Halloween has been and gone, you’ve enjoyed all the spooky activities with the little ones in your setting, you’ve even carved some super creative pumpkins… but now you’re stumped with what you can do with all those leftovers. Have you ever been in this situation? Well, we’ve come up with eight fun things to do with pumpkins in your early years settings to make the most out of your leftovers.
Pumpkin Seed Sorting
Separate the pumpkin seeds from the pulp and clean and dry them. Next, have the children in your setting sort them into small bowls. You can introduce basic counting or sorting by size. It’s a simple activity that helps with fine motor skills.
Pumpkin Sensory Bin
After scooping out the insides of a pumpkin for your pumpkin carving activity, place them in a shallow tray with other small, safe items like dried pasta or leaves. Let the children in your setting explore the textures and sounds, enhancing their sensory experience.
Pumpkin Composting
To teach the children in your setting about composting, one fun thing to do with your pumpkins is to add them to a compost bin. Let them help you dig a small hole or place the pieces in the compost. It’s a fun way to introduce the concept of recycling and nature.
Pumpkin Bird Feeder
Once you’re done with your wonderfully carved pumpkin, use the hollowed-out pumpkin as a natural bird feeder. Fill it with bird seed and place it in the garden. The children in your setting can help scoop the seeds into the pumpkin and enjoy watching the birds visit.
Pumpkin Soup Making
Involve the children in your setting in making pumpkin soup. They can help with simple tasks like washing the pumpkin pieces, stirring, or adding ingredients. It’s a great way to introduce them to cooking and healthy eating.
Pumpkin Seed Art
Once you’re done using the seeds from your pumpkin in your other activities, you can use them in arts and crafts projects. Place your pumpkin seeds amongst other arts and crafts supplies and encourage the children in your setting to glue them onto paper or card to create wonderful patterns and pictures. It’s a great way to work on fine motor skills.
Pumpkin Seed Shakers
Use the leftover seeds to make musical instruments. For this fantastic musical early years pumpkin activity, place dried pumpkin seeds into small containers (like plastic bottles) and seal them tightly. Let the children shake the bottles and explore the different sounds they make. It’s a fun introduction to rhythm and music.
Pumpkin Texture Painting
Use small leftover pieces of pumpkin as painting tools. Dip the pumpkin chunks in washable paint and let the children stamp them onto paper. The seeds and skin create unique patterns and textures, encouraging creative exploration with a seasonal twist.
Sharing Activities with Parents
Pumpkin waste is a huge part of Halloween every year. With these activities you can reduce the waste in your setting while continuing to celebrate Halloween with your children. Make sure to share your eco-friendly efforts with the parents in your setting. By using a community engagement tool like eyengage you can share your eco-friendly initiatives with all your parents in one go!
To learn more about our eyworks tools, like eyengage, contact us today or email us with any questions you might have.
