10 creative ways to use pine cones for crafts and home decor

Pine cones: nature's versatile little gems. They're a favorite among craft enthusiasts, and for good reason. With their natural beauty and adaptability, pine cones can transform into everything from simple ornaments to elaborate wreaths. Here are 10 creative ways to use pine cones for crafts and home decor.

Gather your materials

• Pine cones

• Craft paint and brushes

• Glue gun

• Twine or ribbon

• Other decorative items like glitter, beads, or googly eyes

Get prepped: how to clean and dry pine cones

Before you dive in with an armful of pine cones from your yard, you’ll want to do some prep work. 

• Collect and clean the pine cones: Once you’ve gathered your pine cones, soak them in a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for about 30 minutes to eliminate any dirt or bugs.

• Dry the pine cones: After cleaning, let your pine cones dry completely. Depending on their size and the weather, this could take a few hours or even days. Once they’re dry, you’re ready to get crafty! 

Pine cones as ornaments

Pine cones have this natural charm that makes them perfect for ornaments. You can transform them into unique, eye-catching pieces that add a rustic touch to your Christmas tree, mantel, or other holiday decorations.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Materials: You'll need pine cones, craft paint, brushes, glitter, glue, and ribbon or twine for hanging.

2. Paint Your Pine Cones: Paint your pine cones in a color of your choice. You can opt for traditional Christmas colors like red, green, and gold or something more unconventional like pastel hues.

3. Add Some Sparkle: Once the paint has dried, it's time to add some sparkle. Apply some glue on the edges of the pine cone scales and sprinkle glitter. You can also use beads or rhinestones.

4. Attach a Hanger: Finally, attach a ribbon or twine to the top of your pinecone ornament and hang it on your tree.

Pine cone wreaths

Wreaths are a welcoming sight during any season or occasion, and pine cone wreaths are especially festive. They’re beautiful and easy to make.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Materials: You'll need a wreath form, pine cones, a hot glue gun, and decorations such as bows or artificial berries.

2. Start by arranging the pine cones on the wreath form. Experiment with different layouts until you find one you like.

3. Once you're happy with your arrangement, start gluing the pine cones onto the wreath form.

4. Finally, add your chosen decorations to give your wreath a festive touch. Bows work well here, as do holiday-themed arrangements. You can even use Christmas tree ornaments for a whimsical touch. 

Pine cone centerpieces

Use pine cones to create stunning centerpieces for parties, weddings, or even everyday home decorations. They're versatile and can be customized to suit any theme or color scheme.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Materials: You'll need pine cones, a tray or bowl, candles, and other decorative items like artificial flowers or berries.

2. Start by arranging the pine cones on the tray or bowl. You can mix in different sizes and types of pine cones for a more interesting look.

3. Place candles among the pine cones. Remember to ensure that the candles are stable and won't tip more than.

4. Lastly, add your chosen decorations. This could be anything from artificial flowers to festive ornaments.

5. Triple check to make sure no decorations are close enough to the candles to catch fire. 

We hope you're inspired to try these pine cone craft ideas with your family.

CTA: Want more fun ideas? See what we're cooking up in the Greenlight Learning Center.