Decorating pinecones and a free fall scavenger hunt printable to keep the kids entertained outside!

While the days are getting shorter and the air is crisping up, fall is the ideal time to spend these last “warm” days outside before winter strikes. Then, we would wish we could just send the kids outside for a bit, giving mom a much needed break!

And what better way to make the best of these lovely fall days by doing some fun activities outside in mother nature with your kids, and it being educational as well!

Some of my favorite fall activities with my little girl Ava, include a scavenger hunt and decorating pinecones we have found along the way. These make for gorgeous, inexpensive decorations around the house or at any holiday table. It’s super quick and easy to do with a toddler!

Easy Fall Decorated Pinecones

For me, pinecones are the essence of fall and winter. They just scream holiday decor and are eco-friendly! I always love decorating with budget-friendly and foraged items. See THIS blog post for some ideas!

Decorating pinecones is perfect for including your toddler and letting them have some fun. These are cinnamon scented and perfect for fall!

You will need:

Pinecones
Foil and a shallow baking pan
Adhesive spray
Some gold or silver spray paint if you wish to add a touch of glam
Ground cinnamon

Steps:

Send the kids to go collect as many pinecones as they can.
Clean them from any debris.
Space the pinecones on a baking tray lined with foil.
Place in a 200 degrees pre-heated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Pinecones have open pores, and by baking them, they will seal and crisp up.
Let them cool.
Optional step: Spray with gold or silver spray paint and let it dry
Spray the pinecones with adhesive spray and immediately roll in or sprinkle with cinnamon.
Place back on tray to completely dry.
Don’t forget to have fun!

Fall Scavenger Hunt Printable

This fall scavenger hunt printable is perfect for downloading, laminating, and reusing repeatedly! Send the kids outside and let them check things off as they find them.

And bonus, it’s not just for fun! Along the way, they will be exploring their senses, discovering textures, experiencing how change happens in nature (and life), and appreciating the value of spending time outside.

After the scavenger hunt, you could make fun projects with the items the kids have collected. I.e., making a beautiful collage on paper with the leaves, tying the feather to a pencil, decorating the pinecones, or painting the rocks to look like pumpkins.

Let your creativity run free, and the fun continue!