Preschool Pumpkin Theme Activities
Below you can find tons of fun and engaging Pumpkin Activities! Pick and choose the activities for your lesson or download a free copy of our Pumpkin Preschool Lesson Plan to save you time!
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Pumpkin Theme Map
Do you need helping planning your Pumpkin theme? Use the suggested learning objectives and vocabulary ideas found on our Theme Map to help you plan your own Pumpkin Lessons.
Free Pumpkin Preschool Plan
Sign up below to get your own free copy of a sample plan we created using ideas from this page!
Art, Crafts, Music, and Movement
Be sure to add extra "Orange" colored Art Supplies to your space this week (Orange Paint, Crayons, Pens etc.). Add plastic pumpkin cookie cutters to this space as well. You can DIY your own pumpkin face "Stamps" out of craft foam or potatoes for some pumpkin stamping fun!
Squish and Twist color Mixing PumpkinInvite your preschooler to engage in a fun process art experience that they can transform into a fun pumpkin craft. See the Squish and Twist tutorial on my blog.
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Pumpkin 3D Artcommunity member April L. of Creative Corner Early Learning invited her preschoolers to make pumpkins from salt dough and then they painted them.
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*Pumpkin Face Painting
Provide pumpkins or pumpkin cutouts for children to decorate with paint or markers.
For best results, use a sealant on the pumpkin and allow to dry before painting. Sealants can be found in both spray form or liquid, try to do this the day before sot he pumpkins have plenty of time to dry.
Acrylic paint works great for painting the pumpkins.
For best results, use a sealant on the pumpkin and allow to dry before painting. Sealants can be found in both spray form or liquid, try to do this the day before sot he pumpkins have plenty of time to dry.
Acrylic paint works great for painting the pumpkins.
*Pom Pom Pumpkin Paint
Create your own pumpkin on the vine artwork. Use clothespins with pompoms clipped on, dip the pompoms in orange paint and stamp it onto the paper to create your own pumpkin vine.
More Art and Creativity Ideas:
Edible Pumpkin Pie Play Clay from Fun at Home with Kids
Pumpkin Printing for Toddlers from No Time For Flashcards
Circle Stamped Pumpkins from I Heart Crafty Things
Pour Painting Pumpkins from Simple Fun for Kids
Apple Printing Pumpkins from Nurture Store
Pumpkin Printing for Toddlers from No Time For Flashcards
Circle Stamped Pumpkins from I Heart Crafty Things
Pour Painting Pumpkins from Simple Fun for Kids
Apple Printing Pumpkins from Nurture Store
*Create a Pumpkin Patch!
It's a great time to create your own Pumpkin Patch or Pumpkin Stand in your Dramatic Play Space. You can purchase real or pretend pumpkins to use in your space, or make some DIY ones from stuffed paper bags. Be sure to check with your clients, they may be overflowing with homegrown pumpkins (or might know someone who is). In addition to Pumpkins, you can also add gourds and hay bales.
Don't forget a scale for weighing and a cash register.
Don't forget a scale for weighing and a cash register.
community member Erica P. of Erica's Educare Learning Center created a Pumpkin Patch for her program.
Indoor pumpkin patch invitations shared by readers: Julie H., Tenika B., and Sheena W.
Pumpkin Pie StandPumpkin Pies are a fall favorite! Easily transform your Dramatic Play Stand into a pie stand with my Pie Stand Dramatic Play Pack.
Don't forget to have your preschoolers sell apple cider, baked pumpkin goods, and apple cider donuts! Incorporate this with your pumpkin patch.
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*Act out 5-Little Pumpkins
Act out 5-Little Pumpkins, or act out your favorite pumpkin story!
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*3-Part CardsPair the 3-part cards from the Pumpkin Activity Pack with your favorite book about growing pumpkins!
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Name Practice with Pumpkin SeedsWrite the child's name on a piece of paper with a bold marker, provide pumpkin seeds for them to create their name with. Younger children can practice single letters, older children can practice without the name template.
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Uppercase/Lowercase Pumpkin File Folder GamePractice letter matching with a fun pumpkin themed letter matching game! Practice uppercase to lowercase or lowercase to lowercase with the printables from the Pumpkin Activity Pack.
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Label the Parts of a PumpkinExplore pumpkin words by labeling the parts of a pumpkin, this printable is included in the Pumpkin Activity Pack.
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*Pumpkin Letter Sound Game
Print out pictures of pumpkins with letters A-Z on them, scatter the pumpkins on the ground. As a group say “pumpkin pumpkin on the ground, pick one up and say my sound” and have the children take turns picking up a lettered pumpkin and practicing the sound!
More Language & Literacy Ideas:
Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie by Jill Esbaum
Pumpkin Town by Katie Mcky
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
The Roll-Away Pumpkin by Junia Wonders
From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer
Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin-Picking Plan by Loryn Brantz
Pumpkin Town by Katie Mcky
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
The Roll-Away Pumpkin by Junia Wonders
From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer
Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin-Picking Plan by Loryn Brantz
*Invitation to Build a Pumpkin Pack
Accessories to add: Paint pumpkins on some small blocks. Add materials to this space so that kids can build their own pumpkin patch: pretend pumpkins, Small Hay Bales, Green and Brown Felt. Include Farm toys in your space this week. Print out some pumpkin patterns for your pattern blocks or download this free set.
Download your own free copy of this printable pumpkin patch small world play set here!
*Add Photos from your local pumpkin patches to your space
Enhance your block play area by including pictures of local pumpkin patches!
Science and STEM
*Pumpkin STEM Investigations
Children will enjoy exploring the insides of the pumpkins. Do experiments with pumpkins. Do they sink or float?. How about some Math ? How much do they weigh?, count how many seeds are inside.Create these investigations easily with this Pumpkin STEM Investigations from Pre-K Printable Fun.
Pumpkin Theme Sensory BinPumpkin Inspired Sensory Bin shared by community member Melissa W!
Other fun ideas for your sensory bin during your pumpkin theme: Pumpkin seeds, large orange pom poms, orange colored rice, orange water beads, carved pumpkin for exploration. |
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Pumpkin Sink or FloatSink or Float Pumpkin experiment shared by community member Sheena W.
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Pumpkin ExplorationPumpkin Exploration from Community Member Amy A. of Aguilera's Family Daycare
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Pumpkin Life CycleExplore the Pumpkin Life Cycle using the printables from the Pumpkin Activity Pack. This activity comes in several different versions including this cut and paste and B&W options for coloring.
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Simple Pumpkin ObservationPumpkin exploration invitation from Community Member Tenika B.
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Pumpkin EruptionThe kids at Building Blocks added some baking soda and green colored vinegar to create erupting pumpkins!
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*Dissolving Candy Pumpkins
For this activity fill up four cups with milk, water, vinegar, and oil. Place candy pumpkin in each liquid. Make predictions and have a discussion. Make note of the changes that take place to each pumpkin.
More science & Discovery Ideas:
Pumpkin Washing from Where Imagination Grows
Pumpkin-Cano from Little Bins for Little Hands
Pumpkin Scented Cloud Dough from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Pumpkin Oobleck from Little Bins for Little Hands
Pumpkin-Cano from Little Bins for Little Hands
Pumpkin Scented Cloud Dough from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Pumpkin Oobleck from Little Bins for Little Hands
Pumpkin Sorting ColorsThese pumpkin color sorting mats are a fun way to practice color recognition and matching for preschoolers. Find these cards in the Pumpkin Activity Pack.
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Measuring and Counting with Pumpkins
Using the PKPF Pumpkin Investigation set to count seeds, measure, weigh and count the lines on a pumpkin-shared by community member Sheena W of Building Blocks Family Childcare
Pumpkin Shape CardsPractice Shapes with the pumpkin shape clip cards inside the PKPF Pumpkin Activity pack
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Adding Up Pumpkin SeedsThis activity is great for children working on early addition skills! This printable mat can be found in the Fall Booster Pack. This photo was contributed by Pre-K Printables Club Member Sheena W.
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Count up Mini PumpkinsPair some mini pumpkins with some Pumpkin Patch Counting Mats for added math engagement this week.
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*Order Pumpkins by Size
Provide a pumpkins in a variety of sizes, pretend pumpkins will work well, real pumpkins give little bodies an extra workout.
Challenge your preschoolers to put the pumpkins in order by size. Ask them what other ways they could sort the pumpkins.
Challenge your preschoolers to put the pumpkins in order by size. Ask them what other ways they could sort the pumpkins.
DIY Pumpkin Geoboard
Create a Geoboard from a pumpkin by hammering in nails or golf tees and providing large rubber bands to wrap around them.
*Pumpkin Seed Count and Transfer
Provide students with two bowls, pumpkin seeds, a dice and tweezers. Have the child roll the dice to determine how many pumpkin seeds they will need to transfer to the other bowl. This works both math and fine motor skills.
More math Ideas:
5 Little Pumpkin Fingerplay-PKPF Fall Circle Time Rhymes
*Pumpkin Hammering
Member Sheena W. shared this photo of her preschoolers pounding golf tees into a pumpkin. This activity packs in a lot of development! While engaging in this activity preschoolers are working on fine motor, gross motor, hand-eye coordination, and learning about keeping their body safe by wearing personal protective equipment.
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Pumpkin Geo BoardAdd rubber bands to your pumpkin with golf tees in it for added fine motor development. Pumpkin Hammering using golf tees and rubber bands shared by reader Cheryl C.
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Make Pumpkins from Play DoughAdd Fall Dough Mats to your play dough center along with orange dough for preschoolers to create pumpkins with. Pumpkins are a great first object to form with dough.
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*Pumpkin Count and Clip Cards
Using clip cards with clothespins are great for fine motor development and fine motor skills.
Use these Pumpkin Count & Clip Cards to practice these skills and work on math development. |
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* Glow-stick Pumpkin Ring toss
For this fun activity you will need glow stick necklaces, start by inviting the child toss the ring and try to get it around the stem. Great hand eye coordinator activity.
*Pick the Pumpkins Fine Motor Game
Grab a pack of pumpkin erasers, scatter them around a surface and invite the child to use tweezers to transfer them into a cup.
Pumpkin Patch Field Trip
Learn more about all things related to growing pumpkins with a fun field trip! Take a physical trip to a local pumpkin patch or engage in a fun virtual field trip to a pumpkin patch on youtube!
Pumpkin Voting
Pumpkins are typically explored in the fall close to election time. Take the opportunity to create a fun introduction to voting through pumpkins!
You can vote for favorite colors of pumpkins, favorite designs, favorite pumpkin food dish and more!
You can vote for favorite colors of pumpkins, favorite designs, favorite pumpkin food dish and more!
Pre-k Printables Club Members: Use the member exclusive I Can Vote pack for your voting invitation, you can find this pack in the A-Z section under the letter V
Mini Pumpkin Painting
Send each child home with a mini pumpkin to paint with their family to bring back to school, or showcase on a pumpkin parade.
Pumpkin Faces
Use a pumpkin and a dry erase marker to invite your child to practice drawing faces that show different emotions.
One idea to pair with this is to use the playing cube from the Roll & Emotions Pack. Roll the playing cube and the draw the emotion shown on the pumpkin.
One idea to pair with this is to use the playing cube from the Roll & Emotions Pack. Roll the playing cube and the draw the emotion shown on the pumpkin.
*Pumpkin Washing
Set out some dirty pumpkins along with rags and soapy water. Invite preschoolers to wash the pumpkins as a group, the pumpkins can then be used for a variety of investigations.
More Social Studies Pumpkin Ideas:
- Pumpkin Parent: Provide each child with a mini pumpkin to care for overnight.
- Learn more about pumpkins around the world
EDUCATOR RESOURCES : GROUP ACTIVITIES, CIRCLE TIME, & PARENT ENGAGEMENT
Pumpkin Theme Sign in ActivityWelcome your students to class with this engaging name recognition activity.
Includes a variety of themes and available in the shop! |
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Team Building: CollaborationGet your group working on collaboration with this activity from my Fall Team Building Activities pack.
This pack has a variety of ideas for supporting preschoolers in developing team building skills. |
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Pumpkin Theme Newsletter
In your newsletter this month consider sharing a resource for safe pumpkin carving at home like this one from ASSH.
Feature your pumpkin decorating activity in your newsletter, this is a good time to talk about the benefits of family projects. Many elementary learning programs have begun to incorporate more family projects into their curriculum. Doing small and fun projects like decorating a paper pumpkin help introduce this concept to young children. They also help families feel more engaged in the program and show children that their work is valued and important.
Feature your pumpkin decorating activity in your newsletter, this is a good time to talk about the benefits of family projects. Many elementary learning programs have begun to incorporate more family projects into their curriculum. Doing small and fun projects like decorating a paper pumpkin help introduce this concept to young children. They also help families feel more engaged in the program and show children that their work is valued and important.
Also include information about local events that have to do with pumpkins like a pumpkin patch and carving contests.
What we Want to LearnCommunity Member Sheena W. set up this display for inspiring her preschoolers to talk about what they want to learn about during the theme. She used a large post-it pad and the word wall cards from the Pumpkins Activity Pack.
Another idea for this is to use KWL Charts, see the blog post for a free printable template. |
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5 Little Pumpkins RhymeThis rhyme is a fall favorite!
Use the printable props from the Fall Circle Time Rhymes activity pack for engagement during your circle time activities. |
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Read Aloud: Too Many Pumpkins
Read the book Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White and follow up with a fun counting activity.
Try inviting your preschoolers to count all things pumpkin by setting out the Pumpkin Count and Clip Cards from the Pumpkin Activity Pack.
Another extension idea is to create a class recipe book for making dishes with pumpkin.
Try inviting your preschoolers to count all things pumpkin by setting out the Pumpkin Count and Clip Cards from the Pumpkin Activity Pack.
Another extension idea is to create a class recipe book for making dishes with pumpkin.
Pumpkin Decoration Display
Send home a basic paper plate along with a page of orange, green, and black construction paper with each child.
Invite parents to work with their children to create their very own pumpkin!
Sending the supplies home makes the project equitable since all families will have access to the same basic materials, relieves stress from parents since they won't have to search for supplies, and encourages engagement by simplifying the process.
When kids bring back in their pumpkins invite them to share about the process and their favorite parts of their pumpkin. Then display prominently in the program.
Invite parents to work with their children to create their very own pumpkin!
Sending the supplies home makes the project equitable since all families will have access to the same basic materials, relieves stress from parents since they won't have to search for supplies, and encourages engagement by simplifying the process.
When kids bring back in their pumpkins invite them to share about the process and their favorite parts of their pumpkin. Then display prominently in the program.
Pumpkin Décor
Decorating for different seasons and holidays with your preschooler is a fun and unique bonding experience.
Work with your preschooler to create some fun new pumpkin decorations or art to display in your home. If you have any other pumpkin décor, take the time to set that out as well. Here are some fun ideas for Non-Carving Pumpkin Decorating that would be fun to do with your child.
Work with your preschooler to create some fun new pumpkin decorations or art to display in your home. If you have any other pumpkin décor, take the time to set that out as well. Here are some fun ideas for Non-Carving Pumpkin Decorating that would be fun to do with your child.
Pumpkin Baking
One of the joys of Pre-K at home is the ability to do more fun activities like baking!
Baking with preschoolers is a fun way to introduce and develop math and literacy concepts.
Find a simple pumpkin recipe to make this week like this Pumpkin Muffin Recipe.
Baking with preschoolers is a fun way to introduce and develop math and literacy concepts.
Find a simple pumpkin recipe to make this week like this Pumpkin Muffin Recipe.
Tips for cooking with preschoolers:
- Do the mixing and adding ingredients at the kitchen table if you don't have a safe and stable small step ladder for them
- If you plan to do a lot of baking, consider purchasing a Learning Tower for safety and to make things a little easier
- If you have them, set out a separate measuring cup/spoon for each ingredient
- Set out the ingredients in advance with the measuring tool next to each
- For ingredients that have large containers, pour some into a smaller container for them to manage easier. Another option is to premeasure some of the ingredients and place them into small bowls
- When adding ingredients, consider adding them to a separate smaller bowl, then pour into your mixing bowl. This way if the measurement is way off or an egg shell escapes it's an easy fix
