I make these sweet pinecone owl ornaments with my students year after year for parent gifts. They are always a hit for so many reasons.
First, they make darling ornaments as a keepsake for parents. Second, my students name them and want to write stories about them. Can I hear an “Amen!”
(There is an owl writing template in my freebie library.)
They are easy to make and only need a few supplies:
- pinecones,
- some twine for the loop on top,
- cotton balls,
- popsicle sticks,
- and felt or construction paper for the wings and beak.
Lastly, you need a bit of construction paper or felt, for the wings, beak, and eyes.
Prior to tucking in the cotton, take a cotton ball and stretch it apart, kind of like a marshmallow, and stretch it out. Then, tear off tiny pieces and lay them over the spaces between the spines on the pinecone.
Next, use the popsicle stick, or pencil to tuck the cotton in between the pinecone spines.
I use a hot glue gun to attach the twine to hang the ornament from the tree. I have the students use liquid glue to attach the eyes, wings, and beak. If you had an adult to help you, you could use a couple of hot glue guns and the project would progress much quicker. It is typically just me and I end up sounding like a broken record, “Be careful, don’t touch the glue gun!”
The finale is to wrap the pinecone owls in a piece of tissue paper, attach a tag and show your students how to curl ribbon.
This last act, the art of curling ribbon, will in itself elevate you to heights of great magic, far above unicorns and possibly Harry Potter!
I hope that you enjoy making these pinecone owl ornaments with your students as much as I do. To plan ahead, pick up bags of pinecones after the holidays at Michaels, Joann stores or Lowes for super inexpensive!
Enjoy!
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