Fall is the perfect time to teach children about pumpkins. These preschool pumpkin activities are sure to inspire some engaging, hands-on fun for your next pumpkin theme!
Related: Pumpkin Seed Activities
Planning for Your Preschool Pumpkin Theme
I have to admit, once I see pumpkins begin to show up in grocery stores I am ready to start planning a pumpkin theme.
What about you? Do you break out the pumpkin activity plans right away?
Let’s jump into getting those plans down on paper.
Why a Pumpkin Theme?
Pumpkins can be such an engaging topic for preschoolers to delve into.
Children can explore pumpkins with every single one of their senses. We know kids learn through their senses, and pumpkins aid them in doing just that.
A pumpkin theme can be very much relevant to the children’s lives. They’re seeing pumpkins at local stores, and their parents are talking about pumpkin patch trips.
On top of that, many children have some background experience with pumpkins. So preschool pumpkin activities are a great jumping off point for teaching literacy, math, science, etc.
And for those children with no prior experience with pumpkins, this is a very hands-on way to provide that initial experience.
When to Teach Preschoolers about Pumpkins
Where I live, fall is definitely the best time to teach children about pumpkins.
Pumpkins are usually ready to harvest in the middle of fall, which makes preschool pumpkin activities seasonally relevant.
The local farmers are opening up their farms to pumpkin patch trips. Pumpkins are being sold in the stores, and all things pumpkin spice have appeared.
What about where you live?
Special Materials to Have on Hand
You can definitely teach a pumpkin theme in preschool using materials you already have in your classroom!
But there are also some specific items it would be great to incorporate if at all possible. You might do this by asking parents to donate a few items, talking with local farmers about donations, and touching base with your administrator for materials.
Here are some suggestions to consider for your preschool pumpkin activities:
- Real pumpkins of varying sizes, shapes, and colors
- Small pumpkin manipulatives (like mini erasers, pompoms, or small pumpkin toys)
- Pumpkin seeds
- Gourds of different shapes and sizes
Must-Try Preschool Pumpkin Activities
Below you’ll find a collection of pumpkin-themed preschool activities from Fun-A-Day. I’ll update as more ideas are added!
Materials for Pumpkin Activities
To keep the pumpkin fun going all fall, you’ll need to stock up on some quality materials. Check out this list below for some great products to keep on hand for all of your fall needs (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Mini pumpkins
- Pumpkin seeds
- Food coloring
- Glitter
- Apple seeds
- Leaves
- Paint
- Sticks
- Acrylic pumpkins
- Pumpkin confetti
Some of these materials can be found at your local store or purchased online. But for others, all you’ll need to do is step right outside and gather them. Regardless of what materials are used or how you use them, your students are going to have a blast learning about pumpkins!
Pumpkin Lesson Plans & More
If you’re looking for resources to help you as a preschool teacher, you need to check out The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101. It will save you so much time planning and organizing!
Preschool Teacher 101’s pumpkin theme lesson plans have more than 180 pages of daily and weekly plans, center explanations, book suggestions, and related printables. They will make planning your preschool pumpkin activities and lessons a breeze.
Other Done-For-You Preschool Pumpkin Activities
Fall Pumpkin Roll and Color Games
Pumpkin Number Sense Activities
Even More Preschool Pumpkin Activities and Resources
There are just so many amazing pumpkin-themed ideas and resources out there, right?
So I thought I’d add a few more suggestions in case you want All Things Pumpkins for your preschool classroom.
Pumpkin Books for Preschoolers
As with all preschool themes, you cannot get by without books!
Supplement all of your preschool pumpkin activities with a good read aloud (or two or three).
Here are some of my favorites:
Pumpkin Songs for Kids
Miss Molly’s “The Counting Pumpkins Song” is a very laid-back, soothing song for your pumpkin theme.
“The Pumpkin Chant” from Miss Nina is a sweet chant to try with the children. I love that it integrates movements and lots of rhyming words.
Little Story Bug’s “Where is Pumpkin?” song and activity would be perfect for circle time.
“The Pumpkin Life Cycle Song” by Casey is a fun and engaging way to teach the kids about how pumpkins grow. By the end of the song, I’m sure your students will be giggling!
Of course you can’t forget “Five Little Pumpkins” (this version is by Kiboomers).
Here’s another song called “Five Little Pumpkins.” This version is by Super Simple Songs, and it’s a different type of five little pumpkins song. This one focuses in descriptions and how the pumpkins are feeling.
More Pumpkin-Themed Resources
If you need even MORE preschool pumpkin activities to try, check out some of the ideas below!
40+ Pumpkin Crafts for Preschoolers
Pumpkin Manipulatives
Below are some fun pumpkin manipulatives and such to integrate into your preschool pumpkin activities:
What are some of your favorite preschool pumpkin activities to do with your students?
Leave me a comment below, or pop over to Fun-A-Day’s Facebook page to tell me all about it!
So many fun activities!!! My kids will love these.
Thank you! Be sure to let me know how it goes if you and the kids try one!
Oh Wow – what a list!
I’ll definitely have to try some of these with my little boy. I especially like the look of the pumpkin geoboard and the pumpkin seed tree. They’ll be great for his fine motor skills!
Thanks for sharing.
Pinned!
I have to admit, the pumpkin geoboard and the dyed pumpkin seeds might be my favorites of the whole lot! Let me know what your son thinks if you’re able to try them out.