13 Cute & Quirky Pine Cone Crafts

The kids and I recently went for an evening walk along their favorite route: through a nature preserve. Thankfully, I had correctly planned ahead and brought along a bag. Yes, our kids are gatherers by nature, so wherever we go, they collect.

Kids (and adults!) love collecting and creating with the things they find outdoors, and it’s no surprise. Not only does it give everyone a chance to get out and enjoy all the things Mother Nature has to offer. Simply playing outside and learning about the world around us is a huge benefit, but you can also create some great things!

Be it rocks, leaves, flowers, pine cones or feathers, the possibilities are endless. Since we happen to love pine cones, we looked for Ways to Craft with Pine Cones, and we’re pretty sure you’re going to want to try them too.

(This post was originally published in January 2018. It was updated for accuracy and republished July 2020.)

From quirky creatures to messy artwork to beautiful gifts, we’ve found plenty of ideas to keep you crafting and many reasons to keep you out adventuring!

Quirky Pine Cone Creatures

I can’t decide if it is the feathers or the eyes that I love more, but either way this Pine Cone Owl Craft by Meaningful Mama is super cute and very colorful!

More creature fun is to be had with these Pine Cone Spiders from Fireflies and Mud Pies.

Add little felt faces to make these absolutely adorable Pine Cone Foxes by Lia Griffith.

Check out those googly eyes! Pretty sure we all need Pine Cone Bumblebees in our lives, like these ones from Rainy Day Mum.

Don’t you just adore these little Pine Cone Fairies by Red Ted Art! Notice their little hats… too cute!

Even if you don’t have the pleasure of snow in your part of the world, these Pine Cone Snowmen from Crafts by Amanda are irresistibly sweet. I picture a bit of an Olaf theme where these Snowmen get staged for summer fun as well.

Beautiful Pine Cone Gifts

Very easy, and perhaps perfect for gifting – this Pinecone Wreath by i Heart naptime is a great fine motor skill craft, and can be as simple as you like, or wild with embellishments!

Also on the list of things to make and give are these lovely Pine Cone Magnets by the Painted Hinge. Not only would they be appreciated on every fridge – they’re equally suited to decorate lockers!

These Painted Pine Cone Roses by Rhythms of Play are totally doable. She uses them to make 3D Mothers’ Day Cards, but they would also make stunning wall art!

And really, who wouldn’t love a bouquet of these Pine Cone Flowers by Emma Owl? So easy, yet so, so pretty!

Pine Cone Bird Feeders by Happiness is Homemade are a wonderful way to create with nature and give back to it at the same time. Also, if peanut butter is an issue for you, you could always substitute with something equally thick and sticky.

Hands-on Pine Cone Art

Dunking pine cones in paint just sounds like a ton of fun, and there is great potential for real messy fun with these Painted Pine Cones from Lovely Indeed.

Again with the messy fun, you could do like Parenting Chaos and Paint with the Pinecones ! This one might be better suited to outdoors …

Which one is your favorite pine cone craft?