replace. Sorry! I hope you see my other lessons on patience to use. Thanks!