If you're looking for some inexpensive activities your children can do to get into the Christmas Spirit then pine cone crafts just might be the perfect choice. Give your children a large bag and let them go out into the yard or to a local park and collect as many pine cones as they can find.
Once you have a large bag of pine cones sort them into piles according to size. Sort any pine cones that are not fully opened into a separate pile. Don't throw them away you can place them on a cookie sheet in a 200 degree oven for a few minutes and as they dry they will open right out.
Once you have your pine cones sorted into various size groups then you can decide what crafts to make. Here are some crafts using various size pine cones, your children will enjoy making.
Crafts Using Large Long pine cones
If you have several large long pine cones here are some wonderful craft projects that will make use of these larger long cones.
Pine Cone Christmas Tree
Start with an old jar lid from a jar of peanut butter or something about that size. Place modeling clay or floral clay in the inside of the jar lid. Insert the stem of the cone into the clay. If your pine cone does not have a stem, you can glue the bottom of the cone to the clay using a good craft glue.
Depending on the how large the pine cone is it can then be decorated with glitter, tiny beads, or whatever you else you have on hand. A miniature bow or tiny mushroom at the top makes a cute tree topper.
Pine cone door hanger
For this craft you will need three large pine cones, three long pieces of ribbon, two pieces about 6 to 8 inches long and one piece a little longer, a bow, and a pop can tab.
Staple or glue one pine cone to each piece or ribbon. Then glue the three ribbons to the back of a large bow with the longest ribbon in the middle. Glue the bow onto the large end of the pop tab leaving the ring to use to hang the decoration. You can then place this decoration on your front door.
For a little fancier decoration, you can place glue on the tips on the pine cones and sprinkle glitter on the tips. Red, gold, silver, or white glitter looks especially food on these door hangers.
Short Fat Pine Cones
If your child has gathered short fat pine cones, here are some simple and fun crafts they can make with these size pine cones.
Pine Cone Candy Cane Wall Decoration
All you need to make this wall decoration is a metal clothes hanger or some sturdy wire, some glue, and several small fat pine cones that are roughly the same size and a bow.
To start this project you need to twist open the clothes hanger and reshape it into the shape of a candy cane leaving only enough width to fit the cones inside the frame. Once the hanger (or sturdy wire) frame is completed, simply glue each cone inside the frame, making sure they adhere to the frame on both sides of the cone.
Once the glue has completely dried and the cones are staying firmly in place, tie the bow around the neck of the candy cane and hang on the wall.
Pine cone room deodorizers
Pine cones make wonderful room deodorizers. You can either simply place them in an attractive bowl and sit them on a stand, or you can roll them in glue and then in cinnamon, ginger, and other spices to give your room the scent of fresh baked cookies!
Any Size Pine Cone Crafts
These following crafts are easy to make using any size pine cone.
Christmas tree ornaments
Simply roll the pine cone in glue and then in any color of glitter that you choose, tie a ribbon to them and hang on your tree. These little ornaments are simple to make and add a touch of charm to any Christmas tree.
Pine Cone Ornaments for the Birds
Another great craft you're children can make are ornaments to be hung outside for the birds and squirrels. To make these ornaments you simply need some peanut butter, bird seed, and small dried berries.
Roll the pine cone in some peanut butter and then in some bird seed, attach ribbon to it and hang from a tree outside your home.
Birdseed ornaments makes an especially nice looking outdoor tree if you include a garland of popcorn and cranberries for the birds and squirrels to munch on as well. Just remember, that once you start feeding birds during the winter you need to continue as they will often give up their other sources of food and keep returning to the tree.
Pine cone decorations for the holidays are sure to give your children an afternoon of fun and get them in the mood for Christmas.