Pine cones bring a natural charm to holiday projects and decor. They’re also easy to dress up with paint or glitter.
For a winter wonderland look, apply a light coating of white paint to pine cone scales and sprinkle with glitter. This simple craft is a fine motor skills powerhouse that helps kids develop precision, pincer grasp, and hand manipulation.
Snowy Tipped Pine Cones
Snowy-tipped pine cones add a beautiful frosty look to Christmas tree decorations and other winter crafts. This easy DIY is the perfect way to ring in the season and can be used for wreaths, ornaments, centerpieces, and more.
These are fun for the kids and simple enough to give as gifts. To create this look, brush off any dirt or debris from the pine cones and let them dry completely.
If you can’t find pine cones in your yard, try going on a nature walk and collecting some from the forest floor. If the pine cones are still damp, you can always put them in the oven for 10 minutes to dry them out.
Once your pine cones are ready, use a small amount of Modge Podge to secure a sprinkle of Epsom salt. The salt will help create a shimmery texture that looks like it’s been dusted with snow.
You can also use other types of crystal glitter to achieve different looks. You can even paint your pine cones a color to match your other winter decor.
Alternatively, you can skip the Modge Podge step and dip your pine cones directly into white spray paint to get a similar effect. The tips of the pine cones will have a nice, light, frosty color, while the center will retain the natural wood tones.
If you want to give your pine cones a more elegant appearance, try painting them with silver or gold craft paint. You can make the pine cones sparkle even more by adding glitter to the paint before it dries.
For an easy-to-make pinecone wreath, glue together a grouping of pine cones and then tie twine around the base for a hanging loop. You can also add some colorful beads or pom poms to the pine cones to dress them up more. This would be a cute project for younger kids as it is relatively mess-free and can be completed quickly.
Pine Cone Trees
Pine cones are the perfect canvas for a nature-inspired Christmas ornament. This DIY pine cone craft is easy for kids to create and looks beautiful hanging on the tree. Gather pine cones of any size, non-toxic paint and a paintbrush for this project.
Start by painting the pine cones in festive colors – traditional reds and greens work best, but you could also try golds or snowy whites for a frosty look.
Once the paint is dry, add small touches of embellishment, such as rhinestones or colorful beads. After the decorations are secure, attach a length of ribbon to the top of the pine cone for hanging.
These adorable pinecone tree ornaments will make any family tree merry and bright. They can also be used as table centerpieces or decorative garlands.
The only thing better than a beautiful pine cone Christmas ornament is that it can help your children learn about trees and their reproductive structures. These pinecone snowmen are a fun winter craft that can be displayed all year round.
To make a pine cone snowman, first paint the tips of the pine cones. Then, dip the pine cones in a bowl of glimmering fake snow or Epsom salts to give them a frosty coating.
To complete the ornament, you can also add a ribbon scarf, cardboard top hat, and pipe cleaner ear muffs.
These cute pinecone reindeer are a great way to spread holiday cheer. They’re simple enough for even toddlers to make. The tutorial at Lia Griffith is easy to follow and features plenty of pictures.
This rustic wreath is a great choice for a DIY pinecone project that will decorate the whole house. It’s easy to make and looks fantastic on any door or mantel. It’s also a lovely addition to any gift.
To make this festive statement piece, cover a large styrofoam ball with a garbage bag and then use a hot glue gun to stick pine cones in a pattern around it. You can also glue on other embellishments, such as mini pom poms and glittery beads, to add extra sparkle to your display.
Pine Cone Snowmen
Pine cone snowmen are a fun and easy craft to make with kids that can add a cozy touch of winter to any home décor. These adorable little guys are perfect for Christmas trees, mantles, windowsills, and more.
To make these cute little snowmen, start with a handful of large or medium-sized pine cones and some non-toxic paint in various colors (or leave them natural if that’s your preference). Gather other embellishments for the eyes and body of the snowman, like googly eyes, mini pom poms, or colorful beads. Then, use some hot glue to stick the pieces together.
Cut two pieces of red felt into half-circles for the hat and fold them to make a hat shape. Hot glue the ends of each piece to one another to secure them and create a brim.
Finally, attach a small pom pom to the top for a nose and glue on a pair of stick arms.
To finish the look, add a string by cutting a piece of string and making a loop with it. Then, using adult assistance, hot glue the loop to the front of the hat for hanging. You could use the string to hang the entire pine cone snowman from your tree for a whimsical decoration.
The best part about this pine cone snowman project is that it’s easy enough to do with toddlers and preschoolers, even those who might not be able to hold a paintbrush yet. So, gather the kids and get crafting!
You’ll be surprised at how much they enjoy this nature-inspired Frosty craft, and you’ll love the result—homemade pine cone Christmas ornaments that will add a cosy feel to your home for the holidays.
Pine Cone Santas
Pine cones are a classic winter decorating element; you can make them into all sorts of holiday ornaments for your home. You can paint the tips of pine cones green for a Christmas tree look or leave them natural with snowy tips for a rustic vibe.
You can also combine colors and embellishments to make a festive pine cone star or wreath. This would be a great project for kids, as you can help them decide how they want their ornaments to look and then work together to create them.
Another fun pinecone decorating idea is to use them as the base for a scented candle holder. You can make these using a large styrofoam ball and gluing pine cones until the entire ball is covered.
Then, add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil, and the holder will be filled with an aromatic fragrance when you light it.
Pine cones can be used to make a whole host of fun Christmas crafts that will become cherished family traditions. These include pine cone angels, Santas, gnomes, and even snowflakes.
You can even turn them into a unique gift by creating a custom tag and wrapping them in twine. This is a perfect craft for kids as it’s simple, inexpensive and can be personalized to each child’s interests and personality.
Pine Cone Gnomes
To make these adorable gnomes, you’ll need a few pine cones, a handful of googly eyes and some brown felt for the wings. Cut the brown felt into two triangles and glue them to the sides of the pine cone, pinching the ends together for a winged shape.
Then, glue on the googly eyes and a white pom-pom for the hat. Finally, cut a piece of string and wrap it around the tip of the hat to create a loop for hanging your gnome.
You can either buy a bag of pine cones at the craft store or pick up some from outside and bake them to open them up before you start crafting. Bake at a low temperature for about 10 minutes or until the pine cones are open and dry.
If you’re going to use pine cones from the outdoors, it’s a good idea to give them a once-over with a bottle of vinegar to kill any insects or bugs that may be living in them.