Children will explore counting, number identification, and one-to-one correspondence with this easy pumpkin seed counting activity. Add it to your list of preschool pumpkin activities this fall.
October is definitely the month for all things pumpkin seeds, right? We even made TWO different types of this pumpkin seed slime.
Although, according to many of my former preschoolers, you can play and learn with pumpkin seeds anytime of year. They even came up with this cute Christmas tree art idea using dyed pumpkin seeds.
If you happen to have extras on-hand, why not try out a simple math activity with the children?
Bonus: I even have a related free printable book to go along with it. You can grab your own copy at the bottom of this post.
Pumpkin Seed Counting Activity
As I said earlier, this pumpkin math is incredibly simple to set up.
Just because it’s simple to put together doesn’t mean it’s not packed with learning, though.
Pumpkin Seed Math Materials
You really don’t need many materials for this pumpkin activity (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Pumpkin seeds
- Pumpkin cookie cutter
- Orange marker
- Construction paper
- Glue (optional)
Don’t worry if you don’t have a pumpkin cookie cutter.
You can always just cut out pumpkin shapes (or simple circles) from orange construction paper. You could just as easily draw the pumpkins by hand. Your choice!
Counting Pumpkin Seeds Directions
You can set this math activity up for the children, or you can involve them in the entire process from start to finish. That just depends on your personal preference and your students.
First, grab a piece of white construction paper.
Then trace nine pumpkins onto the paper using the pumpkin cookie cutter and the orange marker.
Related: Pumpkin Geoboard
Next, write numbers 1 through 9 in the pumpkins. Depending on your students’ needs, you can write the numbers in order or mixed up.
Related: Pumpkin Seed Activities
After the pumpkin numbers are ready, the children can start adding the pumpkin seeds.
Related: Pumpkin Crafts for Preschoolers
If you want the pumpkin seed counting activity to be reusable, you can place the paper in a sheet protector. Otherwise, leave the page as is.
Children count out the correct amount of seeds to place by each number. To ensure the kids check their hard work, try encouraging them to count the sets of seeds by touching or moving each seed as they count.
If you and the children would like to, have the kids glue pumpkin seeds down on each pumpkin according to it’s number.
Related: Math Activities for Preschoolers
Pumpkin Seed Counting Book
As promised, I have a printable book to go along with this pumpkin seed counting activity.
You can get your own copy at the very bottom of this post.
After a ton of hands-on exploration of real pumpkins and then counting with pumpkin seeds, make a book with your students.
The children can color in the black-and-white version of the book, adding their fingerprints to make the pumpkin seeds.
Make sure to keep the books to read and count together again and again!
The color version can be used as counting mats for your math center. Pair the pages with acrylic pumpkins, pumpkin seeds, or play dough.
More Pumpkin Seed Counting Ideas
You can definitely set this pumpkin math activity in a few different ways. Below are a few suggestions:
- Explore numbers beyond 9 by creating extra pumpkin numbers (or adding to the previous numbers).
- Make individual pumpkin number cards. Laminate them and keep the cards in your math center along with extra pumpkin seeds.
- Add tongs or tweezers to the pumpkin seed counting activity, along with dice. Let the children make a number game out of it.
- Use orange cupcake liners in place of the pumpkin shapes. Write the numbers inside the liners and place them in a muffin tin.
- Write numbers on the outside of mini plastic pumpkin containers. Then the kids can add pumpkin seeds to the small pumpkins.
So really, the sky’s the limit! Which version of the pumpkin seed counting activity will you try with your kids?
Done-For-You Preschool Resources
We know how hard it is to use all of your free time planning lessons, gathering materials, and creating printables for your students each week.
That’s why Preschool Teacher 101 has so many resources that will save you time and money . . . while still being able to do what you love, providing the very best education for your students.
Click on the images below to learn more about these specific resources.
Get the Printable Book
The pumpkin seed counting book is available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re a member, just add your information in the form below.
If you’re not a member, no worries. You can join by entering your information in the form below. You’ll receive the printable book as a welcome gift.
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