Pour Paint Pumpkin Preschool Craft Tutorial

10/18/2024

Pour Paint Pumpkin Preschool Craft Tutorial

A painted pumpkin tutorial for preschoolers that is quick and easy but with an incredible outcome. Pour painting pumpkins is a great way for preschoolers to decorate their own pumpkins using vibrant colors and it's a ton of fun!

There are so many fun pumpkin decorating activities out there, but this one definitely is high-up on our list of favorites. It gives a new spin on pumpkin decorating without having to worry about the safety aspects of carving. It's the perfect opportunity for preschoolers to create something of their own using their favorite colors and a super simple technique. We are sharing the simple steps to make your own pour-painted pumpkin. Say that ten times fast!
This art experience is great to pair with a Preschool Pumpkin Theme!

Supplies:

This fun activity is one of 200 hands on preschool activities featured in our Pre-K Play Ideas eBook! Purchase our eBook to have all of these activity pages at your fingertips.

Acrylic or Tempera Paint
Water
Spoon or popsicle stick
Assorted small containers or cups
Various sizes of Mini Pumpkins, fall squash or gourds
Shallow tray or box

This activity can be done as a group with one big pumpkin as a collaboration project. Or, you can provide each student with a mini pumpkin. A white pumpkin would also be a great choice!

* Teacher tip: Acrylic paint is non-washable so be sure to use smocks or be extra careful with the surface that you are doing this project on.

Directions:

Start by adding paint to cups, thin out with water to desired consistency. Depending on the type of paint you are using it can be very thick.

Make sure you stir the water and paint unti it is well until mixed. You can use one color per cup, or add up to 2 or 3 colors to each. These little cups work great for pouring especially for little hands!

***Do not stir after adding additional colors.

Place pumpkin on an upside down cup, or small stand, we added a paper paint under the pumpkin to make for easy clean-up and to prevent paint from ruining any surfaces.

Then allow the children to pour the paint over the top of the pumpkin. As they are pouring, ask them what colors they notice and what is happening. Remind them of the importance of slowly pouring to see what is happening.

If you desire extra coverage or would like to add additional colors, simply add more paint and repeat the process. As you pour watch how the colors swirl together! It's also so fun to see what the puddled up paint at the bottom looks like, a natural opportunity to introduce mixing colors.

Pour painted pumpkins are a great addition to your Pumpkin or Halloween unit, and your preschoolers will love displaying the outcome.

Buy the eBook!

Save time planning your hands on preschool activities! Find detailed directions for this activity + 199 more in our Pre-K Play Ideas eBook! Print each activity page, or access them digitally!