The importance of instilling the concept of...
Pumpkin Science with the Five Senses
Children become scientific investigators as they explore pumpkins inside and out using all five of their senses. The fun doesn't end there though because the leftover pumpkin seeds and pulp are perfect for cooking and sensory activites galore!
Grade, Age Range or Specialized Learner: Multi-age, Preschool/Pre-K, 3-5 year old
Target Learning Skill(s):
- Compare and contrast
- Observation
- Data collection
- Data Analysis
| My Five Senses Chart | 5 Senses Word Wall |
 Preschool Activities: |
 Preschool Activities: |
Print and enlarge the 5 Senses Pictures and Words from the KidsSoup 5 Senses Chart or Word Wall printables. Use the pictures to create a large wall chart to collect children's data. Make several copies of the Five Senses Checklist for children to use to record their findings. Obtain 3 to 5 types of pumpkins.
Preschool Activities:
Preschool Activities:
Choose a pumpkin to start with and provide time for children to experience it with their five senses. Cut the top off of the pumpkin and give children tools, such as scrappers, tongs, and spoons, to remove the pulp and seeds from inside. Provide some magnifying glasses as well. Explain to children that they should pay attention to how the pumpkin looks, feels, smells, and sounds. If you like, cut small pieces of the pumpkin for children to taste.
Preschool Activities:
Sing the The Five Senses Song together while exploring the pumpkin:
(Tune: The Farmer in the Dell)
Oh, I use my eyes to see, I use my eyes to see,
When I want to see inside the pumpkin, I use my eyes to see! (look inside the pumpkin)
Oh, I use my ears to hear, I use my ears to hear,
When I want to hear how the pumpkin sounds, I use my ears to hear! (pound on the pumpkin with hands)
Oh, I use my tongue to taste, I use my tongue to taste, (eat or pretend to eat a piece of a pumpkin)
When I want to know how the pumpkin tastes, I use my tongue to taste!
Oh, I use my nose to smell, I use my nose to smell, (smell the pumpkin and pumpkin seeds)
When I want to know how the pumpkin smells, I use my nose to smell!
Oh, I use my hands to touch, I use my hands to touch, ( touch pumpkin shell with hands)
When I want to feel the pumpkin shell, I use my hands to touch!
Let children record their findings on their Five Senses Checklists.
Preschool Activities:
Then, gather children together and have them reference their checklists to describe how the pumpkin felt, smelled, sounded, looked, and tasted. Write the words they provide in the corresponding column of the wall chart.
Preschool Activities:
Preschool Activities:
Over a few days (depending on how many pumpkins you have), complete the exploration activity for each type of pumpkin and fill in the corresponding columns on the wall chart. Refrigerate the pulp in large baggies to save for cooking activites or sensory tables. Let children use their fingers, tweezers, and tongs to separate out the seeds, which can later be roasted. The pumpkin pulp can be cooked in a slow cooker with some water. Once it cools, children can put on food service gloves, remove the peel, and mash the pumpkin into a puree to use with bread or pie receipes.
Submitted by KidsSoup member Beth Steward
Dig in to this Pulpy Pumpkin Sensory Bin from Childhood Beckons or make these Pumpkin I Spy Bags from The Golden Gleam.
Preschool Activities:
Preschool Activities:
We loved the pumpkin seeds exploration, fine motor skills, and artwork activity from teachpreschool.org.
Preschool Activities:
View all our The Five Senses crafts, activities, and games for preschool and kindergarten
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