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Posh Your Pinecone for Some Nature-Inspired Holiday Glitz!

boys with glitter pinecones

Versatile and plentiful this time of year (depending on where you live of course), pinecones are the perfect material for kid-friendly holiday craft projects. Whether you gather them on a nature walk or from the wilds of a craft store, poshed-up pinecone décor brings a charming, rustic feel to your tree, mantelpiece, dining room table, or front door. Here are two fun takes on glitzy pinecones you and your little ones can tackle together:

What You Will Need:

  • Pinecones. Before you get crafting, note that a pinecone’s scales will close up when cold and/or wet (like right after you collect them outside or wash them), and open when warm and dry. Learn more about why (and get a bonus science project!) with the Parenting Chaos blog.
  • A colorful selection of paint
  • White glue
  • Epsom salt (or large-granule sugar) (optional)
  • Glitter (optional)
  • Pie tins or shallow bowls big enough to dip a pine cone in
  • Craft brushes
  • Newspaper or butcher paper
  • String or ribbon (optional)

Directions:

1. Cover your work surface with newspaper or butcher paper to catch wayward paint, glue, and salt. Pour some glitter into one of the bowls or tins, Epsom salt into another, and different colors of paint into the rest. You can also put blobs of paint in different hues next to each other on one larger tray.

boys getting ready to paint

2. Begin with the paint! Use a craft brush to paint directly on the pinecone. Depending on the size of your pinecone and your willingness to make a mess, you can also dip or roll a pinecone directly into the paint. (If you opt for dipping, hold the pine cone upside-down to allow excess paint to drip off.) You can now sprinkle glitter onto wet paint for a little glitz. Set it aside to dry.

3. On to the salt! This version makes your pine cones sparkle with “snow.” Encourage your child to cover half of a pinecone with white glue, using a craft brush; then have him place the pinecone in the salt tray and use his fingers to sprinkle salt over all the glue. Set the pinecone aside to dry.

finished glittery posh pinecones

4. Once all your pinecones are dry, use the string or ribbon to turn them into ornaments, pile them into a big bowl for a festive centerpiece, or put one at each place setting to liven up your holiday table.


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