Autumn Pine Cone Fine Motor Activity

Combine pine cones and wool to create an Autumn fine motor activity. This activity encourages the use of the pincer grip as well as larger motor movements.

Use pine cones and Autumnal wool to create a fine motor activity

Autumn is well and truly in the air and an abundance of autumnal treasures can be found just on the doorstep. We recently found a huge stash of pinecones on a walk in the forest so, of course, we came home with an armful to use for Autumn exploration and discovery.

Pine cones can make wonderful learning resources, they can be painted, used as play dough stampers and added to autumnal or wintery small world scenes…and so much more!

Fine motor tray with pine cones and yarn

This time we added some wool for yarn wrapping, a fantastic way to develop those fine motor muscles. I already had this wool in my crochet bag and it just so happens that the colours are wonderfully Autumnal with greens, browns, oranges and yellows.

Using a tray is a brilliant and accessible way to set up an invitation to play. Add on your foraged pine cones and some lengths of the wool (about 10cm each).

Wrapping yarn around pine cones for some fine motor fun!

Smaller children may need support and plenty of modelling of how to actually wrap the wool, whilst preschool children should get the hang of it in no time.

Yarn wrapped pine cones

Once finished, the pine cones look beautiful and are perfect to leave with a selection of woodland animals and wooden trees for some independent small world fall play.

Autumnal yarn-wrapped pine cones. Fantastic for fine motor development

In a classroom setting they would look just wonderful hung from the ceiling or at the window as a fantastic Reggio-inspired display.

beautiful yarn wrapped pine cone

i am learning to…

  • talk about some of the things I have observed; such as plants, animals, natural and found objects ::Understanding the World
  • concentrate on the task in hand :: Communication and Language
  • handle objects with increasing control and precision :: Physical

Have a look at my Fall/Autumn Activities or Loose Parts Pinterest boards for ideas similar to this one…
Follow Beth @ Wings and Roots’s board Loose Parts on Pinterest.
Follow Beth @ Wings and Roots’s board Autumn Activities on Pinterest.

 

If you do try this activity out come and post a picture on the Wings and Roots Facebook page…we love to see your creations!


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