How to Help a Toddler Make a Pine Cone Centerpiece

Christmas crafts are a great way to decorate your home for the holidays and keep your toddler busy at the same time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pinecones
• Evergreen branches
• Animal decorations
• Ornaments
• Baskets
• Spray paint
• Hot glue gun

1. Collect or buy pinecones and evergreen branches (real or artificial). Add a little gold or silver paint, if you like.
2. Get some tiny animal or bird decorations from your local crafts store ' or some tiny holiday ornaments.
3. Find an old basket or tray to use as a base. Spray-paint it gold or silver if you like.
4. Let your toddler decide, with your help, how to arrange the cones, branches or decorations ' get him to put them where he wants them or show you where to put them. Then you can wield the hot glue gun to put the pieces together yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Take photographs of your children's handiwork. This will give you ' and them ' a permanent record of their early artistic efforts.
• Watch out for small objects that could be choking hazards, and always supervise your children's craftwork.
• Never let your children use or touch a hot glue gun. Just use it yourself to help them finish their projects.