Reward yourself for a productive day of e-learning by taking a walk with your family to collect pinecones. Using a little creativity and crafting fun, you can transform these pinecones into lovable forest friends to play with!
Experts suggest that spending time in nature can help restore children’s attention, allowing them to concentrate and perform better the next day. If you’re looking for a way to gear up for the week ahead, think about doing this activity on a Sunday afternoon or sometime early in the week and after school. Besides, hanging out in green spaces is a great way to reduce stress!
Creative living expert Lynn Lilly walks us through the activity in the instructions below. What will you name your creations? What adventures will you have with your new craft?
The Great Gray Wolf Pinecone Critter
Supplies:
- Pinecone
- Liquid Glue
- Scissors
- White Pipe Cleaner
- Pencil
- Small Black Pom Pom
- White Cardstock Paper
- Wolf Template
- Gray and Black Markers
Time to Craft: 10 minutes
Step 1: Trace the wolf template on the white cardstock paper and cut out.
Step 2: Glue a small black pom pom to the wolf’s nose. Draw eyes with the black marker.
Step 3: Color the wolf to your choice of color. We colored a gray wolf.
Step 4: Fold white pipe cleaner in half. Twist. Fold in half again to make a V shape to create the wolf’s legs. Bend the ends to make the wolf paws. Color the ends of the white pipe cleaner with a gray marker.
Step 5: Glue the wolf face to the pinecone.
Step 6: Glue the tail to the pinecone.
Step 7: Glue the legs to the pinecone.
Step 8: Enjoy your wolf critter!
The Darling Deer Pinecone Critter
Supplies:
- Pinecone
- Liquid Glue
- Scissors
- Googly Eyes
- Brown Pipe Cleaner
- Medium White Pom Pom
- White Crayon
- Brown Construction Paper
- Deer Template
- Brown Marker
Time to Craft: 10 minutes
Step 1: Trace the deer template on the brown construction paper and cut out.
Step 2: Draw face on the deer.
Step 3: Stick googly eyes to the deer face.
Step 4: Draw spots on the deer with a white crayon. Draw a black nose.
Step 5: Glue ears onto the deer.
Step 6: Carefully cut the brown pipe cleaner in half and fold in half to make a V shape.
Step 7: Cut the remaining half in half again. Wrap each half of the pipe cleaner around the end of the V shaped pipe cleaner from Step 6. You’ve made an antler.
Step 8: Fold another pipe cleaner in half, twist and fold in half to form a V shape. Bend the ends up to create the paws. Repeat for the second set of legs.
Step 9: Glue the deer’s face, legs, and antler to the pinecone.
Step 10: Cut the white pom pom in half and glue to the end of the pinecone to create a tail.
Step 11: Enjoy your deer critter!
The Prickly Blowfish Pinecone Critter
Supplies:
- Pinecone
- Blue Paint
- Liquid Glue
- Scissors
- Googly Eyes
- Blue Construction Paper
- Fish Template
- Black Marker
Time to Craft: 10 minutes
Step 1: Trace the fish template on the blue construction paper and cut out.
Step 2: Paint the flat end of the pinecone and the outside edges of the pinecone to your choice of color. We colored a blue fish.
Step 3: Glue googly eyes to the fish.
Step 4: Draw stripes with a black marker on the blue construction paper.
Step 5: Glue the fins and tail onto the fish.
Step 6: Enjoy your fish critter! Try creating nature scene with your pinecone critters for endless adventures.
We hope you had a blast making your very own pinecone critters! Visit us again soon for more ideas on how to have fun at home with the family during your eLearning recess break. If you’re curious about visiting Great Wolf Lodge, be sure to read our Paw Pledge. We’re committed to keeping your family safe while you play!
Created by CraftBoxGirls.com / @craftboxgirls
