How to Make Snow Covered Pine Cones – An Ultimate Guide

Snow-covered pine cones are the perfect addition to holiday decor. Learn how to make your own snowy pine cones with these 5 popular techniques and 13 easy tutorials.

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Frosty, snow-covered pine cones are a beautiful part of nature’s winter landscape. I love waking up to glittery ice coating the needles and pine cones on our evergreen trees.

This year, I wanted to bring that look indoors by adding a faux snowy finish to real pine cones. I began researching instructions for creating snow-covered pine cones and found so many gorgeous options!

I’ve collected my research in one place so you can:

• Learn about the materials used for making snow-covered pine cones.
  
• Pick your favorite technique to get the perfect look for your craft.
  
• Find easy tutorials using the images below to create your favorite style.

Tip: Learn how to prepare pine cones to eliminate creepy-crawlies, dirt, and mold before making crafts or decorating with them.

Materials for Snow-Covered Pine Cones

For indoor crafts, the frosted pine cone look is most often created using one of these five basic supplies:

• Spray Snow: For a textured, realistic “fresh fallen” look.
  
• Epsom Salts: Perfect for an icy, crystalline appearance.
  
• Paint: Use spray paint, latex, or craft paint for a “snow-kissed” or dipped effect.
  
• Faux Bagged Snow: Best for a fluffy, heavy-drift look.
  
• Glitter: Adds a magical, shimmering “sunlight on ice” finish.

5 Easy Techniques for Snowy DIY Pine Cones

Each of these techniques creates a unique look.  Check out the images below to find one that matches your decorating style and the craft supplies you have available.

Technique 1: Using Spray Snow

• A Light Frost: A touch of spray snow makes pine cones look like they have just come in from the frosty outdoors. (Tutorial: Press Print Party)

• The Blizzard Look: A heavy coat of spray snow makes the pine cones look like they have been caught in a snowstorm. (Image: Daisy Mae Belle)

Technique 2: Using Epsom Salt

• Permanent Frost: Mod Podge can also be used to secure Epsom salt firmly in place. (Tutorial: Made in a Day)

• Icy Finish: A generous sprinkle of Epsom salts over white school glue gives them an icy, frosted appearance. (Image: My Clever Nest)

Technique 3: Using Paint

• Snow-Kissed Petals: Dip the edges of the pine cone petals into white craft paint for a delicate look. (Tutorial: HGTV)

• Whitewashed: A light coat of white spray paint gives a frosty color that still lets the warm wood tones show through. (Tutorial: A Pretty Fix)

• Modern Dipped: Dipping the entire pine cone into white latex paint creates a clean, bright look great for modern decor. (Tutorial: Lolly Jane)

Technique 4: Using Bagged Snow

• Fluffy Drifts: A bit of bagged snow stuck on with glue makes them look like they are dusted with fluffy snowflakes. (Tutorial: Ella Claire Inspired)

Technique 5: Using Glitter

• Sparkling Snow: A sprinkle of craft glitter, applied with paint, gives pine cones the shiny look of snow in the sunshine. (Tutorial: Kids Craft Room)

Notable “Bonus” Ingredient

• Liquid Paper: I love finding unusual uses for materials! This unique idea uses white-out to create snow-covered pine cones with a sharp, matte finish. (Tutorial: Be A Fun Mum)

Creative Layering Combinations

Now that you’ve seen the 5 basic methods for creating snow-covered pine cones, you can get creative and combine materials for a custom look!

• Spray Paint + Spray Snow: A coat of spray paint followed by spray snow makes pine cones look like they've survived a blizzard. (Tutorial: Kids Craft Room)

• Paint + Mod Podge + Epsom Salt: Paint pinecone tips, allow to dry, then apply Mod Podge and Epsom salt to create realistic snow-tipped pine cones. (Image: Posed Perfection)

• Spray Snow + Adhesive + Crystal Vase Filler: Pile on the snow and crystals to create stunning “icicle” pine cones. (Tutorial: Clean and Scentsible)

More DIY Pine Cone Crafts

Use your finished snowy pine cones to make these beautiful winter projects:

• Easy Pine Cone Garland
• Snowy Snowflake Wreath
• Easy Pine Cone Holiday Decorations

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