Fine Motor Pinecone Activity with Paint

Last Updated on August 20, 2021 by Sheryl Cooper

Inside: This pinecone activity is super simple to set up, and strengthens toddler fine motor skills by squeezing the paint.

Squirting paint using basters and pipettes is always a good way to strengthen fine motor skills. Our preschoolers loved making colorful waterfalls! But how about younger children? This pinecone fine motor activity for toddlers is the answer, especially in the fall.

When someone donated a huge bag of pinecones, I just knew they’d be perfect for this. You know how I love to work those fine motor skills in all areas of the classroom!

There are so many cute fall crafts out there, and I admit I’ve got a few planned for October, but what I feel is most important is open-ended art. The type of art that the children walk right up to the table and do what they want, with no thought on the finished product. The pure joy of just exploring!

That’s exactly what happened with this fall fine motor activity.

This was the first time our 2 year olds used droppers or pipettes. They smiled huge when they realized if they squeezed and released, paint would burst out. The more they performed the motion, the easier it got. Pure fun!

Fine Motor Pinecone Activity with Paint

What you will need:

pinecones
washable tempera paint
droppers or pipettes
brushes (if some of the children do not yet feel comfortable with the droppers and pipettes)

Setting it up:

Pour the tempera paint into containers and place them on a table, along with the droppers and/or pipettes and/or brushes and the pinecones. Invite your toddlers to paint the pinecones! It really is as simple as that!

What I love about these droppers is that the children really have to focus on squeezing the paint from the tray and releasing it onto the pine cone. It is not easy, takes great concentration, but once they master this? All smiles!