by Emma Louise Oldham December 07, 2018

These cute little creations will make wonderful decorations for your Christmas tree. Or why not make them as a present for a friend? They are completely plastic-free and full of character!


What you need:

  • Pine cones
  • One-inch wooden beads for the head (we up-cycled some orange ones from an old necklace)
  • Black and yellow felt (small pieces
  • Paintbrush
  • Black and white craft paint
  • Glue gun and glue
  • Scissors
  • String/twine
  • Newspaper/sheet (to cover your work surface)

    What to do:

    Step 1:Cover your workspace.  Paint the tips of your pine cones white. Leave to dry.


    Step 2: Paint your wooden beads white. Allow them to dry. They will need at least two coats.


    Step 3: Cut out some wings from the black felt. With help from an adult, use your glue gun to glue them to the sides of each pine cone.


    Step 4: Cut out some feet from the yellow felt. Glue these to the base of each pine cone.


    Step 5: Thread a piece of twine through each bead and secure the end with a large knot.


    Step 6: Use your black paint to draw each penguin’s head and eyes. For the eyes,
    it’s easiest to use the end of a very thin paintbrush to dab them on. Wait for
    the paint to dry.


    Step 7: Glue each bead to a pine cone. Cut out a small yellow triangle for each penguin’s beak, and glue it to the centre of a wooden bead. Ta-da! You’ve made your festive penguins!


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