It’s Pine Cone Season!

By Clare Thompson

Early May in the Northern hemisphere is the perfect time to go out and forage for loose parts to use in play as there is an abundance of wild Spring flowers and tree blossom. But as they are often associated with Autumn and Winter, some people may not realise that late Spring is actually the best time to hunt for pine cones! Search for your treasure under pine trees in woodlands, parks or countryside…

Pine cones are a wonderfully versatile loose part that can be used to enhance play in so many ways from texture kitchen play, to transient artwork, construction, maths, role play and much more… Their varied sizes and interesting surface texture means they can be used for printing in clay or with paint. They are great for transporting with buckets, baskets or wheelbarrows, floating in water, rolling down hills or for use with a bucket balance to compare their different weights. Their textured spines make a perfect surface for weaving wool or grass around them and the spaces in between the spines can hold and balance other loose parts such as flowers. Clay or mud can be placed in the spaces to act as “cement” for joining and balancing.

Pine cones will last for years indoors and can be used in indoor and outdoor play all year round, so if you want to make the most of this wonderful natural resource, now is the time to get searching your local area…

If you would like some more play inspiration, we have a range of natural play themed ideas books and picturebooks available here in our shop!