Create Magical Pine Cone Christmas Trees With Kids: A DIY Guide

November 25, 2023
8 mins read
Stephanie Simmons
Author: Steph Simmons

Are you looking for a fun and easy holiday craft to do with your kids? Look no further than pine cone Christmas trees! With just a few supplies and a little creativity, you and your little ones can create beautiful and unique decorations that will add a touch of holiday cheer to your home. In this DIY guide, I’ll show you how to make your own pine cone Christmas trees step-by-step.

First, let’s gather our supplies. You’ll need large pine cones, craft glue, green paint, paintbrushes, colorful mini pom-poms, tiny ornaments, and any other decorative elements you’d like to add, like glitter. Once you have everything you need, it’s time to get started!

close up child's pine cone Christmas tree

Key Takeaways:

  • Pine cone Christmas trees are a fun and easy holiday craft to make with kids.
  • You’ll need pine cones, craft glue, green paint, and other decorative elements like bows and baubles.
  • Follow these steps to make your own pine cone Christmas trees.
  • You can also create miniature pine cone trees or a painted pine cone centerpiece.
  • Display your handmade creations as rustic and festive holiday decor.

Gather Your Supplies

Before we start the project, let’s gather all the materials we need to create these amazing pine cone Christmas trees.

This craft is a perfect way to spend some quality time with your kids and decorate your home with beautiful and unique decorations.

MaterialsDescription
Pine conesGather large pine cones. You can collect them from your backyard or local park or forest, or purchase them at a craft store.
Craft glueYou’ll need craft glue to attach the decorations to the pine cones.
Green paintThe green paint is essential to mimic the look of a Christmas tree. You can use acrylic paint or any other water-based paint.
PaintbrushesYou can use various sizes of paintbrushes to apply the paint and decorate the pine cones.
Colorful pom-pomsPom-poms are a fun and easy way to add some color and texture to your pine cone trees. Alternatively you could use ribbon (bows), baubles, or any other decoration you like.
Small ornamentsSmall ornaments can be used as decorations to make your pine cones look like real Christmas trees.
Additional decorative elementsYou can use any additional decorative elements like twigs or beads to enhance the appearance of your pine cone trees.

Now that we have all of our supplies, it’s time to start preparing the pine cones. Let’s get creative!

Prepare the Pine Cones

Now that you have gathered all the materials needed for this DIY project, it’s time to prepare the pine cones. To create rustic Christmas trees, it’s essential to start with clean and dry pine cones. You can remove any dirt or debris by gently brushing them with a soft brush or rinsing them under warm water.

After cleaning, let the pine cones dry completely before proceeding to the next step. You can enhance the natural beauty of the pine cones by spraying them with a clear coat of paint. This step is optional but recommended if you want to create a stunning homemade Christmas decoration.

Once the pine cones are clean and dry, you’re ready to move on to the next step and paint them green to create the look of a mini Christmas tree. In the next section, I will show you how to paint and decorate your pine cone trees to make them unique and festive.

“Getting the pine cones ready is a crucial step in creating beautiful DIY pine cone Christmas trees. Don’t rush this step and take the extra time to clean and dry them properly for a stunning outcome!”

Paint and Decorate

Now comes the fun part – painting and decorating your pine cones! Use green paint to cover each pine cone, creating a beautiful and unique Christmas tree. You can use a small paintbrush to carefully apply the paint, making sure to cover every crevice and surface. If you want to add some texture, you can also use a sponge to dab the paint onto the pine cones.

Once the paint is dry, it’s time to decorate your pine cone Christmas trees. You can use colorful pom-poms, small ornaments, and other festive decorations to add some extra flair. Get creative and encourage your kids to make each tree unique. You can even create a whole forest of pine cone trees in different sizes and colors!

For a more rustic look, you can use natural materials like twigs, acorns, and dried berries to decorate your pine cone trees. This is a great option if you prefer a more understated holiday decor scheme.

If you want to add some extra sparkle to your pine cone trees, you can brush some glue onto the tips of the pine cone scales and sprinkle some glitter on top. This will give your trees a magical touch that’s perfect for the holiday season.

Creating these pine cone Christmas trees is a fun and easy craft project that’s perfect for kids of all ages. You can use them as tabletop decorations, hang them on your Christmas tree, or even give them as gifts to friends and family. With just a few supplies and some imagination, you can make beautiful and unique Christmas decorations that will bring joy to your home.

Add the Finishing Touches

Now that your pine cone Christmas trees are fully decorated, it’s time to add the finishing touches. To give them a rustic feel, you can tie a small ribbon or twine around the top of each tree to create a “tree topper.” This will also help to secure any ornaments or pom-poms that may have been glued to the top of the cone.

If you want to add a bit of sparkle, you can sprinkle some glitter or artificial snow on the trees. This will give them a magical touch and make them stand out even more in your holiday decor. Just be sure to use a clear craft glue or spray adhesive to secure the glitter in place.

For a more natural look, you can add some pine branches or sprigs of holly to the base of the pine cone trees. This will give them a festive touch and make them blend in seamlessly with the rest of your holiday decorations.

2 girls making Christmas tree pine cones

“Adding the finishing touches is my favorite part of this project. It’s where you can really let your creativity shine and make each tree unique. Whether you want to add a bit of sparkle or keep it simple and rustic, there are so many ways to customize these pine cone Christmas trees to fit your holiday decor.”

Display and Enjoy

Now that your magical pine cone Christmas trees are complete, it’s time to find the perfect place to display them. This is a great holiday DIY project that can add some festive cheer to your home.

You can place your pine cone trees on a mantel, a tabletop, or use them as unique ornaments for your main Christmas tree.

Another fun idea is to create a centerpiece by arranging your pine cone trees in a bowl or basket and adding some holiday greenery or flowers. This is a great way to incorporate natural elements into your holiday décor.

These pine cone Christmas trees also make great homemade gifts for family and friends. Get creative with your decorating and make each one unique.

Enjoy the holidays and have fun with this DIY Christmas décor project. Happy crafting!

close up of hand crafted pine cone Christmas tree

Create Miniature Pine Cone Christmas Trees

If you’re looking for a smaller version of these pine cone trees, creating miniature trees is a great option. This is also an excellent way to involve your kids in the decorating process. Simply gather smaller pine cones and follow the same steps to paint and decorate them.

Miniature pine cone Christmas trees can be used in a variety of ways, such as table centerpieces or hanging as ornaments on your main Christmas tree. You can also use them to decorate your wreaths or gift boxes. The possibilities are endless!

Decorating Pine Cone Christmas Trees

Decorating your miniature pine cone Christmas trees is where the real fun begins. You can use smaller versions of the same decorations used for the larger trees. Some ideas include:

  • Tiny pom-poms
  • Miniature ornaments
  • Small pieces of ribbon
  • Glitter or artificial snow

Encourage your kids to get creative and make each miniature tree unique.

Pine Cone Christmas Tree Ornaments

If you’re looking to create unique Christmas tree ornaments, these miniature pine cone trees are perfect. Simply attach a piece of string or ribbon to the top of the tree and hang it on your main Christmas tree. Your handmade ornaments will add a rustic and festive touch to your holiday decor.

miniature pine cone christmas trees

These miniature trees are also a great way to add a personal touch to your holiday gift wrapping. Attach a small pine cone tree to the top of a gift box or bag for a unique and festive presentation.

Painted Pine Cone Tree Centerpiece

If you’re looking for a unique and natural centerpiece for your Christmas gathering, consider creating a colorful painted pine cone tree centerpiece. This easy and inexpensive project is a great way to bring a touch of the outdoors into your holiday décor.

Gather Your Supplies

To get started, you’ll need pine cones of various sizes, acrylic paint in your desired colors, paintbrushes, and a bowl or basket to display your finished centerpiece.

Prepare the Pine Cones

Before painting, clean the pine cones to remove any dirt or debris, and let them dry completely. Once dry, use a paintbrush to apply acrylic paint to each pine cone. You can choose to paint them in a variety of colors to create a fun and festive look.

Arrange Your Centerpiece

Once your painted pine cones are dry, arrange them in a bowl or basket to create a beautiful and unique centerpiece. You can add other natural elements like holly leaves or berries to enhance the rustic feel of your centerpiece, or simply let the painted pine cones be the star of the show.

Display with Pride

Your painted pine cone tree centerpiece is now complete! Display it proudly on your dining table or coffee table, or use it as a festive holiday decoration throughout your home. This creative and colorful centerpiece is sure to impress your guests and add a touch of nature to your holiday décor.

So go ahead and give this DIY project a try this holiday season. With just a few simple supplies, you can create a beautiful and natural Christmas centerpiece that will be the talk of the town!

child holding their home made pine cone Christmas tree

FAQ

How long does it take for the paint on the pine cones to dry?

The drying time for the paint on the pine cones can vary depending on the type of paint used and the environment. It’s best to let the paint dry overnight to ensure it is completely dry and won’t smudge when you continue decorating.

Can I use artificial pine cones for pine cone Christmas trees?

Yes, you can use artificial pine cones if you prefer. Keep in mind that real pine cones can add a natural and rustic touch to the decorations, but artificial ones can also work well if that’s what you have available.

Are there any safety precautions I should take when doing this project with kids?

When doing this project with kids, it’s important to ensure they are supervised at all times. Make sure they are using child-friendly materials and keep any small decorative items away from young children to avoid choking hazards.

Can I use different colors of paint for the pine cones?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different colors of paint to create unique and vibrant pine cone Christmas trees. You can even use metallic or glitter paint for a more festive look.

Can I use other materials to decorate the pine cone trees?

Yes, the decorative possibilities are endless! Aside from pom-poms and small ornaments, you can also use ribbon, sequins, beads, and even small lights to add a special touch to your pine cone trees. Get creative and have fun!

How long will the pine cone Christmas trees last?

With proper care, your pine cone Christmas trees can last throughout the holiday season and even longer. Keep them away from direct sunlight and humid environments to prevent any damage or deterioration.

Stephanie Simmons is an Anglo-American mum of two who is passionate about all things outdoors. She loves camping, outdoor crafting, and all outdoor activities.

Steph believes in getting the kids outdoors no matter the weather!

She created Wild Bloom Families to share her passion for the outdoors with other families.

Getting in nature can transform your physical health, mental health and happiness! 

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