Simply Beautiful

When the snow falls and the kids start complaining of boredom, try whipping out some engaging crafts to fuel their imaginations. Per usual, nature provides the best resources and inspiration for art, while also not breaking the bank when it comes to cost.

For these simple, kid-friendly crafts, look no further than the humble pinecone. Though seemingly small and insignificant, one closer look and you’ll discover a hidden treasure trove of beauty. There are dozens of different varieties, all unique in their shape, size and color.

Go outside, shake off the wintery blues and start collecting!

Credit: Kelli Carter

Pinecone Mandala

In Sanskrit, the word “mandala” translates to “circle” or “sacred center.” These geometric symbols can be found across various ancient religious and spiritual traditions, and in modern times, can be thought of as a beautiful symmetrical design seen adorning furniture, clothing, tattoos and more. You can create your own mandala at home using supplies gathered from the natural environment.

Collect a variety of pinecones, alongside other interesting items, such as twigs, stones, leaves, pine needles, juniper berries, etc. Select a thoughtful spot in your yard where your design isn’t likely to be disturbed and begin laying out the pinecones in a circular shape. The dark color of the cones will look stunning against a white patch of fresh snow and will really make your mandala pop.

Concentrate on creating a unique design within the circle by mixing and matching different textures and colors in various patterns; perhaps an “X” made of small branches is adorned by a swirl of stones, or some pine needles are arranged in quadrants bedecked by bright red winterberries. Feel free to incorporate crystals or other special decorations into the design.

Remember that there is no right or wrong way to create the mandala. Any design will look interesting when given thoughtfulness and care. This craft idea is also 100% biodegradable. While the mandala will eventually disappear with the wind and the weather, it will leave behind a beautiful memory and a lesson in impermanence.

Pinecone Ornaments

All it takes is a little paint, glitter and some string, and presto, you’ve got yourself a beautiful array of all-natural holiday ornaments. Whether dangled from a Christmas tree, set atop the table as a wintery centerpiece or strung as a garland across the window, these charming ornaments bring a touch of nature inside for the whole family to enjoy.

Credit: Kelli Carter

When painting pinecones, try classic holiday color schemes, such as blue and white or red and green or go for a full rainbow effect. Get creative! All natural, biodegradable glitter is a great choice for adding sparkle while not adding to the problem of microplastics in the environment. Such lovely decorations will add charm to any holiday gathering or festivities.

Pinecone Bird Feeder

Another simple eco-friendly craft is the classic pinecone bird feeder. Particularly during the heart of winter, when our feathered friends are likely cold and hungry, do a good deed for the animal world and teach your children the value of caring for others.

First, collect some fresh pinecones with their scales intact. Next, wrap a string around the top of the cone and secure it with a firm knot so the pinecone can dangle down about a foot from a tall surface, such as a tree branch or porch beam.

Use a spoon or knife to scoop generous globs of sunflower seed butter and spread it all over the pinecone so it sticks within the scales. This may get a bit messy, so have some damp towels on hand for sticky fingers and possibly work on a paper plate.

Next, purchase a premixed bag of bird seed or make your own with favorite bird foods like sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn, peanuts, raisins or other dried fruits like cranberries; just try to avoid sorghum as it’s a filler grain with little nutritional value for birds. Lay the feed mix in a flat baking tray and roll your pinecone in it. Little fingers are perfect for squishing the seeds into the soft butter, making this craft a fun sensory activity.

Finally, go outside and find the perfect place to hang your homemade feeder. Choose your spot carefully so children can delight in seeing their feathery friends feasting away outside their window.

With these lovely little nature crafts kids are sure to have a great time creating!

Pinecone Facts for Kids:

The Giant Sequoia tree has massive cones reaching up to 20 inches long!
Pinecones will open and close several times throughout the season for fertilization and seed dispersal.
Pinecones can tell us about how much humidity is in the air, as they usually close when it’s damp but open when it’s dry.
Because of its pinecone-like shape, the pineal gland in the brain is named after the pinecone.
The Ancient Romans associated pinecones with the goddess of love, Venus.
Pinecones are a very important food source for much wildlife, including small mammals, like chipmunks and squirrels, and larger animals like bears and deer. Many humans also find pine nuts delicious to eat!

This article appears in BendNest Winter 2024.