Yesterday we decorated pumpkins for Halloween and turned our pumpkins into a fun sensory art activity/nature craft/fine motor skill practice…basically lots of great stuff in one activity! My little toddler and preschooler loved this activity, and I did too, so I am excited to report it’s great for all ages. One more awesome thing about this activity is the pumpkin will last longer then a carved pumpkin. That means you can do this activity today, and avoid having a mold covered pumpkin before Halloween arrives. Yay! đŸ™‚
Simple Pumpkin decorating activity for Halloween
%2C%20sensory%20play%2C%20fine%20motor%20skills%2C%20and%20creativity-Perfect!)
Supplies:
Pumpkins
Glue
Small sponge or paint brush
Decorations-We used items found in nature, but you could use whatever you have on hand. We used:
- Dried corn
- Feathers
- Rice
- Black sesame seeds
- Bird seed
- Preserved leaves
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Directions:
1. Set supplies out. My kids where already exploring our supplies while I was trying to take a picture of them to share with you. They where so excited, and the activity looked so inviting! Let kids explore and touch what they want so it’s a fun sensory experience.
2. Use sponge to apply glue, and decorate pumpkin.
My kids used their sponges to apply glue, but eventually ended up with glue on their hands and supplies stuck to their fingers. We washed our hands several times during this activity because it bothered them to have things stuck on them. You may want to give kids spoons so they can sprinkle the decorations on the pumpkin, and possibly avoid having to wash hands so much.
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| Notice our watch dog is doing his job, lol đŸ™‚ |
Sometimes activities don’t always go as planned. Ms. Tiger became upset during our activity and stopped wanting to participate. She even told me she hated doing activities :(. I don’t remember what set her off, but when things don’t go as planned I try to stay calm. We took a break and when she had calmed down she came to me and apologized, I was impressed!
We tried the activity again with a different pumpkin and had success. I don’t ever want to force her into doing activities that are supposed to be fun and creative.
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| The second time around, she placed each item one at a time on her pumpkin. |
After the activity, I let the kids play with the extra decorations in a sensory bin.
Once the glue dries, the pumpkins are a fun sensory experience to touch and pretty to look at. We set ours out on the porch, ready for Halloween.
More Fall and Halloween Activities we have done:
33 Halloween Sensory Play Ideas
Spider Web String Art
Halloween Preschool Craft & Learn Ideas
Fall Leaf Candles
Leaf Collage
This is such a creative idea! I just wanted to let you know that I have a kids activity submission site (Simply Creative Kids) and I am linking to this post if you don't mind. You are welcome to submit any projects at my site if you'd like.
Hi Alyssa, Thanks so much for the invite and for sharing our pumpkins. I love all the ideas you have posted. What a wonderful site!
they look amazing. would love if you shared this on our kids in the kitchen linky this week. http://lookwhatmomfound.com/2014/10/halloween-candy-coated-pretzel-rods.html
Hi Melinda, Thanks so much for the invite. I missed this weeks party, but I will be sure to visit again đŸ™‚
Amazing idea! Thanks for linking up to the #parentingpinitparty
What a fun idea! My daughter would love this. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Hi Carrie, Thanks so much for the nice comment and for visiting from Sharing Saturday đŸ™‚
Thank you so much for linking this post up to The Sunday Showcase! What a wonderful pumpkin! I love all the textures on it.
Hi Deirdre, Thanks so much! My kids love exploring their pumpkins with their little fingers. They have been fun to have around.
I adore this idea! Sharing! Coming to you from the Bewitchin’ Projects Block Party!!
Hi Ronda, Thank you so much for the nice comment and for the share!
What a neat idea! It looks like they really had a lot of fun with it!
Hi Jennifer, thanks so much!
Such a wonderful project – great for the little ones!
Thanks for linking up to WW!
Ann – Co-host
http://theapplestreetcottage.blogspot.com/
Hi Ann, thanks so much for the nice comment an for the visit. Have a great day đŸ™‚
Oh wow, is this ever a cool idea… and something I have never seen before (which is rare since I've been in child care for over 20 years)!
Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer, I am so glad to hear it. I was pretty excited when the idea popped into my head, I was hoping it was going to be the first post of its kind. Thanks for stopping by. đŸ™‚