Pine Cone Crafts and Activities for Preschoolers

We've collected a bunch of pine cones recently as we've been outside enjoying the amazing fall weather.  I knew they would come in handy for preschool crafts, but I had no idea just how many adorable pine cone crafts and activities were out there!  I've compiled a list of ten of our favorites and what is now my pine-cone-craft-to-do-list to keep us busy throughout the upcoming holidays!

1.  Pine Cone Birdfeeder

http://www.nickjr.com/crafts/pinecone-birdfeeder.jhtml

It's a classic!  This simple, fun, and very useful craft is perfect for the little ones to make and then watch as the birds enjoy it too!

2.  Pine Cone Owl

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/pineconecrafts/ss/Pine-Cone-Owl-Craft.htm

Really, who can pass up an owl craft?  This little guy is just too adorable!  All you need is a little pine cone, felt, and some googly eyes.  And I love how he's sitting on a little branch too!

3.  Pine Cone Monsters

http://craftandcreativity.com/blog/2012/05/10/pineconemonster/

The page is in Swedish  but I think the pictures are pretty self explanatory.  I love how they've even decorated the googly eyes!  These would make a fun Halloween party favor!  

4.  Pine Cone Reindeer

http://www.allfreechristmascrafts.com/Reindeer-Christmas-Crafts/Pine-Cone-Reindeer#

Every year we make a craft with the kids for them to give out as gifts at Christmas.  We've done ornaments and clothespin reindeer, but this little pine cone reindeer might be this year's craft.  

5.  Pine Cone Pumpkins

http://funfamilycrafts.com/pine-cone-pumpkins/

I thought these were carrots at first, but of course pumpkins make more sense this time of year!  Either way, they are just plain cute!  Make a bunch and put them in a bowl for a beautiful fall centerpiece.

6.  Pine Cone Toss Game

http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2012/09/fall-pine-cone-toss-simple-counting-game.html

Play with your pine cones first, and then make a craft when you're done!  This would definitely be a fun game for all ages.  Play outdoors if the weather is nice or inside if it's not.

7.  Pine Cone Trees

http://www.giverslog.com/wrapthegift/?p=20

Here's a tutorial for another version of the pine cone tree, http://thewoolacorn.blogspot.com/2010/10/tutorial-for-my-pinecone-christmas.html.  I like how they have a tree trunk made out of a thread spool.  The possibilities are endless on this one!

8.  Pine Cone Turkey

http://www.projectsforpreschoolers.com/make-a-pine-cone-turkey/

I could probably do a whole post just about pine cone turkey tutorials.  There are so many versions out there.  This is one of my favorites, using only a pine cone, construction paper, glue and googly eyes (which we always have around here!).

9.  Pine Cone Weather Station

http://www.science-sparks.com/2012/08/13/pine-cone-weather-station/#

Did you know you could predict the weather with pine cones?  Here's a great science experiment  where  little ones can observe the pine cones to predict what the weather will be like!  

10.  Pine Cone Cardinal

http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2011/07/smart-summer-challenge-week-4-forest.html

We live in Indiana where cardinals are the state bird, so when I saw this little guy I had to add him to our to do list!

Now that I know what to do with our pine cones, it's time to get started!  Only problem though is just to decide which one to make first!

Word Up! It's Dictionary Day!

Today, October 16, is National Dictionary Day.  It's the birthday of Noah Webster (And coincidentally several other people I know!  It is a very popular day to be born).  Dictionary Day is a day to celebrate language, learn new words, or teach others a new word or two.

from http://www.squidoo.com/dictionary-day

Here's an excellent post on Squidoo that has compiled a mass of information about Dictionary Day, the history of the dictionary, as well as activities for all ages to celebrate this special day.  I remember playing  the Dictionary Game when I was in school.  I always enjoyed that one.  I also like the idea of the dictionary race, but our little ones are too little for those games.  

When trying to decide what activities I did want to do with the little ones for Dictionary Day, I first realized we don't actually have a dictionary!  In this day and age of technology with computers and smart phones, I realized Google had become my dictionary!  That's something we'll definitely have to rectify, so perhaps a good way to celebrate today is to go buy our own dictionary.

from http://www.dallastown.net/Page/3434

Don't want to have a physical dictionary?  No problem.  Check out this post for links to free online dictionary resources  for everyone!

We are making a trip to the local library today to look for different kinds of dictionaries, learn some new words, and enjoy our language!  How do you plan on celebrating Dictionary Day?

Pumpkin Spice Rice Treats

Tis the season of pumpkin flavored everything, and I'm here with one more pumpkin recipe to add to the list!  I've had these pumpkin rice krispy treats pinned on Pinterest for a long time, but they use regular marshmallows and food coloring to make the orange pumpkin color.  I've been wanting to make them, but I also wanted more than the pumpkin color.  I wanted the pumpkin flavor too!

http://www.aldi.us/us/html/offers/2827_18765_ENU_HTML.htm

Insert Pumpkin Marshmallows!!!!  My very wonderful and amazing twin sister found this bag of Baker's Corner Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows and gave them to me for an early Halloween present.  Did I mention how awesome she is?  Now all I needed to do was make the rice krispy treats.

I was a little disappointed to see that the original Rice Krispies Treats recipe was no longer on the back of the box of cereal!  But I've made these enough times to know there are only three ingredients in the original recipe:  butter, marshmallows, and Rice Krispies.  And since I like to play with recipes, I'm of course adding a couple ingredients of my own.

First melt the butter.

Next add the marshmallows.

Stir slowly until they've completely dissolved.

Almost there.  Keep stirring.

When it's smooth, turn off the heat.  Add in the vanilla and cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.

Add the Rice Krispies.

Just pour them all in at once.

Gently stir until they are fully coated with the marshmallow mix.

Form into balls, err pumpkins!  I used a sheet of wax paper over a muffin tin so I had a guide for the size of each one.

For the stems, I used a Tootsie Roll cut in half.  Press one into the top of each pumpkin.  They stick pretty easily as long as you work quickly.

I used green "writing icing" to make the little leaf beside each stem.

Here's the link to the inspiration pin:  http://pinterest.com/pin/98305204336956989/.

Pumpkin Spice Rice Treats

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 1 bag of Pumpkin Spice marshmallows
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• 10 Tootsie Rolls, unwrapped and cut in half
• green icing

Directions:

Melt butter in large saucepan.  Add marshmallows and stir until completely smooth.  Remove from heat.  Stir in vanilla extract and cinnamon.  Add cereal and stir until fully coated.  Form into balls and set out on wax paper to cool.  Add a Tootsie Roll piece for the stem.  Use icing to make a leaf.  Makes 20 pumpkins treats.