Decorating with Pinecones

Fall brings us cooler temAperatures and nature provides many things we can harvest. One thing that is plentiful and has so many uses is pine-cones. They come in various shapes and sizes. Skinny, fat, tall, short! Here are just a few ways you can use pine-cones 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 pine-cone
• green paint
• glue (we used a glue gun) 
• small beads
• base (a small pot or condiment container filled will 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 pine-cone you will want to use. 

Supplies

• pine-cones
• 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

• Pine-cone
• 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 pine-cone to show through use less. 

I did this will 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

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

• pine-cones
• 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 pine-cones have a natural coloring on the tip or a bulge that is on the tip.) Depending on the time of year, you an use various colors to spice of a pot of potpourri or a center piece of natural 

Here are just a few ideas of things you can do with pine-cones, 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.