Pinecones are a good base material for a variety of crafting ideas.
Pine cones are a cheap, easy-to-find resource with nearly endless crafting possibilities. For pre-kindergarten children, craft materials must be simple to work with, and provide an artistic result with minimal effort and less developed motor skills Pinecone crafts are ideal because they can be adapted to many situations year-round, like holidays, learning about animals and for decorative pieces for parents or teacher gifts.
Considerations
Before working with a pinecone for crafting, it must be cleaned and dried. Pinecones can be soaked in dish soap to remove the sap. Let them soak for about 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Allow the pinecones to dry fully. Another option is to dry the pinecone sap in the oven. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and arrange the pinecones on it. Bake at 200 degrees for 20 minutes. This process glazes the sap so it will no longer be sticky and they will be easy to work with.
Holiday Ideas
Holidays are an excellent time for trying new crafts with your class. For Easter or Christmas, build a pinecone tree with small eggs or ornaments. Start by spray painting a large pinecone. Once it is dry, attach your eggs or baubles with hot glue or rubber cement. For spring or Thanksgiving, create chicks or turkeys by painting a pinecone yellow or brown. Glue real feathers, or feathers made of construction paper to one end for tail feathers, and smaller ones to the body for wings. Finish with googly eyes, a yellow construction paper beak (and a wattle if it's a turkey) and tiny legs.
Educational Ideas
Pinecones offer an educational option for crafting because they come from nature. Begin by looking for pinecones on a nature walk with the class. Birdfeeders are a good craft idea because pre-k children can return them to nature. Start by punching a hole in the top and threading the pinecone to be hung. When the pinecone has been dried out, each child paints or spreads the pinecone with peanut butter. When the pinecone is completely covered with the peanut butter, roll each one in birdseed.
Decorative Ideas
The simple shape of pinecones make them suitable for countless crafts. Use the seasons as a guide for craft ideas and adapt your class projects around them. For instance, spray paint your pinecones white and build snowmen by hot gluing twigs for arms, and having the children decorate them with eyes, a mouth and hat. Make scented gifts for parents during the winter holidays by dipping the pinecone in paraffin mixed with melted crayon and adding a scented oil like pine or cinnamon. As always, supervise children when using hot materials or processes.
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