Start collecting all those pinecones when you’re out on a walk.

After all the wet and windy weather, pinecones are everywhere!  This huge basket of pinecones was from a backyard!  We can use them for counting, sorting, sensory play, building, stacking and more.

 

We can also create with them!

Using glitter, sequins and glue, let your child decorate a pinecone!

 

For a painting activity, you’ll need a cardboard box lid, paper, paint and pinecones.  Place the piece of paper inside the box lid, add some paint and then the pinecones.  Tip the box left, right, forward and backwards to make the pinecones move through the paint.  Watch how the paint mixes and how the pinecones leaves tracks all over the paper.  After you are finished, you’ll have a cool painting and a decorative pinecone!

 

 

 

Another activity to try is weaving pinecones.  You will need some yarn, string, ribbon or even pipecleaners.  Simply let your child weave the yarn in and around the pinecone scales.

 

 

And lastly, I glued some eyes onto the pinecones with a hot glue gun just to start the project.  I simply ask the children….”I wonder what can this become?”  I tried this activity at StrongStart after reading a story about Owls.  Some children made monsters, owls, themselves and other birds.

I supplied an assortment of materials for the children to create with.  Here, there are pompoms, feathers, pipe cleaners, yarn bits and wire.  You can also add moss, twigs and sticks, more eyes, fabric/ribbon and paper for them to create with!