Happy half term! I thought I’d bring you a little photo post today about a classic German autumn pastime: making conker models. If you like getting crafty yourself, or if you need to entertain the kids, this is a fast, relatively un-messy, and intensely satisfying activity. Be sure to help the kids with making the holes, and if you want your models to last while the conkers begin to dry out, you might want to apply a little glue to the sticks.
You need: a pile of conkers; a pair of scissors or a little screwdriver for making holes; toothpicks or matchsticks for making limbs
Carefully pierce the conker with your scissors or screwdriver. You might want to swivel your implement around for a nice round hole. Be sure to supervise or help young kids because those conkers are slippery, and you don’t want any holes in fingers or tables! 🙂
Here’s a body with four legs…
…now add feet…
…a neck, and a head…
…a nose and ears. You can paint on eyes and a mouth if you like… Nice doggie!
If your model doesn’t balance properly, just wiggle the sticks until you get everything even. Easy!
Model gallery: a dog, a snake, a giraffe and a hedgehog. Child’s play!
If you happen to really enjoy yourself, there’s no limit to your imagination here! You can also incorporate acorns and their little acorn hats, leaves, or any other autumnal delight that captures your interest. Happy modelling!
Nicky Wells: Love & Thrills 
All very well for the crafty folks – but for those who are handicraftally challenged, even this is a step too far…. Fond memories of holes being drilled into my fingers.
Awww Marina, surely not? You poor thing. You can always hold the conkers with a pair of pliers while you make the holes! 🙂 Thanks for commenting and saying hi, is it the school hols for you too?
Oh, this brings back some memories! I used to love conkers when I was little!
Hiya Jaimie! Go on, treat yourself ~ collect a few and make a model. Useful for warding off spiders!
Amazing Nicky. I remember conkers only as things hung on string which were used in conker challenges at this time of year when the new autumn term started. In some schools this is now seen as dangerous however, such a shame, I can’t remember anyone getting hurt when I was young. It was then more a game for boys but we girls used to hang around and watch. Great fun when you’re young!
Hiya, Jo, so sorry for the late reply! I posted this and then the half term swept me away. LOL! I have never played a game of conkers as such, but then I would have been too busy making models. Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for commenting. XXX
Hi Nicky
BOY, did I get a surprise when I read your post today.
“CONKERS” What in the world are they?
Have I lived in a cave all my life? Did I live under a rock? I can honestly say I never heard of them. And even when I saw what you’d been talking, I can’t remember ever having fun with them as a child. Perhaps it had been due to the fact I’ve lived in a BIG CITY all my life. Perhaps it has to do with my living on this side of “The Pond.” I had no idea and I wouldn’t let all this stop me.
I know. Or at least I think I do. You’re probably thinking right now [or before] that I, Robin Leigh, wouldn’t be commenting today as there is no song I could possibly come up with for this topic.
Well !!! I loved the challenge you placed in front of me. And you know I wouldn’t be here, boasting and walking around here like an overly proud peacock, if I hadn’t come up with an appropriate musical response.
Well here it is !
Sorry for having sounded so arrogant here, but I did do something which might have seemed quite “impossible” at first.
You owe me one for this Nicky. 😀 😀 😀
I’ll think of what it will be at a later date. In the meanwhile I hope you and everyone will enjoy listening to my selection for today. 🙂 🙂 🙂
You must have thought I was bonkers, posting about conkers. LOL! I knew you’d relish the challenge and I can’t believe you found a conkers song. That’s mad! Love it, though, thank you. Thanks also for your patience in waiting for my response. Truth be told, the day completely got away from me after I published this post, and suddenly half term was in full swing. Still, good things and all that… rock on, Robin! X
What’s not to BELIEVE. I did find a conkers tune. If I’m not mistaken, the children singing this song are in the UK. And right now I’m resisting the urge right now to post a song related to what you said in your response to me. So I’m about to hit the post button to help in my resistance. 🙂 🙂 🙂
This looks like such fun, Nicky! Thanks for sharing a craft idea. 🙂
Hi Brandee, I’m so glad you enjoyed this feature. I do a lot of craft, actually! For a little while, in my late teens, the desire to be an author was replaced by the desire to become an artist (as in, a drawing, painting kind of artist) and I’m quite handy with a pencil or a paintbrush. I’m trying to pass some of that on to the kids… LOL! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. XX