Pine cones are the “fruit” of the pine tree - there’s a seed at the base of each scale. When the pine cone opens, the seed floats out - off to plant another tree!

For this activity, head outside in your schoolyard, neighborhood, backyard, or local park. You’ll want to go somewhere where there are evergreen trees. Gather some pine cones - or spruce cones - from the ground. (Although fir trees also produce cones, they typically break apart before they fall from the tree.)

Then, use your artistic license! Paint them, glitter them, glue them together to make a sculpture, add googly eyes to create animals, build them into a scene. You could also dip your pine cone into paint and use it to stamp a neat pattern on paper. Do different types of cones make different patterns?

Each week we will share a kid-friendly hike or other outdoor adventure.

This week, head to Groton to explore tide pools and boulders along the shore at Bluff Point State Park. Read more here.

In this time of virtual learning and social distancing, we seek to support teachers and families in getting outside in safe and healthy ways. We hope this series provides content and activities to help your students or your family engage in nature-based learning, whether you are learning in person or virtually.