Pine Cone Owl

[30 Minutes]

On your next walk, you and your child can collect pine cones and transform them into lovely creatures of nature!

You'll need:

• pine cones • felt or construction paper • glue • child safety scissors

What to do:

1. Go for a walk with your child and collect some pine cones.
2. Back at home, look at some pictures together of real owls.
3. Invite your child to cut facial features--large round eyes, beak, and feet from felt or construction paper. He can use a variety of colors.
4. Help your child glue the facial features and the feet onto the pine cones.
5. Encourage him to place these around the house and look at "Who-ooo" is watching you.
6. The owl is a wise bird who would love to have you and your child sing this song about him (Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"):

   Mr. Owl perched in a tree.
   "Whooo goes there," he said to me.
   I looked high up in that oak,
   But could not find the one who spoke.
   In the sky, I saw that bird,
   "Whoo, whooo, whooo" was all I heard.
   

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• What did you glue on your owl's face?
• Where could you find a real owl?
• What do you think owls eat?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity generates a sense of wonder, curiosity, and provides experiences related to nature and science.