What's the name of a fruit that can grow over 1,000 pounds in weight? What fruit has seeds that when roasted make a tasty snack? The answer to both of these questions is the pumpkin. The pumpkin is known for its bright beautiful coloring and it tastes great in pies or breads. Their pulp can also be used to make soups.
The pumpkin grows on a vine and many of its growers use secrets that help them to become a Gardner's delight or pride. They have various ranges not only in size but also in coloring. As the pumpkin grows larger and larger their color changes from white to yellow.
The pumpkin shape is unlike any other and can be quite interesting to use as a craft theme. The pumpkin shape and its color are undoubtedly part of every Halloween theme. Picking out a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch is a tradition for some families.
Preschoolers will enjoy exploring the pumpkin shape and actually touching one in your class. Your class will love it when they make crafts with the pumpkin shape.
- Class Pumpkin- Bring a pumpkin into your classroom and allow the children to explore it. Explain to the children that they will make their own crafts using the pumpkin shape. Optional: Bring the children roasted seeds and explain to them that what they are eating comes from the pumpkin, in fact they are the seeds from the pumpkin fruit.
- Glow In The Dark Pumpkins - Materials: You will need construction paper, glow in the dark markers, large or medium pumpkin stencil. Instructions: Help the children outline their pumpkins with the glow in the dark markers. It is optional to color the pumpkin shapes. Turn off the lights to allow the children to see their drawings.
- Paper Bag Pumpkins - Materials: You will need to collect paper bags, newspaper or magazines, orange and brown paint, and rubber bands. Note: You will need paper bags that aren't grocer bags, but the type that will not hold a box shape. You will need paper bags that when overstuffed will keep a rounded shape like a pumpkin. Instructions: Help the children stuff crumpled up newspaper or magazine paper into the bottom half of a large paper bag. Once they have stuffed the bags, close the tops and twist really hard until the tops are closed. Ensure that the bags are stuffed until they look rounded, twist the top, fold it over and wrap the rubber band around. This will be the pumpkin stem. Cut off any unneeded portion of the bag and allow the children to paint the bottom part in orange paint. Help the children paint the top part of the bag (the stem) brown and let them dry.
For a math connection about shapes, be sure to note the difference between the three dimensional, round shape of the paper bag pumpkins and the flat, one dimensional, shape of the glow-in-the dark pumpkin to the preschoolers. If desired, go on a classroom hunt of round objects and circles and compare them.
These pumpkin crafts are easy to make and will help preschoolers learn a little more about the shape of a pumpkin. These fall season favorites are a must for every Halloween decoration and even grace many tables during Thanksgiving.
Cited Sources:
"Cool Pumpkin Facts". October 12, 2009 <http://kids-learn.org/pumpkins/coolfacts.htm>.