Make this colorful pinecone maize corn (calico corn) craft for Thanksgiving. This craft is perfect for kids of all ages. (I share a version for younger kids and a version for older kids in the post.) This Thanksgiving craft for children provides fine motor practice and makes a beautiful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast.
I love creating crafts for kids to make using natural materials. As I was going through my fall craft supplies, I thought why not use those leftover pinecones from all our fall crafts for a cute Thanksgiving craft. This calico corn craft is made using a pinecone and some pompoms- super easy! And I love how they can be used as homemade centerpieces for your Thanksgiving meal.
In this craft I share how to make pinecone maize using crepe paper streamers for younger kids and another version using raffia for older kids or adults. Both are super cute and fun to make!
This craft goes great with the children’s book Corn by Gail Gibbons.
See it in action here!
Pinecone Calico Corn Craft for Thanksgiving
Materials for Pinecone Calico Corn Craft
- Pinecones
- Smaller pompoms in various colors
- Scissors
- Liquid glue or hot glue gun
- Raffia, corn husks, or crepe paper streamers
Directions for Pinecone Maize Craft
1. Push pompoms into the various spaces of your pinecone. Most likely you won’t need glue for this, but you can use glue if you feel your pompoms are not secure.
2. Add the top to your calico corn.
- Older kids can use a hot glue gun and raffia or corn husks to make their tops.
- Cut some raffia or corn husks for your tops.
Hot glue the raffia pieces to the top of your pinecone.
Optional: Use a single piece of raffia to tie the bunch together.
Trim off the ends.
Younger kids can use colored crepe paper to make their Indian corn craft tops.
- Cut some strips of crepe paper. Cut them in half if they are too wide.
- Glue them to the top of your pinecone.
- Once dry, you can scrunch them up.
Use your calico corn craft to decorate your Thanksgiving table at home or in the classroom!
Tips and Other Ideas
- Have real calico corn out for the kids to observe and feel. Discuss the colors. Use these as models when creating your own pinecone maize craft.
- You can also print out pictures of all kinds of colorful and gorgeous calico corn you might not have access too.
