The article discusses collecting as an element of children’s subculture and its specifics in the life of modern preschoolers. The results obtained from interviews with 160 preschoolers of different ages, parents and educators are presented. The data suggests that collecting is an important activity at preschool age. We identify the priorities in the content of children's collections in different preschool ages; describe the modern phenomena of collecting in a virtual space and online collecting; explore the formation of children's independence within this type of activity; and reveal the functions of collecting at preschool age. It is shown that at preschool age collecting becomes an increasingly independent activity and even acquires the form of a cultural activity, as in its content that reflects existing cultural values, as in its functions that reflect social orientation. Basing on the analysis of the obtained data, we conclude that supporting the child’s cognitive orientation and independence at preschool age through collecting may contribute to his/her development and open up new possibilities for communicative interaction.