Maker Monday: Kids can make adorable pine cone owls

This week’s Maker Monday project combines artist with nature to create these cute pine cone owls. Kids can venture out into their own backyard or the nearest park to search for pine cones, then make their owls as realistic or imaginative as they wish.

As with all Maker Monday projects, kids can make this with items you may have around the house or can pick up at a dollar store. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below. A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on this Maker Monday project. And always be careful when using tools of any kind, including scissors.

Maker Monday materials:

• pine cones
• colorful foam sheets (available at dollar stores or the craft aisle at Walmart)
• pipe cleaners
• scissors
• glue or a glue gun
• googly eyes

Maker Monday instructions:

STEP 1: Twist a pipe cleaner around the bottom layer of a pine cone and shape it into the feet for your owl.

STEP 2: Cut two sizes of circles in contrasting colors for the background of each eye. On the larger circles (shown in orange below), make short cuts around the edges going in about 1/3 of the way toward the center.

STEP 3: Cut out a “mask” shape with points for the ears (shown below in pink) and cut out a separate triangle (shown below in orange) for the beak. Also cut out two more pieces of foam that are shaped like small slices of pizza. These will be your owl’s wings.

STEP 4: Glue the eye pieces together with a dot of glue in each layer, from the biggest circle to the smaller circle to the googly eyes. Then glue the completed eyes and the beak to the mask and let dry.

STEP 5: Glue the face to the front of the pine cone and glue the wings onto the sides. Once the glue dries, enjoy the sweet little owl you’ve created!

Want more at-home fun creating cool stuff and making beautiful things? Check out more Maker Monday projects right here. Do you have an idea for a Maker Monday craft project? If so, please share it with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activity ideas to info@kidsburgh.org.