This cute pinecone elf is a fun "nature" craft to tackle with younger children, especially if you all go for a winter's walk first to look for pinecones. We did use a hot glue gun to make ours. If you choose to do the same (which will make the craft a lot quicker and easier), you will need to supervise very carefully so that little fingers don't get burned.
You will need:
- Large wooden bead
- Smaller beads
- Pinecone
- Scrap of felt
- Hanging cord
- Pipecleaners
- Bell (optional)
- Hot glue
- Permanent marker
Instructions:
Glue the large bead onto the wide base of the pinecone.
Twist one pipecleaner around the middle of the cone so the ends stick out and form arms. Thread beads onto the ends of the pipecleaner to make the elf's hands, and twist the pipecleaners to hold them in place.
Twist the second pipecleaner just below the other ones in the same way, pointing the ends down to form the legs. Thread a larger bead or a couple of beads on to each end of the pipecleaner to make the elf's feet and twist the ends to hold the beads in place.
Cut a triangle of felt to make a hat. Cut a piece of hanging cord and fold to make a loop. Glue to the top point of the felt triangle. Fold the felt into a cone and glue along the edge.
Cover the top of the wooden bead with glue and stick the felt hat onto it.
Draw a face on the wooden bead. Actually, you might want to do this before you stick on the hat, just in case you don't like the fact and want to try again!
If you have a bell, thread the hanging loop through the back of the bell so it sits at the top of the hat.
Hang your elf up, ready to be admired!
