Looking for pumpkin theme activities? It’s such a classic fall theme. Here are 16+ activities featured in my free pumpkin lesson plans for preschool. Be sure to check out all my preschool lesson planning resources, too!
Activities to Add to Your Pumpkin Theme Lesson Plans for Preschool
Pumpkins provide so many fun hands-on learning opportunities in the classroom and even at home. Like an apple preschool theme, many preschoolers are already very familiar with pumpkins, which makes activities even more fun because they come with some background knowledge. From process art, to math and science investigations, and some sensory play, the possibilities are endless.
That’s why a pumpkin preschool theme is always a must every fall.
You might like these hands-on alphabet and counting activities, too!
>>> Hands-on Alphabet Activities for Preschoolers
>>> Hands-on Counting Activities for Preschoolers
How do You Teach Preschoolers about Pumpkins?
Pumpkins make the best hands-on activities for preschool. Some preschoolers may be slightly more familiar with pumpkins that others. Certainly many preschoolers experience some pumpkin activities alongside their Halloween activities in preschool, but how can you best teach your preschoolers about pumpkins?
- Formally introduce pumpkins in circle time or in a small group setting. This is a good time to teach pumpkin vocabulary.
- Provide real pumpkins for your preschoolers to touch and handle. Make sure you offer a variety in sizes, (and if possible), textures and colors.
- Read lots of picture books about pumpkins. I offer several recommendations in this post.
- Offer a pumpkin themed science center with magnifying glasses, items for measuring, and pictures of pumpkins. If you’re feeling adventurous, cut open a pumpkin with your preschoolers and allow them to explore the insides.
How to Engage Preschoolers in Pumpkin Activities
Even though preschoolers tend to have a natural interest in pumpkins, sometimes they need a little encouragement when handling real pumpkins. Here are a few tips to help them have a great learning experience.
- Keep lessons between 5-15 minutes.
- Make pumpkin activities hands-on.
- Allow your preschooler to move about during the lesson.
- Encourage (but don’t force) preschoolers to “get their hands dirty“. [Literally]
- Offer the same lessons multiple times if they are enjoyable.
- Give them a task and ways to help during a lesson.
More Free Lesson Plans for Preschoolers
Looking for more free preschool lesson plans? Try all the preschool themes included in my Learn At Home Preschool Lesson Plans Collection.
New activity sets are rolled out weekly. Themes include everything from apples, spring, and bugs & butterflies to 1st Week of School, Family & Pets, and now…Fire Safety Preschool Lesson Plans!
Be sure to subscribe to keep up with the latest set of activities and have them automatically emailed to you when they’re ready.
To find all my Learn at Home Preschool lesson plans, see here:
>>> LEARN AT HOME PRESCHOOL LESSON PLAN COLLECTION <<<
In total, I will have 40+ sets of free preschool lesson plans (that can easily be used for homeschool preschool or in the classroom) by the end of the school year. Seriously, make sure you have subscribed so that you don’t miss a week of free lesson plans!
Pumpkin Themed Learning Activities for Preschoolers and Toddlers
The best pumpkin lesson plans for preschoolers are those that include a range of activities. My Learn At Home Preschool Lesson Plans always include literacy, math, science, and social-emotional skills, as well as lots of other play-based learning activities.
Literacy Activities for a Pumpkin Preschool Theme
Pumpkin Colors – Grab the crayons or markers and invite your preschooler to make their very own colored pumpkin book. Print the pumpkin pages and staple together to make a book. Encourage your preschooler to read the color word at the bottom and find the matching crayon or marker. After coloring the pages, invite your preschooler to read it back to you and circle the color word with the matching crayon or marker.
Pumpkin Race to the Letter Game – Print two sets of these pumpkin alphabet cards and put 5-6 around the house, taped to the wall or an object. Grab the matching letter cards and keep them hidden. Count to 3 and flash the letter card for your preschooler to see. Invite your preschooler to go on a hunt for the matching letter. Once they find it, bring it back to the starting point and match it, name it, and say the letter sound. Then off to find the next letter!
Math and Science Activities for a Pumpkin Preschool Theme
Pumpkin Seed Counting – Grab a muffin tray, dice, and roasted pumpkin seeds for this easy counting game. Roll the dice and transfer seeds to the muffin tin.
Pumpkin Math Counting – Grab some mini pumpkins and a permanent marker for this math game. Write a number on the bottom of the pumpkins and put them in a bin of water so they float. Write numbers in sidewalk chalk or on a piece of cardboard. Invite your preschooler to scoop them out with a spoon and match them to the written number.
Pumpkin Science – Cut open a mini pumpkin together and examine the seeds and pulp. Invite your preschooler to describe the inside of a pumpkin.
Playful Learning Activities for a Pumpkin Preschool Theme
Orange Hunt – We know pumpkins are orange but what other things are orange? Stay in or go outside and hunt for orange objects.
Leaf Art – Head outside and find unusual leaves! Or make leaf art by tracing or drawing leaves on paper or with sidewalk chalk. Can you identify a pumpkin leaf?
Cardboard Box Fun – Grab cardboard and let the creativity flow! Using preferred materials, make a jack-o-lantern or a pumpkin pie.
Kid Yoga – Time to stretch and breathe! Preschoolers must likely won’t stay quiet but do some silly poses together to stretch and move their bodies.
Social-Emotional Activities for a Pumpkin Preschool Theme
Pumpkin Feelings – Grab some orange paper or mini pumpkins for this fun and clever activity. Watch Feelings and Emotions on YouTube and review different emotions for your preschooler. Invite your preschooler to draw faces on orange paper or mini pumpkins. Model drawing different emotions including sad, angry, frustrated, tired, scared, and bored. Line up the faces after drawing and invite your preschooler to identify how each pumpkin is feeling.
Pass the Pumpkin Game – Play Pass the Pumpkin game with family members and friends with fun and lively music. Stand in a circle and give the first person a mini pumpkin. When the music stops, whoever is holding the pumpkin has to say something nice about the person to their right and the person holding the pumpkins sits in the middle until the game is over and there is only one person left standing. This game is ideal for teaching young children how to give authentic compliments and share thanks and gratitude for friends and family. Don’t forget to shower your preschooler with compliments and positive messages too!
Just Plain Fun Activities for a Pumpkin Preschool Theme
Tissue Paper Pumpkin Art – Using tissue paper, liquid glue, and a mini pumpkin, create a piece of art! Using a paintbrush, paint the liquid glue all over the mini pumpkin and then add pieces or ripped or cut tissue paper. Then, paint more glue on top and let dry for a colorful pumpkin!
Pumpkin Bowling – Grab a few water bottles and some pumpkins for this fun game. Set up the water bottle “pins” and invite your preschooler to roll the pumpkin towards the pins. Strike!
Playdough Pumpkins – Get some orange playdough and make fun pumpkin faces! Or create colorful pumpkins on a long green vine. Be creative!
Get Online Activities for a Pumpkin Preschool Theme
Online Story – Go to YouTube and listen to the book, Pete the Cat 5 Little Pumpkins by Eric Litwin. Invite your preschooler to draw 5 pumpkins and draw the pumpkin faces as you sing and read along to this revamped classic of the 5 Little Pumpkins.
I Love Pumpkins Song – Listen to the song I Love Pumpkins. This song teaches us about the parts of the pumpkin with a catchy tune!
The Pumpkin Life Cycle Song – Learn all about how a pumpkin grows big and round with this life cycle song. See the seeds, sprout, vines, flowers, and finally a pumpkin!
Get Your Free Pumpkin Preschool Lesson Plans Here
These done-for-you lesson plans take all the stress from making the perfect pumpkin preschool theme. Grab your own copy by clicking the image below.
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I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
