Our Favorite Pumpkin Activities for Preschoolers
Fall is one of the most exciting seasons in a preschool classroom, and pumpkins are the perfect way to bring hands-on learning into your daily activities. Whether you're exploring science, math, literacy, art, or sensory play, pumpkins are a perfect addition to the classroom.
If you're looking for pumpkin-themed ideas, here are some of our favorite activities that preschoolers will love!
Pumpkin Volcano Science
Have you ever tried to turn your Halloween Jack-o-lantern into a volcano? This is a fun and simple science experiment you can do with your carved pumpkins. You can find all of the instructions and a free video lesson on our blog!
Puffy Paint Pumpkin
If you’ve never tried make-you-own puffy paint, it is a MUST do with preschoolers. It’s easy to make, easy to clean, and creates the best sensory activity for little learners. Get full instructions and the free template to make your own puffy paint pumpkin on our blog!
Five Little Pumpkins Activity and Video Lesson
We created a free cut and paste activity to go along with the classic Halloween poem “Five Little Pumpkins!” You can find it on our blog here, along with a free video lesson to watch and sing along with!
Pumpkin Patch Sticker Activity
We were inspired by the amazing Miss Morgan’s pumpkin patch butcher paper activity to create a smaller version for our little learners to try today! Here is a link to Miss Morgan’s post all about what she did: Butcher Paper Pumpkin Patch Activity. If you don’t follow her, you should! You can find our modified activity and free download on our blog, here.
Pumpkin Pie in a Cup
This hands-on activity is easy for little learners and a great way to introduce them to measuring, mixing, and tasting new ingredients. With just a few ingredients like graham cracker crumbs, pumpkin pudding or puree, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, each child can create their own mini pie in a clear cup. We usually do this around Thanksgiving but its fun any time! We’ve also created a fun printable to practice sequencing that you can do while you’re cooking! You can find it in our shop!
Pumpkin Hammer Activity
This fun idea comes from the Pocket of Preschool blog. Giving students some rubber mallets and golf tees to hammer into small pumpkins. Such a great way to build motor skills!
Pumpkin Bath
This simple sensory activity is so fun and so easy! Find all the details on the Busy Toddler blog!
Why Pumpkin Activities Are Perfect for Preschool
Pumpkins naturally support learning across every area of the preschool curriculum. A single pumpkin can inspire science investigations, counting games, sensory exploration, creative art, language development, and more. Pumpkin activities encourage children to ask questions, explore with their senses, and learn through hands-on play. This fall, bring a few pumpkins into your classroom and watch the learning unfold!
Check out these other blogs before you go:
Our free Halloween Seek and Find download is a fun way to work on visual discrimination and fine motor skills for Halloween!