Kids can make a small world forest with pine cones and play dough. The activity is easy to set up, and adds fun imaginative play to your winter theme.

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Pine cones and play dough go together perfectly in this winter, small world, sensory activity.

Here's why they make such a great combination!

The texture and color of pine cones and play dough together provide a variety of sensory experiences for early learners. Play dough is smooth in contrast to the prickly feel of the pine cones, giving texture and dimension to the pretend play forest.

Pine cones

• Pine cones are available (in nature or in stores) in a variety of shapes and sizes.
  
  
• Pine cones are fun to collect on a nature walk, but they can also be purchased online. 
  
  
• The cones are sturdy and very versatile, making them easy to use in different ways.

Note: It's recommended that natural pine cones be cleaned before using in kids activities. 

Play dough

• Play dough is a favorite material for kids activities. Teachers and parents generally have a color or two in their toolkit for everyday play, and busy moments through the day.
  
  
• Use either homemade or store-bought play dough for this activity. 

Note: I have two easy recipes for homemade play dough that you can easily make today!

Pine cone small world forest                 

The forest is easy to create by arranging pine cones in different ways on the play dough 'forest floor'.

The cones resemble cute little trees. They can easily be supported, and moved around, in a play dough base.

Along with play dough and pine cones, you'll need a variety of small parts to complete your small world scene.

These small parts can be items you have on hand such as:

• cotton balls
• pom poms
• artificial greenery
• paper snowflakes hole puncher
• winter animal figurines
• aluminum foil

How to make a winter small world scene 

Prepare a base for the wooded area by flattening the play dough to the desired thickness with a kids rolling pin, or simply by pressing the dough with fingers and hands.

Pressing with the hands is great for strengthening fine motor muscles!

• The base doesn't have to be perfectly flat - it can be thick and lumpy in places.

Sprinkle paper snowflakes from the hole punch onto the trees. You don't have to glue the snowflakes - they can be removed and sprinkled over the trees and base over and over.

Roll small pieces of foil to make icy shapes.

Add animals or figures to the small world play. These little wooden characters look cozy with their chenille stem scarves!

The character on the left is building a snowman!

I used this snowflake hole puncher to make the snowflakes to decorate the trees. You can also purchase paper snowflakes confetti that would be fun to use.

Place a craft foam star or play dough star on the top of a tree.

Arrange - and rearrange! - the pine cone trees, ice, animals, and snowballs.

When play time is over, store the play dough securely so it can be reused.

• For convenience, set up the activity in a plastic container with a lid. This sealed plastic container. can then be easily stored, and the play dough will not dry out. The size of the container will depend on the amount of materials you want to provide for the activity.
• If preferred, remove the pine cones and small accessories and seal the container with just the play dough.

Enjoy the fun of exploring winter in the woods with this simple pine cone trees hands-on activity!

Visit our Winter Season on Pinterest for more crafts and activities