October is full of excitement in the classroom, but not every student celebrates Halloween. That’s why I love doing a Pumpkin Party—it’s inclusive, hands-on, and perfect for the end of the month! Here are seven pumpkin-themed activities that build skills while keeping things festive:
1. Pumpkin Bowling
Gross motor practice disguised as fun! Line up small pumpkins and let students roll them down like bowling balls. Bonus: add numbers or letters to the pins for an extra learning twist.
2. Exploring the Inside of a Pumpkin
Sensory play meets science. Let kids scoop, touch, and sort seeds and pulp while talking about textures, shapes, and even counting seeds.
3. Pumpkin Drawing with Whiteboard Markers
Fine motor skills without the mess! Kids can draw designs on mini pumpkins using wipe-off markers. Great for creativity and hand control.
4. Pumpkin Geoboards
Stretch those fingers and explore shapes! Kids create designs on pumpkin-shaped geoboards using rubber bands—perfect for building fine motor strength and spatial reasoning.
5. Pumpkin Letter Matching
Work on literacy in a hands-on way. Match uppercase and lowercase letters, sight words, or even simple French/English vocab to pumpkin cards.
6. Weighing and Measuring Pumpkins
Math in action! Students compare pumpkin weights, measure circumference, or guess how many seeds fit in each one. It’s practical, hands-on math that actually feels like play.
7. Pumpkin Art
Always a hit. Whether it’s painting, stamping, or collaging, pumpkin art is a calm, creative way to reflect the season.
These activities are quick to prep, inclusive, and packed with learning opportunities. They work beautifully for classrooms with multiple languages, too—you can introduce key words in French and English without extra stress.
✨ Want more hands-on, bilingual fall activities?
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