Christmas Tree Pinecone Craft

Turn simple pinecones into charming Christmas tree decorations with this easy DIY craft! With just paint, pom-poms, and a bit of glue, you can create festive pinecone Christmas trees perfect for holiday decor, gifts, or fun family crafting time. This eco-friendly and budget-friendly craft is ideal for kids and adults alike. Customize with your favorite colors and embellishments!

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Finished Christmas Tree Pinecone Craft with the pinecone painted green, colorful pom-poms on it, resting on a red, glittery background.

I love how this craft transforms an ordinary pinecone into a festive little Christmas tree! It’s a simple yet creative project that adds a personal touch to holiday decor and is perfect for crafting with kids or as a relaxing solo activity.

You’ll love this craft because:

It’s great for young kids. This craft is beginner-friendly and requires only a handful of materials, making it perfect for crafters of all skill levels.
It’s budget-friendly. You can use items you likely already have at home or easily find at your local craft store, keeping costs low. Go outside and look for pinecones that have already fallen off the trees!
It’s quick and easy. This craft can be completed in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules or last-minute decorating.

Here’s what you’ll need:

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Supplies

Supplies Notes

Pinecones: Look for clean, dry pinecones with open scales. You can collect them from outside or purchase them from a craft store. If using outdoor pinecones, bake them at 200°F for 20-30 minutes to remove any bugs or sap.
Green Acrylic Paint: Choose a bright green paint for a festive look. Acrylic paint works best for good coverage and quick drying.
Paintbrush: A medium-sized flat brush is ideal for painting the pinecone. It helps to get paint into all the crevices without being too messy.
Small Pom-Poms: Use colorful pom-poms to mimic ornaments. Opt for various sizes and colors to create a vibrant and festive effect.
School Glue: Perfect for kids, as it is safe and easy to use. If you’re crafting with adults, hot glue can speed up the process for adhering pom-poms securely.
Construction Paper: Yellow construction paper works well for crafting the star on top of the tree. You can also use glitter paper or metallic cardstock for extra sparkle.
Scissors: Use sharp scissors to cut out the star or other embellishments. Safety scissors are recommended for kids.
Optional Glitter: If you’d like to add extra sparkle, use a light layer of glitter glue or sprinkle loose glitter over wet paint or glue.

To make painting pinecones less messy, hold the pinecone by its base or use a clothespin as a handle. This keeps your hands clean and allows you to easily rotate the pinecone while painting.

Step-by-step instructions

This DIY project is very easy to make with a few simple supplies. The steps below with matching photos are meant to help you see the project being made at various stages so that you and your family can make this easy Christmas project perfectly every time.

For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.

Image of a pinecone painted green on a paper plate with the paintbrush and bottle of paint on either side of the green, painted pinecone. — **Paint the pinecones green.**

Close up image of the Christmas Tree pinecone pom-pom ornaments glued onto a painted, green pinecone. — **Add small pom-poms for ornaments.**

Close up image of the top of the Christmas Tree Pinecone Craft with a yellow star made out of construction paper on top. — **Attach yellow construction paper for the star.**

Expert Tips

Use a craft station setup: Cover your workspace with newspaper or a disposable tablecloth to minimize cleanup. Use paper plates or trays to hold supplies like paint, pom-poms, and glue.
Customize with different colors: While green is traditional, try metallic paints like gold, silver, or white for a snowy, winter wonderland theme. Use glitter paint for added sparkle.
Make a sturdy base: If your pinecones are uneven or wobbly, glue them onto small wood slices, bottle caps, or sturdy cardboard squares for extra stability.
Use tweezers or craft sticks: Tweezers or craft sticks make placing small pom-poms and stars easier, especially for younger kids with tiny fingers.
Speed up drying time: Use a hair dryer on the low setting to speed up paint drying and keep kids engaged.

FAQs

Do I need to clean the pinecones before crafting?

Yes, if you’ve collected pinecones from outside. Soak them in a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water for 60 minutes, then bake at 200°F for 1-2 hours to remove bugs, sap, and moisture.

What type of paint works best?

Acrylic paint is best because it dries quickly and provides good coverage. Spray paint can also work for faster application.

How long does it take for the paint to dry?

Acrylic paint dries within 15-30 minutes. Use a hair dryer on a low setting to speed up the process.

Can kids do this craft independently?

Kids can handle most steps, but adults should supervise the use of scissors, hot glue, and possibly paint.

More Christmas DIYs to try

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Three glitter styrofoam christmas trees in red, gold and green on a light blue table.

Pinecone Christmas Tree Craft

Print Pin Rate

Cook Time: 15

Drying Time: 15

Total Time: 30

Servings: Pinecone

Supplies

Instructions

If using outdoor pinecones, soak them in a vinegar-water mixture for 60 minutes and bake on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil at 200°F for 1-2 hours to clean and dry them. The pinecones will start to open up as they dry and will feel dry to the touch once they are done in the oven. Let them cool for 30 minutes. If you’re using store-bought pinecones, you can skip this step.
Use a paintbrush to apply green acrylic paint evenly over the pinecones. Ensure full coverage but keep the paint thin for faster drying. Let dry for about 15 minutes.
Use glue to attach small pom-poms to the tips of the pinecone scales. Mix and match colors to create a festive look.
Cut a star shape from yellow construction paper. Glue it to the top of the pinecone as the tree topper.
Allow the glue and paint to dry completely before displaying or gifting your pinecone Christmas tree.

Notes

If using outdoor pinecones, bake them at 200°F for 20-30 minutes to remove any bugs or sap.