MATERIALS

STYROFOAM BALL, 3 OR 4 INCHES DIAMETER

NUMEROUS SMALL PINE CONES OF DIFFERENT VARIETIS OR THEY CAN EITHER BE FOUND NATURE OR PURCHASED A CRAFT STORE.

GLUE GUNS

PRUNING SHEARS OR OTHER SHARP SCISSORS TO CUT THE PINE CONES

INSTRUCTIONS:

To speed the process YOU can to cut the pine cones into different lengths from in half to about 1/4 in length. A glue gun will be needed throughout the project, so one per child would work best. Children look over the selection of pine cones and decide on a pattern they would like to use, gathering enough of that type of pine cone to complete the design.

A string to hang the ball can be made of cord, ribbon or twine. The children should make a loop of the cord and securely glue the knotted end to the top of the ball.

It might be easiest if they start with one complete circle around the center of the Styrofoam ball.

You will need to cut the pine cones as they go along to the appropriate length. The pine cones will get shorter as you work toward the top and bottom ends of the ball. As you work around the ball they should stop when they need to add about two or three more cones to close the circle. They may have to trim the edges of the pine cones to get them to fit. Then they should work one row above and one below the first row that is already in place. They continue until the entire cone is covered. You might want to add craft berries, moss, flowers or other items to the ball. good luck!!!