5 Adorable Pinecone Animal Crafts for Kids (Perfect for Autumn!)

If you’ve ever returned from a walk with pockets full of pinecones (and possibly a few mystery crumbs), you’re in for a treat. Pinecones are nature’s little crafting gifts — perfectly textured, beautifully rustic, and endlessly transformable.

In this post, we’ll make five adorable pinecone animals that are perfect for autumn afternoons: a bat, hedgehog, owl, fox, and bear. Each one uses simple materials, is child-friendly, and guaranteed to fill your home with cuteness (and possibly a light dusting of glitter).

So, grab your glue gun (or PVA if you’re feeling brave with the kids) and let’s get crafting!

🦇 1. Pinecone Bat

You’ll need:

• 1 medium pinecone

• Black card or felt

• Googly eyes

• Glue

How to make it:

1. Cut out two bat wings from the black card. (Let your child trace around their hands for a fun twist — instant batty wings!)

2. Glue the wings to the sides of the pinecone.

3. Stick on two googly eyes near the top and a tiny triangle for the ears.

Mum tip: If your child insists their bat needs “sparkly wings”, embrace it. Gothic glitter is a vibe.

🦔 2. Pinecone Hedgehog

You’ll need:

• 1 small pinecone

• Brown or beige felt

• Small black bead or pom-pom for the nose

How to make it:

1. Cut a teardrop shape from the felt for the hedgehog’s face.

2. Glue it to the open end of the pinecone.

3. Add the nose and two tiny eyes.

Bonus idea: Stick your hedgehog on a cardboard leaf or paper plate decorated with autumn leaves. Hedgehogs love a cosy home, after all.

🦉 3. Pinecone Owl

You’ll need:

• 1 pinecone (short and round works best)

• Felt in brown, yellow, and white

• Googly eyes

How to make it:

1. Cut two felt wings and glue them to the sides of the pinecone.

2. Add two big white circles for eyes, yellow triangles for a beak, and a few “feather” details if you’re feeling fancy.

3. Perch your owl on a twig or mini log for extra woodland charm.

🦊 4. Pinecone Fox

You’ll need:

• 1 pinecone

• Orange and white felt

• Small black pom-pom or bead for the nose

How to make it:

1. Cut a fox face shape from the orange felt and glue it to the top of the pinecone.

2. Add white felt for the cheeks and the tip of the tail.

3. Glue on the nose and two little ears.

   
   

🐻 5. Pinecone Bear

You’ll need:

• 1 chubby pinecone

• Brown felt

• Small black bead for the nose

How to make it:

1. Cut two small round ears and a snout from the felt.

2. Glue them to the top of the pinecone.

3. Add eyes and the nose.

Optional: Sit your bear on a cotton-wool “snow patch” for a winter-ready version — or next to the fox if you’re building a mini woodland scene.

Display Idea

Once you’ve made all five animals, arrange them on a tray with dried leaves, acorns, and little twigs. It makes a lovely autumn nature table or home-ed science corner, and the kids will love telling everyone which one they made!

Final Thoughts

Pinecone crafts are one of those rare parenting wins — nature walk + creative activity + adorable keepsake, all in one go. Plus, they look charming as autumn decor around the house.

So next time you’re out crunching through the leaves, collect a few pinecones and bring home a bit of the forest. Who knows — your craft table might just turn into a whole woodland village.

Until next time,

Itala