Looking for some fall decor to liven up your space? Make these simple acorn baubles that can be hung in a doorway or window, or over a mantel.
Time 30 minutes
ComplexityBeginner
CostLess than $10
Introduction
Are you looking for an inexpensive and easy-to-make autumn decoration? Take a crack at making these festive acorn baubles.
Nothing’s better than a hike in the woods on a beautiful fall day with my family. On those outings, my kids love gathering acorns, pine cones and dried flower tops as they explore the trail. And of course, these items end up in my pockets or in little piles around the house.
So instead of feeling overwhelmed by these beautiful bits of nature surprising you everywhere you look, use them to decorate for fall!
Acorn baubles are an easy and inexpensive fall decoration that incorporates found nature items, a hot glue gun and a couple of things from the dollar store. So let your kids fill their pockets on your next hike, and make some beautiful fall decor that can be strung up with lights or hung with a branch over your mantel.
Is August too early to decorate for fall?
No. Some say the start of school is the unofficial start of fall, and I couldn’t agree more. But if you want to pull decor from nature, you might have to wait a bit before going out foraging.
Tools Required
- Hot Glue Gun
- Large-eyed embroidery needle
- Scissors
Materials Required
- Acorns / pine cones / dried flower tops / other nature items found on the trail
- Cinnamon sticks or small twigs
- Foam balls of varying sizes
- hot glue
- Twine
Watch How To Make Acorn Baubles
Project step-by-step (5)
Step 1
Gather materials
Grab a basket and go out into the woods or any natural area with oak or pine trees. Gather acorns, pine cones, dried tops from coneflowers and other items from nature that catch your eye.
Step 2
Dry acorns
If squirrels leave behind acorns, it’s probably because there are bugs or larvae inside. So be sure to dry the acorns ahead of time.
Set your oven at 200 degrees, line a cookie tray with aluminum foil and bake for about two hours. Surprisingly, the acorns come out with a pretty shine. You could also purchase some cinnamon sticks to add a scent to the bauble. Cut the sticks so they look like little bits of wood.
Step 3
String the foam ball
Use the large eyed embroidery needle to string the twine, then poke into the foam ball to create a loop. If you don’t have a large enough needle, hot glue also works, but it’s sturdier if you insert string into the bauble.
Step 4
Make the bauble
Use the hot glue to decorate the foam ball with your nature items. Older kids can help with the hot glue, and younger kids can place the item to the foam ball!
Step 5
Hang the bauble for all to see
Once completely covered, decorate your home with the baubles. I love tying the baubles on a string of fairy lights, hanging it in a doorway or dangling it from a found branch above a mantel.
