Cherry blossom season is breathtaking, but it’s gone in the blink of an eye. In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, these whimsical pink trees only last for 10 days! That inspired us to craft a cherry blossom tree that lasts all year.
With just a few materials and a bit of creativity, you’ll have a miniature bloom-filled tree to brighten your space any season.
Why This Project Works
- Uses affordable and accessible materials
- No kiln or oven required — air dry clay makes it beginner-friendly
- Inspired by Animal Crossing, perfect for fans of the game
- Ideal as a room décor or handmade gift
- Allows full customization with color and blossom arrangement
What You Will Need
- Air dry clay
- Aluminum foil
- Empty toilet paper roll
- 4 styrofoam balls (2.44 inches / 6.2 cm diameter)
- Acrylic paint: pink, white, brown, beige, black
- Hot glue gun & glue sticks
- Tacky glue
- Printer paper
- Sculpting tools, paint brushes
- 6 toothpicks
- Wooden skewers
Step 1: Sculpt the Roots
Start by folding six small triangles from aluminum foil, each about half an inch long. These will form the roots. Hot glue each triangle to the base of the toilet paper roll.
Step 2: Shape the Trunk
Roll out a thick slab of air dry clay and cut it into a large rectangle. Wrap it around the toilet paper roll. Smooth the surface with a wet brush. Then, mold clay around the roots, blending them into the trunk. Let dry for 2 hours.
Step 3: Paint the Trunk
Mix beige, brown, and a hint of black to get a soft tree-bark shade. Use a large flat brush to coat the trunk. With a fine brush, paint three gentle swirls to mimic wood grain. Let dry for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Paint the Canopy Base
Stick the four styrofoam balls onto wooden skewers. Paint them with soft pink acrylic paint and let dry completely.
Step 5: Assemble the Canopy
Hot glue a small foil patch on top of the trunk to prevent the first styrofoam ball from sinking. Attach it securely. Slice off 1/4 of the remaining three balls.
Insert toothpicks into each and connect them around the top ball to form the full canopy. Hot glue into place. Be cautious — too much heat can melt the foam.
Step 6: Cut Out the Blossoms
Print the provided blossom sheet twice. Carefully cut out each tiny flower with scissors. Take your time to ensure clean, accurate edges.
Step 7: Glue on the Blossoms
Using tacky glue, adhere the paper flowers to the styrofoam canopy. Start at the top and work your way down. Slightly curl some petals to mimic the charming 3D style from the game.
Step 8: Final Touches
Step back and admire your tree. It should stand around 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) tall. Add more blossoms or even glitter if you’d like!
Note: Avoid using too much hot glue on the styrofoam to prevent melting. Let everything dry overnight for best results.
Other Details Display
- Root base made of foil
- Trunk covered with air dry clay
- Acrylic-painted bark with hand-drawn swirl details
- Canopy made of painted styrofoam spheres
- Blossom detail: cut and glued paper flowers from a printable sheet
- Tree height: approximately 16.5 cm (6.49 inches)
Summary
This DIY cherry blossom tree made from air dry clay is a charming year-round decor inspired by Animal Crossing.
It captures the fleeting beauty of spring and turns it into a permanent handmade keepsake. A perfect weekend craft for gamers, crafters, or anyone who loves sakura season!
This plan is a contribution by [ProfGenki]. Project Via Instructables – Get the PDF Instructions here. If you have a plan to share, we welcome your submissions!