Learning about What’s Inside a Pumpkin Paper Plate Kids Craft

Follow along to make a Pumpkin Paper Plate craft with kids. The directions include an optional design to teach children about what’s inside a pumpkin to teach them the life cycle of a pumpkin and how pumpkins grow.

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With a few craft supplies kids can learn about the inside of a pumpkin while creating a cute fall or Halloween time craft. We hung ours up on the fridge but as you can see in the pictures to follow, they look great on a window because they catch the sun and look like they are glowing while helping kids remember what is inside a pumpkin.

If you have a pumpkin on hand it is always fun for kids to experience things first hand, so don’t be afraid to cut into your pumpkin in the name of learning and science even though it may not be Halloween yet. My kids loved scooping the inside of their pumpkins clean and feeling the slimy fibrous strands and smooth seeds. 

To go along with this activity we also colored, cut, and labeled a pumpkin using our Free Parts of a Pumpkin Printable to help us learn pumpkin terminology and try this preschool pumpkin classification and order activity to go along with all the fun learning.

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The Pumpkin BookFrom Seed to Pumpkin (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? (Mr. Tiffin’s Classroom Series)Pumpkin Jack

 Pumpkin Paper Plate Craft

Supplies:

• Orange Tissue Paper
• Paper Plates (We used the nice paper plates that hold shape for this craft, and saved our flimsy paper plates for later)
• Orange paint
• Clear Contact Paper
• Scissors
• Pumpkin seeds (raw, clean and dry)
• Pieces of yarn
• Green and brown craft paper
• Tape or stapler

Directions:

Printable directions are available at the end of this post to make craft time easy!

Cut out a circle inside the paper plate. Cut the top and bottom to make a pumpkin shape.

Have child paint the back of the paper plate orange and set aside to dry.

Cut out a piece of contact paper that can cover the circle. Don’t remove the contact paper backing yet. Place the paper plate on the table with the painted side facing down. Place the contact paper inside the paper plate so the sticky side is facing up towards you. Remove the backing and secure the contact paper with tape or stapler.

Have child stick pumpkin seeds on the contact paper.

Have child stick pieces of yarn on the contact paper for the fibrous strands that are inside pumpkins.

Have child place a piece of orange tissue paper to secure the seeds and yarn.

Have child cut a stem out of brown paper and a leaf out of green paper and secure it to the top of the pumpkin with tape or stapler.

Here is what our pumpkins look like near the window. I love how the tissue paper seems to glow.

Tips & Variations

• Use real pumpkin seeds for a more realistic pumpkin activity.
• Let children compare the craft with a real pumpkin.
• Use different shades of orange tissue paper for added texture.
• Add green paper vines or leaves to decorate the pumpkin.
• For younger children, precut the pumpkin shape, stem, and leaf.

See more: Halloween Ideas

See more: Craft Activities

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Pumpkin Seed Paper Plate Craft FAQs

What kind of paper plate should I use?
A white or light-colored paper plate works best, especially if you want the orange paint to show up brightly.

Can I use real pumpkin seeds?
Yes! Clean, dry pumpkin seeds work great for this craft. You can also use store-bought pumpkin seeds or pumpkin seeds from a craft supply.

What can I use instead of pumpkin seeds?
If you don’t have pumpkin seeds, try sunflower seeds, dried beans, or small pieces of brown paper.

Do I have to use yarn for the pumpkin’s fibrous strands?
No. You can use thin strips of white or cream-colored paper, string, or even cotton yarn.

What if I don’t have contact paper?
You can use clear adhesive shelf liner or another sticky-backed transparent material. Another option is to glue the seeds and yarn directly onto the paper plate.

How can I make this craft easier for younger children?
Cut the pumpkin shape, stem, and leaf ahead of time and let your child focus on painting, placing the seeds, and adding the yarn.

ADD TO THE FUN WITH THESE GREAT IDEAS!

5 Little Pumpkins Free Craft Template

Halloween Shadow Suncatchers + Free Template

Thanks for crafting with us today. If you enjoyed this idea please pin & share it with others so they can enjoy it too! Love, Katie & the Kiddos

Print the Directions Here

Originally posted 10/18/2016 Updated 8/31/2026