Fall brings us cooler
temperatures and nature provides many things we can harvest. One thing that is
plentiful and has so many uses is the pinecone. They come in various shapes and
sizes. Skinny, fat, tall, short! Here are just a few ways you can use
pinecones in fall craft activities and decorations.
Miniature Christmas Trees
These are best made with
rounder, smaller pine-cones. You will need the following:
Supplies
· small pinecone
· green paint
· glue (we used a glue gun)
· small beads
· base (a small pot or condiment container filled
with plaster of paris)
Paint the small pine
cone green, let dry.
Glue the painted
pine-cone to selected base.
Glue on small beads for
ornaments.
Let dry.
Elves
Depending on whether you
want a short or tall elf will depend on the type of pinecone you will want to
use.
Supplies
· pinecones
· small wooden ball (for head)
· glue
· felt or foam pieces
· googly eyes
Create a face with eyes,
ears, nose, and mouth on small wooden ball. Glue on top of pine-cone.
Cut out scarf, mittens
feet,and hat (one hat was made by hand the other we found in a store!) Glue on
felt pieces.
If you would like to be
able to hang it as an ornament, you can tie on a ribbon or fish line before you
start gluing on the pieces.
Owls
During the cold winter
months, birds can seem more active as they are searching out sources of food.
What would look cuter than an owl inviting guests in?
Supplies
· Pinecone
· cotton balls
· felt
· googly eyes
· glue (optional)
Pull cotton balls apart
and stuff into spaces of the pine cones (you can put a small spot of glue on
them to ensure they stay.) If you want a fluffy white owl, use lots of cotton
balls. If you would like more of the pinecone to show through use less.
I did this with 5-7 year
olds and we used googly eyes, yarn for wings, or cut out pieces of paper for
the beak, wings, and ears.
A little color
If you're not into the arts and
crafts type of decorating, how about just adding a little color to a
centerpiece or a bowl of seasonal decor?
Supplies
· pinecones
· fingernail polish
This one is easy and great for using up old
fingernail polish (and even occupying the minds and hands of little
ones.)
You can just paint the
tips (many pinecones have a natural coloring on the tip or a bulge that is on
the tip.) Depending on the time of year, you can use various colors to spice up a pot of potpourri or a center piece of natural items.
Here are just a few
ideas of things you can do with pinecones, I am sure you have a million more!
If nothing else, it is a great way to spend time crafting with family and creating
a little something for others.