Fun Pinecone Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Last Updated on September 17, 2025 by Sheryl Cooper

Inside: Add some nature-inspired fun to your home or classroom with these pinecone activities for toddlers and preschoolers. Free printable count and clip cards included!

A great way to incorporate nature into your classroom during the fall is to take your children outside and have them help you collect materials.

We’re fortunate to have a lot of large pine trees near our classroom, so there is an unlimited supply of pinecones! Our toddlers and preschoolers absolutely love collecting them and examining them.

Put your collected nature materials to good use with these fun pinecone activities.

👉 Scroll down to get your FREE pinecone count and clip printable cards!

Table of Contents

Fun Pinecone Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Pinecone Art

Fall Leaf Painting – Add pinecones to a jar with paint and this leaf printable for toddlers to shake up.
Fine Motor Pinecone Art – Toddlers will use pipettes and various colors of thin paint to decorate the pinecones while strengthening their hand muscles.
Fall Process Art – Add some pinecones, paint, and paper to a cardboard box to roll around and print on the paper. (No Time For Flashcards)
Pinecone Apples – Little painters will love creating this fall craft. (Non-Toy Gifts)
Pinecone Pumpkins – These little “pumpkins” will be fun decorations for the home or classroom. (Glued to My Crafts)
Pinecone Owls – Stuff cotton ball fluff into the crevices of the pinecones and glue on some eyes and a beak to create these fun little owls. (Red Ted Art)
Pinecone Turkeys – Find some pinecones on a nature walk and turn them into turkeys. (A Pumpkin and a Princess)
Pinecone Christmas Trees – Adults will have fun joining the children in making these adorable trees. (Hello, Wonderful)
Pinecone Snowman – Welcome winter with some cute snowmen made from pinecones. (Homeschool Preschool)
Winter Pinecones – Fun to make after reading Penguin and Pinecone.

Pinecone Math

Pine Tree Counting – To work on counting, preschoolers will place the correct number of pinecones on each pine tree picture. (The Pinay Homeschooler)

Pinecone Science

Easy Bird Feeders – Cover pinecones in peanut butter and birdseed to hang outside of your classroom windows. (Mom Wife Busy Life)
Pinecone Experiment – Why do pinecones open and close? (Parenting Chaos)

Pinecone Sensory

Scented Sensory Bin – Work on scooping and pouring skills while enjoying the fall scent. (And Next Comes L)
Sensory Bottle – Fill a sensory bottle with bird seed and pinecones for toddlers to examine up close. (Teach Beside Me)

Pinecone Fine Motor

Nature Paintbrushes – Attach pine leaves (or pinecones) to sticks to use as paintbrushes at the easel. (Teach Preschool)
Fine Motor Weaving – Preschoolers will weave thread or pipecleaners back and forth in the crevices of the pinecones. (Rainy Day Mum)