Pine cone crafts are perfect for fall! Make pine cone decorations or just have a great time crafting with your kids.
Skills Required: Beginner. These ideas are perfect for children and adults alike; no previous crafting skills needed.
Have you ever tried pine cone crafts with your kids? Or even just yourself (no judgements here!).
I know that it’s easy to walk by pine cones during the fall and think of them as landscape fodder, but they are a surprisingly awesome craft base that you can do a whole bunch of things with.
And the best part is that they are 1) free and 2) seemingly unlimited during the fall!
You and your children will not only have fun crafting, but it’s also a good excuse to get outside and get collecting. Not only are the cones amazing for crafts, but they are great for decorations as well.
They also last a LONG time. I have the same bowl of pine cone decorations on my mantel that I’ve had for 21 years now.
One of my forestry professors gave me two huge pine cones and I use them year round. They aren’t even painted . . . but I just love the natural look they give my decor! They’re so beautiful.
Tips for Crafting with Pine Cones
While you can go into your yard, grab some cones and start crafting – I don’t recommend this. They are dirty and potentially have bugs. It’s really up to you, but I recommend a little preparation. it’s not a big deal.
How to Prepare Pine Cones for Crafts
Whether you’re using pine cones for crafts, for decorations, or for some other use, you’re going to want to prep them.
To start, you’re going to want to remove the sap and bugs. There are two ways that I suggest.
In the Oven
Pre-heat the oven to 200ºF and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the pine cones in the oven for 30 minutes or until all of the sap has melted.
You’ll notice that putting the pine cones in the oven causes them to open up as well as to dry out a little bit, which is great for painting. Not only that, but you’ll be killing any of the little beastie bugs that live within.
Washing with Water and Vinegar
Another option is washing your pine cones. Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of vinegar to warm water, and let the cones soak for about 30 minutes.
Once they are done, set them on the counter on some newspaper or paper towels and let them dry. This can take hours to several days. Some people prefer washing because it removes (rather than melts on) the sap. I’ll leave it up to you!
Secrets to Painting Pine Cones
Spray paint is an easy and quick way to cover pine cones with a smooth, even coat. Choose your preferred color and hold the spray can about 6-8 inches away. Apply light, even coats, turning the pine cone to cover all angles.
Use acrylic paint and a small brush for more detailed work. This allows you to paint specific areas, like the tips or edges of the scales. Brush painting gives you more control, so you can experiment with different colors and patterns.
Now that you’ve got all the info, it’s time for you to check out the projects! Just scroll down to see them.
Pretty Peacock
Photo Credit:
iheartcraftythings.com
This is such a colorful craft! Vary it up with different color feathers and paint.
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Penguin Ornament
Photo Credit:
www.hellowonderful.co
Add some extra cuteness to your Christmas tree this year with these adorable arctic creatures.
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Fancy Fox
Photo Credit:
liagriffith.com
With a downloadable template, these felt foxes are super easy to make. You’ll be cutting felt pieces into shapes and then attaching with a hot glue gun. Super easy!
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Rainbow Fairies
Photo Credit:
twigandtoadstool.blogspot.com
You could move these gals into the fairy garden! Don’t have one? Find out how to make a fairy garden in four easy steps.
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Pinecone Apple
Photo Credit:
nontoygifts.com
Aren’t these cute? They’d make a nice teacher appreciation gift – an apple that will stay looking pretty all year long!
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Colorful Zinnias
Photo Credit:
thedecoratedcookie.com
Learn how to paint easy pine cone zinnias, a colorful home decor craft. They are gorgeous! You could even make a bouquet with several of them.
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Spooky Spider
Photo Credit:
firefliesandmudpies.com
Make a creepy crawly spider for Halloween fun. You could even use them as decorations!
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Skiing Snowman
Photo Credit:
Amanda Formaro
When winter is on its way, it’s time to bust out the skis! That’s exactly what this downhill snowman decided to do. You can easily make him – plus you probably have most of the items to make it around your house already.
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Ombre Pinecones
Photo Credit:
whimzeecal.com
These pine cones are beautiful enough for decoration. Little kids probably won’t have a steady enough hand to make them look like this, but they will still be colorful!
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Pine Cone Christmas Trees
Learn how to make a pine cone tree with pom pom lights for Christmas! This is a perfect craft for kids.
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Pinecone Owl Ornament
Photo Credit:
www.redtedart.com
These cute little owls are a great craft for the fall season! I don’t think craft foam or feathers are in enough kids’ projects, so I love that this idea incorporates both.
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Paper Roll and Pinecone Squirrels
Photo Credit:
www.brainybeginningsnetwork.com
Use toilet paper rolls to make the bodies and various pine cone sizes and shapes to make the tail! I love the movement with these cute little guys.
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Pine Cone Wreath
Photo Credit:
thebestideasforkids.com
This DIY wreath is the perfect holiday craft project you can do with your kids! The painted pine cones are attached to a cardboard ring.
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Fire Starters
Photo Credit:
ottawamommyclub.ca
These colorful pine cones aren’t only pretty decorations, they are also fire starters. Covered in colored wax and essential oils, they burn with whatever scent you’d like.
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Pine Cone Farm Animals
Photo Credit:
mandapandaprojects.com
Old MacDonald had a farm – and you can too, made out of pine cones! You’ll learn how to make animal crafts like a chicken, cow, pig, sheep, and baby chick.
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A Snowy Day
Photo Credit:
allthingsheartandhome.com
Create a fun snow filled scene complete with pine cone skiers and pine cone trees! There’s a lot of glitter in this craft which makes it fun; plus they’re too cute!
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Rhinestone Pinecones
Photo Credit:
rhythmsofplay.com
Give your pine cone a new look! Bedazzle them with gems. Then tell everyone your theme for Christmas is “rhinestone pine cone,” just because it rhymes.
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Reindeer Ornament
Photo Credit:
feelslikehomeblog.com
Whether you hang them on your tree or put them out for decoration, these cute googly-eyed reindeer will make an impression!
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Turkey Craft
Photo Credit:
One Creative Mommy
Here is another version of a pine cone turkey. This one uses beads to create the colorful feathers along with a construction paper face. The pretty tails are perfect for practicing patterns.
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Apple Trees
Photo Credit:
buggyandbuddy.com
Yarn, pom-poms and a spool come together to make these really cute apple trees! It’s an easy craft for fall and also provides lots of fine motor practice for little hands.
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Pine Cone Ornament
Photo Credit:
juliemeasures.com
These snow globe pine cone ornaments will look great on the tree this year! If you’re wondering how to get the cones into the ornies, you’re going to have to check out the blog post.
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Easy Pumpkin
Photo Credit:
firefliesandmudpies.com
Pine cones can be pointed in any direction to make a cute craft! All you need are a few supplies to make this cute pine cone pumpkin. A little paint and wire and the results are a perfect autumn craft idea.
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Pom Poms Pinecone Christmas Ornaments
Photo Credit:
onelittleproject.com
This is one of my favorite pine cone craft ideas because these cute ornaments are so colorful! They are pretty much foolproof to make for kids of all ages, and they look great on the tree.
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Christmas Robin Ornament
Photo Credit:
kidscraftroom.com
This pine cone craft was created to go along with the book Little Robin’s Christmas, about a robin who gives his warm vests away to friends in need. Such a cute craft with a great message to go along with it.
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What do you think about these pine cone craft ideas? Let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these additional craft collections:
Boredom Busters • Clay • Coffee Filters • Earth Day • Flowers • Macaroni • Moon • Mushrooms • Nature • Paper • Paper Bag • Paper Cups • Pipe Cleaners • Popsicle Sticks • Preschool Crafts • Stars • Straws • Twigs