[Childcare] Simple craft ideas using pine cones
Pine cones that fall in places with trees, like forests and parks, appear in autumn.
They’re shaped like tiny trees and are very cute!
These pine cones are the fruit of pine trees, and they often fall naturally as they grow larger.
Some teachers may wonder if they can use the pine cones children pick up during nursery or kindergarten walks for crafts.
For those teachers, this article introduces craft ideas using pine cones.
They’re all easy enough for children to make, so give them a try and enjoy the autumn season!
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[Childcare] Simple craft ideas using pine cones (1–10)
owl
With just pinecones and felt parts glued on, you can create owls full of personality—grumpy owls, owls with goofy expressions, and more! All you need are pinecones, felt, and glue.
It’s a good idea to first imagine the kind of owl you want to make and prepare the parts accordingly.
Depending on where you stick the pieces and which expressions you choose, the result will look completely different, so let the kids handle selecting and attaching the parts.
If you color the pinecones themselves, you can make all sorts of birds, not just owls!
lease
A lovely wreath with a charming balance of pinecones and greenery.
Bend a hanger into a wreath shape to make the base.
If you use acrylic paint and a sponge to whiten the pinecones, you can add the feel of a light snowfall.
Secure them to the base by wrapping green plants like ivy around the hanger.
If you’re making them with a preschool group, colorful pinecones for a lively, cheerful wreath are recommended! Let the children paint the pinecones freely.
doll
Pinecones can be used to make all sorts of things, so they’re one of the most appealing kinds of nuts and seeds.
In this video, they introduce a doll made from a pinecone.
It’s so cute that you can even make a doll playing the violin.
With a bit of creativity, you could probably make figures playing other instruments, too.
The head is an acorn, the arms and legs are twigs, and the violin is made from a leaf.
It’s nice that everything is made from natural materials.
All the body parts are attached with a hot glue gun.
If you cover your work surface with parchment paper, it won’t stick.
[Childcare] Simple craft ideas using pine cones (11–20)
Pinecone Tree
Let’s use pine cones you picked up on an autumn walk to make mini trees.
Paint the pine cones with water-based touch-up paint to give them a snowy look.
Insert short sprigs of fir between the scales and secure them with a hot glue gun to create the base of your mini tree.
To enhance the Christmas sparkle, add decorations like ribbons and star ornaments.
By changing the types of materials you insert and the decorations you use, you can create many variations of trees—give it a try!
Kendama
Let’s take advantage of a pine cone’s hardness and turn it into a kendama! Tie a piece of twine to the pine cone, and make a knot on the other end as well.
Stick that knot to the inside bottom of a paper cup with cellophane tape, and just like that, your kendama is ready.
Feel free to decorate the outside of the paper cup with markers, origami paper, stickers, and more.
Even small children who can’t hold a real, heavy kendama can enjoy this without any strain.
If you have extra pine cones you picked up, give it a try!
necklace
Did you know you can make a necklace with pine cones? It becomes an adorable accessory when a child wears it, so please give it a try.
After tying a pine cone with thread, you string beads—made from cut-up straws—onto the thread.
Threading the beads is good fine motor practice, making it perfect for young children.
Using pine cones you’ve collected yourself will make it more memorable and likely result in an even better creation, so start by going out to look for pine cones.
cake
Speaking of cakes, one of their hallmarks is the dazzling designs that make you feel happy just by looking at them.
Let’s try making something that evokes such cakes, using beautiful natural materials like pinecones and other nuts you often see in autumn.
It’s simple: use paper clay as a base, then freely arrange and glue the nuts onto it.
Precisely because it’s simple, you can add all kinds of creative touches.
For example, decorate the base in cake-like colors, or paint the nuts in bright, fruit-like hues.
Since it’s not edible, it’s important to focus on achieving a beautiful appearance.
