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!
Pumpkin Free Art
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 Stamping
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Create your own pumpkin on the vine artwork. Using green paint, create a pumpkin vine with leaves. Use clothespins with pompoms clipped on, dip the pompoms in orange paint and stamp it onto the paper to finish your own pumpkin vine.
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Pour Paint Pumpkins
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Use Pour Paint method to paint pumpkins. A fun and unique twist on painting pumpkins!
This fun paint method is easy and preschoolers will love it, we have all the details for the Pour Paint Pumpkin on our blog |
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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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Pumpkin Carving Dramatic Play
Using plastic pumpkins and plastic utensils, have children pretend to carve a pumpkin. You can set up a home scene with a plastic table cloth, bowls and scoops for seeds, and tea lights.
Pumpkin Dress Up
Have children make pumpkin costumes and dress up as pumpkins. You can also use large orange T shirts, or Orange Fabric to create "pumpkin smocks". Attach green leaves to the stem, Have them imagine what might be happening in the pumpkin patch.
Invitation to Build a Small World Play Pumpkin Patch*
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!
Pumpkin Tower
Challenge children to build the tallest pumpkin tower using small plastic pumpkins and play dough.
Pumpkin 3-Part Cards*
Pair 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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Flip and Find Alphabet Pumpkin Patch*
Practice 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 Pumpkin*
Explore 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!
Recommended 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.
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
Measure your height with Pumpkins
Mark each child's height on the floor with masking tape Have them line up the plastic pumpkins on the tape and count how many pumpkins tall they are.
Pumpkin Color Matching*
These 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
Use our Pumpkin Investigation set to count seeds, measure, weigh and count the lines on a pumpkin.
Images shared by community member Sheena W of Building Blocks Family Childcare
Images shared by community member Sheena W of Building Blocks Family Childcare
Pumpkin Shape Cards*
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Adding Up Pumpkin Seeds*
This activity is great for children working on early addition skills! This printable mat can be found in our Pumpkin Activity Pack. This photo was contributed by Sheena W.
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Mini Pumpkin Counting
Pair 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.
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.
5-Little Pumpkins
Practice counting by reciting the 5 Little Pumpkin Finger play-Fall Circle Time Rhymes
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Pumpkin Seed Color Patterning and Sorting Activities
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Use dyed pumpkin seeds in a variety of color sorting, and color patterning activities. This activity allows you to carve and dissect a pumpkin with your preschoolers then gather and clean the seeds to dye them all different colors.
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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 Cycle*
Explore 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
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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.
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Pumpkin Slime
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Add in pumpkins Seeds to your favorite orange or clear slime recipe. If you're looking for a slime recipe you can check out this Halloween slime tutorial but use orange coloring instead.
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Pumpkin Hammering-Fine Motor
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 Board-Fine Motor
Add 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 Dough-Fine Motor
Add 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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Pumpkin Ring toss- Gross Motor
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 Bean Bag Toss- Gross Motor
Carve pumpkins so that they have large mouths.
Challenge children to toss the bean bags and get them in the pumpkin's mouth.
Challenge children to toss the bean bags and get them in the pumpkin's mouth.
Pumpkin Relay Race-Gross Motor
Have children stand in a line and pass a pumpkin down to the end of the line.
See how many times they can pass it back and forth in a set amount of time.
See how many times they can pass it back and forth in a set amount of time.
Pumpkin Heavy Work- Gross Motor
Give children real or fake pumpkins (want them to be weighted in some way) and have them carry, push, roll, etc. for some great heavy work practice.
Pumpkin Patch Obstacle Course-Gross Motor
Create a pumpkin patch obstacle course using chalk and real or fake pumpkins. Children could jump over pumpkins. Walk a balance beam while holding a pumpkin, weave in and out of a row or pumpkins and so much more!
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.
Pumpkin Washing- Teamwork
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.
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.
Bake a Pumpkin Treat Together- Teamwork
Baking with preschoolers is a fun way to encourage teamwork (creating something together) while introducing and developing important math and literacy concepts.
Find a simple pumpkin recipe to make this week like this Pumpkin Muffin Recipe.
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
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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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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Pumpkin Decoration Display-Family Engagement
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.
