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Pine cone crafts: Christmas figures for kids
Age: 6+ · Time: 45 min · For:
With a few pine cones and scraps of felt, children can make a whole woodland Christmas scene: gnomes with tall hats, little angels, wise owls and snowmen. Each one has its own character, and they look lovely on the windowsill, the mantel or as a table decoration.
It is a perfect craft after a winter walk in the woods.
What children do, where you help
- Children: design the figures, cut felt and paper, glue and paint.
- You: help with the glue gun, if you use one, and with tiny pieces.
Tips
- Glue on a flat base: if a cone wobbles, glue it onto a coin or a circle of thick cardboard.
- Make a family: a big cone for a parent and small ones for the children.
You need
- a few dry, open pine cones
- scraps of felt in red, green, white and brown
- white and colored paper
- white school glue (or a glue gun, for the grown-up only)
- scissors
- a black and a red marker
- white paint and a brush
- yarn, cotton balls, small twigs and string for hanging (optional)
Steps
- Choose pine cones that stand up straight. Let damp cones dry in a warm room until they open.
- Gnome: cut a cone of red felt for the hat, glue it on top of a pine cone and add a beard of white felt or cotton balls, with a little felt nose.
- Angel: glue a wooden bead or a paper circle on top as the head, add paper wings at the back and a halo of gold paper or a pipe cleaner.
- Owl: glue two felt eyes and a small felt beak on the front of the cone, and two felt wings on the sides.
- Snowman: paint the tips of the scales white, glue on a felt scarf, a small felt hat and a tiny orange nose.
- Let everything dry. If you want to hang the figures, tie a piece of string under the top scales.
Questions
Is a glue gun safe for children?
Hot glue can cause burns, so the glue gun stays with a grown-up. White glue works well too; it just needs longer to dry, so hold the pieces for a minute.
Where do I find pine cones?
In parks and woods under pine trees, especially in autumn and winter. Only pick up cones from the ground.
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