More than 65 ideas for all ages! Pre-K thru School-Age! More art/crafts and poems and songs on  Page 2 !

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MAKE TISSUE PAPER JACK-O-LANTERNS

1. For each project, bend a wire coat hanger into a circular shape. You could also have each child bring a pre-shaped hanger from home.

2. Lay the hangers on a large sheet of orange tissue paper. Trace the hanger with glue--so that the glue runs onto the tissue paper.

3. Top each hanger with a second sheet of tissue paper. Allow the glue to dry and then use scissor to remove the excess paper--creating an orange circle.
Have children use paper scraps, markers, scissors and glue to add facial features to their Jack-o-lanterns.

4. Last, wrap the hooks of the hangers with green crepe paper streamers, securing the paper with tape to create a stem.

You can make smaller jack-o-lanterns by shaping a smaller circle and hook out of sturdy wire.

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HALLOWEEN TEA LIGHTS/Votive Candles #1

Material:
Tissue paper or streamers in Halloween colors
Scissors
Liquid starch
Small galss jar
Paintbrushes

Tear the tissue paper/streamers into tiny pieces.
Paint the liquid starch onto the jar; arrange pieces of paper so they completely cover the jar.
Add another coat of liquid starch on top.
Place the jar on something such as aluminum foil to dry.
Drop in a votive candle and let the mood-lighting begin!

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  VOTIVE CANDLES #2

 

Materials:
Baby food jars or jam jars, Scraps of tissue paper, Diluted paste or glue, Votive candles

Clean the jars well and let dry. You can use small jars...but check the size of the votive candle to make sure it will fit. Have the children  brush glue onto the jar and place different colors of tissue paper over the glue, overlapping so the entire jar is covered on the outside. When brushing the tissue with glue be sure to do so gently so it doesn't tear. If it tear, remove or leave wrinkled. The glue will appear to be white but will dry clear and when a candle is lit inside will give off a pretty color and design.

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TEA LIGHTS #3

Materials:
Canning jar, baby food jar or drinking glass
Orange and Black Paint (acrylic enamel or glass paint)
Sea Sponge, Votive or tea light candle, Paint Brush

1. Using the sea sponge, paint the jar by patting orange paint over the entire outside surface. A regular sponge will work but the effect will not be the same as the sea sponge.
2. Allow paint to dry; be sure to follow paint the manufacturer's instructions- if heat setting the paint is required.
3. Practice drawing a few faces on paper until you create a design you like and then  paint a face on the jar with black paint 4. Insert a tea light or votive candle into the glass jar or glass.

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  SCARY WITCHES HANDS/FINGERS

POPCORN GHOSTS
Material: cardboard ghost shapes, popped popcorn, glue with small container from which to dip popcorn, hole punch, string or thread, black construction paper eyes and mouth shapes

1. Cut shapes of ghosts from cardboard. Cereal box cardboard works well.
2. Make a hole at the top of the ghost. Put string or yarn in the hole for hanging.
3. have kids dip each piece of popped corn in glue and stick onto one of the ghost-shape sides. Completely cover the cardboard.
4. When the glue is dry, cover the other side of the cardboard.
5. Cut eye and mouth shapes from the black paper and glue on ghost.

Either hang the ghosts from the ceiling or bring in a small branch from outside. These would make great ornaments for a Halloween tree!

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MAKE BONEY KNOCKER HANGINGS

First make Play Clay (Recipes from Play Dough Category)

3/4 cp salt (175ml)
3/3 cup water (175 ml)
1 tsp. (ml) vegetable oil
2 cups (500 ml) flour
Large mixing bowl
1. Mix the salt, water, and vegetable oil in bowl.
2. Add the flour a little at a time--amd mix until it forms a ball.
3. Knead the ball of dough for about 10 minutes,
4. Store the clay in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

TO MAKE...

 

Materials: Play clay, drinking straws, pencils, paintbrushes, black and white acrylic paint, black shoe laces or elasticized thread

1. Work on a flour-dusted work surface a handful of clay for each child.
2. Knead the clay until it is warm and pliable.
3. Roll the clay into 3/4" (2cm) thick tubes--and then divide them into small bone sized pieces.
4. Shape the pieces to look like bones by rolling the middle to be thinned than the ends of the piece.
5. Press a pencil into each end of the roll to form indentations (see image)
6. Use a spatula to place the bones on a cookie sheet for drying.
7. Push a straw top into one end of the bone and pull it out to make a hole for threading the string through.
8. Allow 48 hours to dry--and then paint the dry bones with a light coat of white-gray acrylic paint.
9. Thread black string through the bones.. Tie each bone in place to form a string of bones to hang from a door or ceiling. (Image -but not project-from Todaysparent)

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MAKE A SHRUNKEN APPLE HEAD

 • Choose the largest, firmest apples you can find. The apples shrink a lot when they dry so you want to be sure that they are big enough to begin with. Firm apples will be easier to carve and will dry out much better.

 

• The first step in making your shrunken apple heads is to peel the apples. You can core them if you would like, although it is not necessary. Next, brush a mixture of lemon juice and salt onto the peeled apple. The lemon juice and salt mixture will help to keeping the apples from turning as brown as usually when they dry.

• Next, you will want to take a paring knife and carve out the basic features of a face from one side of the apple. Don't go into too much detail since when the apple dries any small details will be lost. Focus on creating large features like the eye sockets, a nose and a mouth. Example: To make a shrunken apple for a witch's head you would most likely carve a large nose, two deep holes for the eye sockets and a sneering hole for the mouth. Keep the shapes that you carve simple and larger than you think you need them to be since they will shrink as they dry.

  • Place the carved apples somewhere dry and out of the way. Turn them every couple of days in within about 2 weeks they will have shriveled up into ghoulish little faces. You can speed up the drying time if you would like by setting them on a cookie sheet in the oven on the lowest setting or by using a food dehydrator, although it will still take some time for them to dry and shrivel.

• YOU CAN MAKE A BODY by putting the heads on small bottles (shampoo, dish soap etc.) Make a dress out of a piece of fabric. You can even use a small paper clip to make glasses.

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EGG CARTON SPIDERS
Materials:
Cardboard egg carton
Pipe cleaners
Poster paint
Elastic thread
Something to poke small holes

1. Cut the egg cups out of a cardboard egg carton.
2. Cut pipe cleaners into 3 inch sections.
3. To make each spider, poke four pipe cleaners through each cup sideways. Bend the ends to look like eight spider legs.
4. Paint the spiders black or in any  creative way you want!
5. After the paint has dried, attach a length of elastic thread to the middle of each spider.
6. Hold the thread and bounce the spider up and down as you take it for a walk!

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COFFEE FILTER PUMPKINS
 
Using white coffee filters and a eye dropper...take red and yellow food coloring. Drop on the two colors to make orange.
For jack-o-lantern features, older children can cut and paste construction paper eyes, nose, mouth.
For young children, add features using permanent marker before they begin.

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BLOW ART MONSTERS
Sqirt of paint on a plain piece of black (optional) paper.
Cut a fat straw in half and have kids blow the paint. It will cause the paint to spread. Most will be roundish formations with pointy and squiggled edges.
After the paint dries, glue or paint on eyes and facial features.
Add other decoration of choice.

MONSTER BLOW ART will be similar to this image taken from the Art Category. (Contributed by Mona Kawra at Display Photos)-- however, add details to look more 'monsterish'... 

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WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE... by Maurice Sendak
Good for Halloween Time! Read the book...discuss it...and then challenge  children to come up with their own "Wild Things" Magical Monsters.

Put put a variety of paper plates, strips of paper, construction paper, markers, paints, yarn, Easter grass, Egg Carton bumps, etc. Let the fun begin!

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GHOST POPS

All you need is tootsie or blow pops, Kleenex, orange or purple colored yarn and a black marker.
Take your sucker and put a Kleenex over it.
Next tie the yarn on the sucker and make a face using the black marker. You're done.

This craft has been made by most every child at one time or another. You can take it up a notch by making it A GHOST TREAT NECKLACE! Just cut the yarn longer and wear..

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TINY PUMPKINS
Supplies: Acorns, orange paint and green paint
 
Lay acorns on a sheet of newspaper.
Paint the bottom of the acorns with orange paint.
Let orange paint dry. To make pumpkin stems, paint the top of the acorns green.
Allow to dry thoroughly.
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CONDENSED MILK FINGER PAINT PUMPKINS
Materials:
Fingerpaint paper, orange food coloring, condensed milk

Draw a pumpkin shape on fingerpaint paper.
Mix the orange food coloring with the condensed milk.
Have children get creative and finger paint the pumpkin on their paper.
The finished results of this is great. The condensed mild gies the paint a shiny texture.
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SPOOKY SPIDERS
Supplies: black construction paper, cotton balls or cotton stuffing, black pipe cleaners, small bowl or saucer, stapler
Directions:
Using black construction paper, trace around a small bowl or saucer. (Cut out two circles per spider.)
Place stuffing or cotton balls on first circle.
Lay second circle on top of cotton stuffing and staple half-way around.
Insert 3-4" pipe cleaners on each side, then staple the second half of the circles together.
Bend pipe cleaners to make the "legs" of the spider.

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PLASTIC BAG GHOSTS

Materials:
White plastic trash bags
Black marker
Balloons
String
Scissors
Masking tape
Directions:
Blow up/inflate the balloons and cover each one with a trash bag. With the string, gather and tie each bag under the balloon to make a head. Using  markers, draw a spooky face on the trash bag. Be  creative and make your face scary or funny! 

Attach a piece of string to the top of your ghosts and display them  around your program room, yard or house. You can also use helium to have them 'float'.

 

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GLOWING GHOSTS
Materials:
Round, white balloons, cheesecloth cut to lengths of about a yard, and glow sticks. This sample used green, 4-inch glow sticks, found in party supply stores or on-line.

1. Activate a glow stick and insert it into a balloon.

2. Position the knot at the top of the balloon, and use an indelible black marker to draw the eyes and a mouth.

3. Drape the cheesecloth over the balloon, cut a small hole and push the knot through the fabric. Secure with string and hang in the breeze. Source: Readers Digest

YOU COULD ALSO... tie small glow sticks to string attached to helium balloons and let them sail over your house for spooky lights in the sky. Make sure to tie off the strings to something solid so they don 't get away!

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MAKE A PUMPKIN PAPER CHAIN
Take a strip of orange construction paper about 3 inches wide
fold into an accordion about 3 inches square.
When all folded-- cut the shape of a pumpkin leaving the side with the fold NOT cut.
When you open you will have a chain of pumpkins.

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MAKING 'TREAT BAGS' for a party goodies...
Supplies: Small brown paper bags, Halloween stickers, markers, treats (candy, pencils, erasers, bubble gum, etc.)
 
Decorate paper bags in Halloween theme using  art supplies.
Put treats inside bags.
Fold the top of the bag down and tape shut with a Halloween sticker.

#2 Idea...TRICK OR TREAT BAG

All you'll need is 1 white gift bag that is big enough to fit all the collected Halloween goodies. (Check out a dollar store; they usually have them)
Put out an assortment of decorations such as: shapes cut out from orange and black construction paper, markers, stickers, yarn, etc.

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MACARONI SKELETON

• Need: Black construction paper (approximately 6" x 11.5")
• Glue that will dry clear
• Lima beans (head, thorax, hips)
• Short, small macaroni in a tube (spine)
• Thin twisted macaroni (arms, legs)
• Elbow noodles (ribs)
• Small shells (joints)
• Spaghetti (fingers, toes)
• Black permanent marker

Directions:
1. Build a sample skeleton for the children to copy from. Review the key features with them.
2. Guide children to  build their skeleton working from the head down (i.e., head, neck/trunk, ribs, etc.), gluing the macaroni and beans to the paper as they go.
3. When they glue and macaroni has set, have them draw a smile and eyes on the "head".
TIPS:
As preparation for this project, study the human skeleton. Talk about symmetry between the two sides of the body, and how many ribs, fingers and toes we have. (Also good at Halloween!)
Source: Kaboose.com

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Q-TIP SKELETONS
Basic Directions
Materials for each basic project:1 sheet black construction paper, 5 full length Q-tips, 6 Q-tips cut in half, white glue
 
Make a skeleton head
Glue and place Q-tips in the following order...
•Place one whole swab vertically from the neck down (forms spine)
•Five half swabs on either side of the spine make the ribs...
•Two more whole swabs then make the legs, with the other half swabs for the feet.
•Add the other two whole swabs for the arms.

Challenge kids to design their own creative skeletons!
Having the skeletons engaged in movement (As the two images show) make a fun project! Cut off cotton tips and various lengths and create! Images Sources: crafts-for-all-seasons and busybeekids

 

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CHEESE CLOTH GHOST
Material:
Cheese cloth
Liqid starch... or... 2 cups white glue (I personally prefer the starch-Barb)
16 oz plastic cups
 
1. If using glue, dilute the white glue with 1/2 to 3/4 cups of water. (You should use about 3 parts glue to one part water) If using liquid starch-just use as is and dip. 
2. Have children dip a piece of cheese cloth into the liquid starch or diluted glue-- and then drape the wet cheese cloth over the 16 oz cups. 
3. The "ghosts" should dry for about two days.
4. Carefully remove the cup from the hardened cheese cloth. Children can decorate their ghosts. 
5. Hang the completed ghosts from the ceiling.

You can also make larger versions by draping cheesse cloth over a blown-up balloon. When dry--carefully pull cloth of off balloon and glue on eyes. Slip a string through the top and float from the ceiling!
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PUFFY PAINT COBWEBS

Mix equal parts of flour, salt, and water in a large bowl. 

Pour the mixture into squeeze bottles.

Give each child a black paper plate or a piece of black construction paper. 

Have children squeeze the white puffy paint onto the black paper. 

There are also three other puffy paint recipes in the Painting Recipes Category!

When the paint dries, it will look like glittery cobwebs. You can add a plastic or black pom-pom spider to the art.

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SPOOKY SPIDERWEB MARBLE PAINTING...Nice to hang and display...
 
1.  Give children BLACK construction paper and WHITE thick tempera paint in shallow dishes.
2.  Put paper in a box with sides at least 2" high.
3. Either put a small puddle of paint in the center and corners of the paper and drop a marble or two in the box...OR dip a marble in the the dish of white paint and use a spoon to scoop it out and onto the paper.
3. Hold the box tilting it gently back and forth as the marble moves across. If using the 'dipping the marble method' and there is no more paint, dip the marble again.
4. Continue until children see a white spider web!

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HALLOWEEN/AUTUMN CANDLE HOLDERS...

 Anchor pillar candles in a bed of candy corn or black and orange jelly beans for seasonal touches. Mix in with fall follage, ghourds and pumpkins! This can also be done on a smaller level using baby food jar and tea lights. Set the tea lights on a bed of candy corn.

You can also place small votive candle holders in larger holders. Next  fill the outer votives with freshly squeezed BLOOD (2 teaspoons corn syrup mixed with 3 teaspoons water and several drops red food coloring). Center smaller votives in this...

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HALLOWEEN OPEN ART TABLE
Just set out Halloween themed materials, and see what the kids come up with!

Choose from:
Black, orange, and yellow construction paper, cardboard pumpkin-pattern templates, pieces of foam/felt, markers, glitter, seasonal stickers, yarn, large and small paper plates, crafts sticks, thick orange, black, and white tempera paint in shallow dishes, shallow boxes and lids, orange and black pom-poms, pasta shapes, scissors, and glue, etc. Nature treasures from outdoors could also be provided--such as straw, twigs, and seeds.

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HAUNTED GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Who says gingerbread houses are only for Christmas?
 
Ingredients: Graham crackers, store bought or homemade frosting (try to find orange and black or pre-dye), Halloween candy and sprinkles (candy corn, black licorice, orange, purple and black variety) Make bats, ghosts, tombstones, and other ghouls out of icing, fondant, or gum paste.

 

Build your gingerbread house cute or spooky. Anything that's a little off-kilter or asymmetrical works great!

PUTTING THE HOUSE TOGETHER...
Help kids assemble their house using frosting to glue the graham crackers together into a house. Do this by placing one graham cracker flat on the table, squeeze a little frosting around all edges. (You may need an extra pair of hands.)
Place one cracker on each side standing up. It now looks like a box without a top.

Carefully squeeze more frosting on all outside corners from top to bottom and around the bottom of the box. Let it stand for a short while to let frosting harden a little. This will make working with the roof a little easier.
 
Now squeeze frosting on two of the top edges of the box and place the last two graham crackers in a V shape on as the roof. It looks like a triangle on a box now from the side. It may overhang if you can get the frosting to hold for you.
Squeeze frosting along the top of the roof where crackers join. Let stand again until frosting hardens a little.

Squeeze/put small amounts or frosting on candy. Place candy on the house to decorate. You can use the frosting to add things like doors and windows. Just use your imagination.
Embellish with Halloween craft items.
Image by "EdibleArt" on Flickr.com

AN EASIER GINGERBREAD HOUSE...

Need: Single serving milk cartons, empty and washed
White frosting/icing store bought or recipe
Graham Cracker Squares
Decorations, candies, sprinkles or other Halloween treats
 
Prepare white icing/frosting if you are not using store bought.
Each person should have their own single serving milk carton.
Place your carton on a sheet of waxed paper on top of heavy cardboard or a paper plate.
Attach graham cracker squares to sides of carton by spreading icing/frosting on carton and pressing cracker firmly onto carton.

Do the same for the roof using two graham cracker squares. For area between sides and roof - cut a graham cracker in half on diagonal to form a triangle and attach the same way.

Once you have your sides and roof attached use icing/frosting to attach decorations and candies to your house. You can pipe icing/frosting into the cracks with a cake decorator or with a plastic bag filled with icing/frosting.

Use your imagination to create windows and doors with different shaped and colored candies. Add other elements as you wish.

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GHOST DECORATIONS
Materials:
White paper napkins or tissues
Yarn or string
Black paper or a black felt-tip pen
Glue

1. Start with the ghost's head, by making a ball with one napkin or tissue.
2. Place the ball in the center of an opened-out napkin tissue, and then close your hand tightly around the "head".
3. Tie a piece of yarn around the napkin / tissue under the "head". Be sure that the length of yarn is long enough to hang the ghost.
4) To make the eyes, cut out 2 small triangles of black paper and glue them on the ghosts head or  draw them with the felt-tip pen) to make the eyes. You can also add a mouth and a nose...
5. Hang the small ghosts around the room.

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FOOTPRINT GHOST (Feet in Paint)
Materials: black construction paper,  black marker, white poster paint, a large ice cream bucket lid or flat container, sponge paintbrush, and  bare FEET!

1. To make the footprint ghost, put a piece of dark paper down on the floor. Spread white paint in a thin layer on the ice cream lid or flat container.
2. Have children put their foot in it. Make sure the entire bottom of their foot is covered in paint.

3. Use the sponge paintbrush to spread more paint on the child's foot if you need to.
Have  child step on the dark paper. Again, make sure that the entire foot makes a mark on the paper.
4. After paint dries, have kids put two eyes and a mouth on the ghost with a black marker.

If you fold the construction paper in half beforehand, you can make wonderful
Halloween cards...

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FOOTPRINT BATS
 Material:
Construction paper in Halloween 'bat' colors

Trace child's foot on three pieces of paper the same color.
Cut them out.
With one footprint, cut off the toes in a curved shape.
Next glue the other two footprints on each side of the footprint with no toes.
When dry--glue two googly eyes or white paper circles (eyes) on the bats head.
To hang bats up, either use clothespins or glue magnets on the back and display them on a refrigerator.

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FOOTPRINT WITCHES

Trace and cut feet out of black paper. The toes are the bottom of the witches dress and the heel is the head. Glue this to a sheet of construction paper for the background.
Glue on Q-tips for arm and legs.
Draw a face... and add a pointed witch's hat.

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HALLOWEEN PAINTED HANDPRINTS
Create Halloween art projects that parents can keep to remember their child's little hands!

HANDPRINT GHOSTS
Paint child's hand with white tempera paint.
Have
child place their hand (with fingers close together and pointing down) on a sheet of black paper. Do this once or several times to have scary ghosts floating through the air. When  paint dries, add eyes and a mouth using black permanent marker, google eyes or bits of black paper.

HANDPRINT BAT
Paint both hands black with washable paint.  Have child put their thumbs together with the fingers spread out. Carefully place them on the paper. (For a younger child you may want to do one hand at a time.)

HANDPRINT SPIDER
1. Have children make a fist. Paint the palm side of the fist paint black and have child stamp their painted fist onto a piece of white paper.
2. Open the fist up. Paint all the fingers black but NOT the thumbs!
3. To make the legs--have child put their finger prints on either side of the fist print.

Variation: Paint the spiders individually; laminate them or make them using fun foam. Cut out the spiders--tape a string to the back-- and hang them from the string.
Idea and image: cereschildcare...

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HANDPRINT SPIDER AND GHOST TOGETHER...

 

Use a full sheet of orange paper.
Paint one white, upside-down handprint for a ghost. When dry-using a black marker-add two black eyes and mouth.

Make two black handprints palm to palm (no thumbs) to make a spider. When the spider is dry-- paint two white dots for eyes. When eys are dry- make two black dots inside the white dots for eyeballs.

Make a black line up to the top of the paper to form a web coming down to the spider.
Optional: Write 'Trick or Treat!'

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COOKIE MONSTERPIECE...

A craft and snack in one!
Have a table set up with plenty of sugar cookies cut out in different Halloween shapes. Put out a variety of frosting, candy corn, chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc. Great for pre-school through grade school. Photo Source: pinchmyself

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Lots more on Page 2 of Art & Crafts!

• Also...be sure to check out Halloween Snacks-many are artsy/crafty!
• Easy Costumes and Make Up
• Halloween Decorating (Check here for fun home craft ideas)
• Decorating a Mad Science Lab
• Purple People Eater Theme
• Halloween Games (More than 60!)
• Autumn/Fall Pumpkin Theme

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 Poems and Songs are towards the bottom of page...

GHOST WIND SOCKS

Materials:
White card stock or poster board
Black permanent marker
Stapler
Glue
White crepe paper streamers, String, yarn, or twine

1. Draw a ghost face on the white poster board using the black marker.
2. Roll the poster board into a tube shape and staple the overlapping ends together securely.
3. Cut long strips out of the crepe streamers. Glue or staple them all around the bottom of the wind sock.
4. Cut a piece of string about 2 1/2 feet long and staple the ends to opposite sides of the top of the wind sock to hang.

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HALLOWEEN NOISE SHAKER (Also makes a great DOORKNOB HANGER)
Materials: For each shaker need two paper plates, dry beans, orange paint, paper scraps, yarn, scissors, glue

1. Paint the back of each plate orange.
2. When paint is dry--create facial features out of paper scraps (black or brown would be good) and glue onto the plate.
3. Around the outer edge of plates, staple them together--leaving an opening at the top. Drop in a handful of beans (enough to make a sound).
4. If desired, insert a green rectangle stem into the top opening and staple the pumpkin closed.
5. With a hold punch. punch a hole on each side or the STEM. Thread and tie the yarn.
6. The jack-o-lantern can be hung from a doorknob or used to shake as a musical instrument.

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PAPER PLATE GHOSTS
Materials:
White Paper Plates
White Streamers
Black Marker
Hole Punch
String

•Draw a 'ghost face' on the paper plate. Tape white streamers to the back of the paper plate. Make them long enough so  they look like a ghost. 
•Punch a hole in the top of the plate; tie on string.
•Hang the ghosts from the ceiling, windows or outdoor trees (if not raining).

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BULLETIN BOARD IDEA...

Cut out ghost shapes of different kinds and have children decorate them with scraps of white material, cotton balls, tissue paper, etc.
Paste a picture of each child's face on the ghost and hang them on a bulletin board with the heading: What A "BOOtiful" Class!

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OPEN ART PUMPKIN TABLE...

 Provide each child with a pumpkin. Put out a variety or paints and decorating supplies. Instruct children to be their most creative and personalize their pumpkin! If this is an activity for a party-it can also double as a party favor!

The pumpkins on the chair are  a small portion of pumpkins created by Notre Dame Prep Academy in Pontiac, Mi. They were done as a service project and given to an Assisted Living Home to brighten up the residents' dining room.

The second was created by Bria-age 5-- at an Autumn Birthday party. The last (two pumpkins) was an activity at a school-age program in Conway, S.C. (First two images by KidActivities.net)

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SPAGHETTI COBWEBS 
Materials:
Cold Cooked Spaghetti noodles 
White glue
Wax paper
 
Have children dip spaghetti into the glue and arrange the pieces onto wax paper.
When the spaghetti dries, carefully peel the "cobweb" off of the wax paper. 
Hang from the ceiling or on a window.

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CREATE A MONSTER... Materials: Glue, construction paper, scissors, old magazines (and anything with pictures in it), crayons/markers

Cut out facial features, hair, arms and legs from old magazines, newspapers and/or junk mail. (Have body parts cut out before the project begins. You can do this yourself-or have a 'group-cut' previous to this)

Once all random parts are assembled -- put them out and challenge kids to create their own original Frankenstein.
There should be some pretty interesting creatures with mismatched eyes, three or four legs, or who knows what!
When complete, have children tell you all about the monster they've created! (i've done this with kids--and they really are a fun project to do!)

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PAPER BAG PUMPKIN

 

Directions most often seen...
1. Starting with a lunch size paper bag-- crumble-up some paper and stuff the lunch bag.
2. Tie the top with string leaving about 2 inches of space at top.
3. Paint the bottom portion with orange tempera paint and the top brown (for the stem).
Copy a leaf pattern on green paper, felt or foam -- cut it out--glue or staple it to base of stem.

Optional but nice: Wrap green or brown pipe cleaners around the pumpkin stem for vines. (Give the pipe cleaner vine a curly look by spiraling it around a pencil and then twisting it onto the stem. You can make a jack-o-lantern by painting or drawing a face on your orange paper bag.

Tip:
I prefer to make these by first painting the paper bag orange. Have the kids open the bag  and place it on their hand (like a puppet) They will be able to then paint all sides. 
Leave the top 1- to 2-inches of the bag brown.
While you are waiting for the paint to dry, cut a couple of leaf shapes out of green felt, craft foam, or construction paper...and proceed from there. (Barb)
Images: Thanks to About.com  (image with pipe cleaner vines) and Kaboose

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JACK-O-LANTERN ORANGES
Materials:
Oranges
Whole Cloves
Toothpicks-or something to poke holes in the oranges

After poking a hole with a needle, fork, or tooth pick, insert cloves into oranges in a decorative jack-o-lantern face pattern.

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A NOT TOO SCARY HALLOWEEN YARN GHOST 

 

This guy is from the Craft Category of Yarn Dolls. Directions for making the "head" is there....After you've made the head--stop! Just trim the bottom loops and add google eyes and a spooky plastic spider!

 

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STYROFOAM SPIDERS
Materials:
1 Styrofoam Ball
1 Large Black Pom-pom
4 to 8 Black Pipe Cleaners
2 Googley Eyes
Black Acrylic Paint
Paintbrush
Glue or glue gun
Scissors

1. Paint the Styrofoam ball black. 
2. Once dry, glue on the black pom-pom to one side of the ball. This is the head of the spider.
3. Glue the googley eyes to the black pom-pom.
4. To make legs--insert the black pipe cleaners into the Styrofoam ball.
5. For long legs use 8 full-length pipe cleaners and bend into shape. For shorter legs, take 4 pipe cleaners and cut in half; use these half sized pieces to form the legs. (Image by KidActivities.net)

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TISSUE TUBE SPIDER STAMPING
Take an empty toilet or paper cardboard roll.
For the spider's legs, cut eight parts, Make them even in width. Go up high enough to bend the legs up.
Holding the top, dip it in black paint and make a spider.
Use google eyes to finish.

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REAL PUMPKIN STAMPING!
Buy several small, real pumpkins. 
Cut them in half. 
Have children dip the pumpkin halves into paint to make prints.

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HALLOWEEN COOKIE CUTTER PRINTS
Buy an assortment of halloween cookie cutters. 
Dip cookie cutters into paint and press them onto paper. 
This makes really cool prints!

Also remember to pull out the Halloween cookie cutters when playing with play dough this month! See 'Pumpkin Theme' for directions on making 'Pumpkin Pie Scented' play dough. (Recipe in middle of page)

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GHOST PENCIL TOPPER
Materials: Pencils-preferable black, Halloween themed, orange or white black
White tissue
Fine tip black marker
rubber bands

Crumple two or more tissues to form a ball.
Place the ball (the ghost head) on top of the pencil. Use a double layer of flat tissue to put over the ball (the body) and the pencil.
Wrap a rubber band around the base of the ball and the flat tissue.
Draw a face on the tissue with black marker.

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HALLOWEEN JAR
Materials:
Clean baby food or small jam jar with leak proof screw top lid; corn syrup
Small Halloween craft items such as: plastic spiders, insects, witches, ghosts, etc.; Halloween confetti with bat, spider and pumpkin shapes
Marbles, glass stones or small pebbles
Optional: Silicone caulking

1. Add a layer of marbles to the bottom of the jar.

2. Add a large Halloween figure to the jar. Although it is not necessary, you may want to glue this to the center of the upside down jar lid so that it remains stationary while the other objects float around it. If so, use waterproof silicone caulking (the kind used for fish tanks is excellent) to cement the base of the figure in place. Let dry.

3. Add a selection of Halloween confetti pieces.

4. Pour in clear corn syrup to fill the jar. If you are adding a figure glued to the lid, remember to allow space for this so the syrup doesn't overflow.(Clear Dippity Do Hair gel also gives an interesting effect. It's thick-- so items and gels would be alternately placed in the jar.)

5. Screw on the lid. If desired, you can run a bead of silicone caulking around the lid to secure it permanently. Activate your Halloween scene by shaking or inverting the jar so you can see the confetti and marbles floating slowly around.

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POP BOTTLE GHOST

1. Put white tempera paint inside empty 2-liter soda bottles.
2. Have children roll bottle around until inside is covered in white.
3. Paint on face with black acrylic paint. Let dry completely.
4. Remove cap and let inside dry. Once dry, replace cap.
5. At this point yarn/string can be tied around top of bottle to hang... or left to sit.

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HALLOWEEN BOTTLE

1. Take an empty, clear 20 oz. bottle add orange colored water or have children add red and yellow food coloring if you want to demonstrate how the color orange is made.
2. Add Halloween confetti of bats, moons, witches, ghosts, glitter

If you would like items to move more slowly in the bottle--use a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 corn syrup--instead of all water.

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PAPER PLATE MASKS (Half-face Style)
Spooky or Pretty...whichever kids wish!
 
1. Cut a sturdy paper plate in half.
2. Staple a tongue depressor to the bottom right hand corner.
3. Cut a slot in the middle of the half plate to look through.
Put out a variety of materials for  children to glue onto their mask.
Markers, paint, feathers, yarn, shiny papers, egg carton bumps, buttons, Styrofoam, pieces, etc.

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CONTACT PAPER JACK-O-LANTERN
Cut a pumpkin shape out of contact paper and lay it-sticky side up- on a table.
Have children cover the contact paper with orange tissue paper squares and black paper features.

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COOL WHIP LID AND GROCEY SACK GHOST
Materials:
2 sheer white plastic grocery sacks
2 white pipe cleaners
Cool whip Lid or similar round lid
Scotch Tape
Glue Stick
Black yarn
scissors
Hole Punch

Glue eye and mouth on front of lid.
Cut off any writing, graphics, and handles from the sacks.
Lay sacks down flat. With scissors, shred 2" strips of sacks-- leaving at least 1" area intact next to the seam.

Turn the lid over on a flat surface. Bend and insert the pipe cleaner/seam into the ridge around the bottom 1/2 of the lid. Tape to secure in place.

Repeat with the second sack and stem and insert it in the ridge around the upper 1/2 of the lid.

Punch a hole through the top of the lid.
Thread a length of yarn through the hole appropriate for hanging.

A loop can also be made on the end of a 11/2 ' length, so children can hold and run with them. They 'fly' nicely and kids appear to being chased by a little ghost.

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HAPPY FACE-SCARY FACE STICK PUPPET (Or Stick-Mask)

On orange paper, have children draw a medium size pumpkin-- or trace a pumpkin-face template. Cut-out the shape. On one side design a happy jack-o-lantern face---and on the other side, design a scary or sad-faced jack-o-lantern. Tape the pumpkin face to a large size craft stick.

Talk about what makes the jack-o-lantern happy; what makes the jack-o-lantern sad or scary? If children are young-discuss the pumpkin faces being 'pretend'.

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HALLOWEEN COFFEE CAN BANKS (Use those recycled cans!)

To cover a 10-13 oz. coffee can--cut orange paper rectangles about 5" by 14". Remove the coffee can plastic lids; using tape, wrap the cans with the paper.

Have kids design and cut out jack-o-lantern facial features and stems from scrap paper. Glue the facial features and stem to the can. Using a knife or scissors, cut a coin slot in the lid of the banks.

You can also make smaller banks using frosting/icing containers.

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DANCING GHOSTS
Materials:
White cloth material cut into approximatly 18" x 18" squares
Ping pong or Styrofoam balls
White pipe cleaners or twist ties
Long straws (non-bendable)
Hot glue gun
Black permanent marker

With caution, hot glue a ping pong ball onto the top of a straw.
After glue dries, center the white cloth over the ping pong ball.
Make the ghost's head by twisting a pipe cleaner/tie between the ball and straw. 
Finish off with black marker eyes and mouth.

Hold the straw to make the ghost dance/walk/fly/play.

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A COUPLE IDEAS FROM cereschildcare (SPIDER & WITCH)

PAPER PLATE SPIDERS

(With the letter 'S' or not)

 

Paint a paper plate all black.
Cut 8 strips of black construction paper
Fold the legs accordian style. Younger children fold randomly.
Glue to the back of the plate and add wiggle eyes.
Hang from a black string.
Add A splotch of red to make it look like a black widow. The sample image sponge painted letter "S" for Spider as part of the day's lesson plan.

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PAPER PLATE WITCH

 

Paint a paper plate green.
Trace and cut childs hands on orange construction paper. Glue to the plate for the witch hair.
Add a black witch hat.
Draw on a face.

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SPOOKY GHOST HANDPRINT TREE
On large white paper, draw a black or brown, gnarly tree.
Have each child paint their hand with white paint.
Put the painted hand with fingers pointed down on/from the gnarled branches.
After the 'ghosts' have dried-- have each child to draw a face on their handprint. Makes a great Halloween display!

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MISCELLANEOUS HALLOWEEN FUN!

DOES YOUR SCHOOL FROWN ON COSTUMES AT HALLOWEEN TIME ? CONSIDER FACE PAINTING!
If your school doesn't allow students to wear costumes to school...Consider holding a 'Creative Hat parade" complete with colorful face paint!

Extension: A GREAT HALLOWEEN TIME (OR ANY-TIME IDEA!)
Have children make instruments (See Making Instruments Category)  When complete... start a musical Halloween parade through your neighborhood! This is actually an activity that can take place over a couple days.

1. Make instruments.
2. Practice
3. Have a parade (with costumes if possible) If costumes are not possible, then make funny hats and face paint!

This is a wonderful idea for younger children. The kids love it and the neighbors will, too!

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Make a 'BUBBLING CAULDRON'
Materials: Cauldron, Water, Baking soda, Vinegar, Tablespoon, Cup, Pan or Tray

Place a cauldron on a pan or tray (cauldrons are abundant around Halloween; you can buy them at dollar stores.) Place 2 tbsp. of water in the cauldron and stir in 1 tbsp. of baking soda. In a separate cup, measure 2 tbsp. of vinegar. Pour it in and watch potion bubble!

Science explanation: Vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base. When they combine, it forms carbon dioxide.

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MAKE WITCH'S BREW SLIME

6 spoons glue
6 spoons water
2 spoons Borax
Green food coloring.

Mix to make 'WITCH'S SLIME'...

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HALLOWEEN SONGS and POEMS (See Halloween jokes here...)

PUMPKIN BELLS…
To the tune of Jingle Bells

Dashing through the streets
In our costumes bright and gay...
to each house we go
Laughing all the way.

Halloween is here,
Making spirits bright...
What fun it is to trick-or-treat
And sing Pumpkins carol tonight!

O, Pumpkin bells! Pumpkin bells:
Ringing loud and clear.
Oh what fun Great Pumpkin brings
When Halloween is here!

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IF YOU'RE A MONSTER...
To tune: If you're happy and you know it

If you're a monster and you know it wave your arms
If you're a monster and you know it wave your arms.
If you're a monster and you know then your arms will surely show it.
If you're a monster and you know it wave your arms. 

If you're a monster and you know it show your claws  
If you're a monster and you know it show your claws.  
If you're a monster and you know then your claws will surely show it.
If you're a monster and you know it show your claws.

Continue with:
...Stomp your feet
...Gnash your teeth
...Growl out loud

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THE HALLOWEEN SURPRISE STORY
Dad and I shopped for a pumpkin
To carve for Halloween.
The one we bought was round and fat,
The best we'd ever seen.

We took it home, and carefully
My dad cut off  the top.
We scooped the gloppy seeds all out
Onto paper--plop, plop, plop!

Next, Dad cut out the eyes and mouth,
Then he cut out the nose.
He winked at me and then he said,
"He'll be bald, I suppose."

I laughed and said, "Oh, Daddy,
Jack-o-lanterns' heads are bare.
I've never seen a single one
That had a head of hair!"

Then we took our pumpkin outside
With a candle for its light.
Our jolly jack-o-lantern glowed
So brightly in the night.

Long after I had gone to bed,
Snowflakes began to fall.
They covered up the bushes
And the garden and the wall.

In the morning I ran out to see
If my pumpkin was still there.
I found him sitting on the porch -
But now he had white hair!
Author Unknown

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PUMPKIN SONG
To tune of Found a Peanut

Pick a pumpkin, pick a pumpkin,
Pick a pumpkin just now...
I just now picked a pumpkin
Picked a pumpkin just now.
 
Cut the top off, cut the top off
Cut the top off just now...
I just now cut the top off,
Cut the top off just now.

Scoop the seeds, out, scoop the seeds out,
Scoop the seeeeeds out just now...
I just now scooped the seeds out
Scooped the seeds out ju-ust now.
 
Carved a face in, carved a face in
Carved a face in  just now...
I just now carved a face in it
Carved a face in it just now.
 
Stick a candle in it, stick a candle in it
Stick a candle in it now...
I just now stuck a candle in it
Stuck a candle in it just now.
 
I made a jack-o-latern, I made a jack-o-latern
Made a jck-o-latern just now...
I just now made a jack-ol-lantern
Made a jack-o-latern just now!
(Use appropriate hand motions with each verse)

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THE EIGHT DAYS OF HALLOWEEN
Sing to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas

On the first day of Halloween my true love gave to me:
An Owl in a dead tree

On the second day of Halloween my true love gave to me:
2 trick or treaters and
An Owl in a dead tree

On the third day of Halloween my true love gave to me:
3 ghosts a booing
2 trick or treaters and
An Owl in a dead tree

On the fourth day of Halloween my true love gave to me:
4 shaky skeletons
3 ghosts a booing
2 trick or treaters and
An Owl in a dead tree

On the fifth day of Halloween my true love gave to me:
5 scary spooks!
4 shaky skeletons
3 ghosts a booing
2 trick or treaters and
An Owl in a dead tree

On the sixth day of Halloween my true love gave to me:
6 bats a flying
5 scary spooks!
4 shaky skeletons
3 ghosts a booing
2 trick or treaters and
An Owl in a dead tree

On the seventh day of Halloween my true love gave to me:
7 ghouls a groaning
6 bats a flying
5 scary spooks!
4 shaky skeletons
3 ghosts a booing
2 trick or treaters and
An Owl in a dead tree

On the eighth day of Halloween my true love gave to me:
8 witches cackling
7 ghouls a groaning
6 bats a flying
5 scary spooks!
4 shaky skeletons
3 ghosts a booing
2 trick or treaters and
An Owl in a dead tree...

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THE WITCH SONG
(Sung to tune of Ten Little Indians)

1 little, 2 little, 3 little witches
Fly over haystacks, fly over ditches,
Slide down the moonbeams without any hitches,
Hi, Ho, Halloween's here!

THREE LITTLE WITCHES Version #2

One little, two little, three little witches
Fly over haystacks and fly over ditches
Fly over moonbeams without any hitches
Hey, it's Halloween night.
 
One little, two little, three little witches
Fly over barb wire and tore their britches
Had to go home and get some stitches
Hey, it's Halloween night.

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BATS ARE SLEEPING
Sung to Frere Jacques

Bats are sleeping
Bats are sleeping
Upside down
Upside down...

Waiting for night to come
Waiting for night to come
Then they fly around
Then they fly around.

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FIVE LITTLE GHOSTS FINGER PLAY

The first little ghost floated by the store.
The second little ghost stood outside the door.
 
The third little ghost tried her best to hide.
The fourth little ghost stood by my side.
 
The fifth little ghost near the window sill,
And gave everybody a great big thrill.
The five little ghosts were all my friends,
And that is the way that this story ends.

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THREE LITTLE GHOSTS

Three little ghosts on Halloween night
Saw a witch and freaked in fright.
The witch just laughed and shouted, "Boo!"
One ghost ran home and then there were two.

Two little ghosts who shiver and shook
With every single step they took.
When the door opened wide
A goblin said to the other...
I'm going home and stay with my mother.

One little ghost can't have much fun,
so he ran home, and then there were none.

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LITTLE ORPHANT ANNIE (For school-age)
by James Whitcomb Riley

Little Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay,
An' wash the cups an' saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away,
An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep,
An' make the fire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board an' keep;
An' all us other childern, when the supper-things is done,
We set around the kitchen fire an' has the mostest fun
A-list'nin' to the witch-tales 'at Annie tells about,
An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits you
    Ef you
         Don't
            Watch
                   Out!

Wunst they wuz a little boy wouldn't say his prayers,--
An' when he went to bed at night, away upstairs,
His Mammy heerd him holler, an' his Daddy heerd him bawl,
An' when they turn't the kivvers down, he wuzn't there at all!
An' they seeked him in the rafter-room, an' cubby-hole, an' press,
An' seeked him up the chimbly-flue, an' ever' wheres, I guess;
But all they ever found wuz thist his pants an' roundabout:--
An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you
    Ef you
         Don't
            Watch
                   Out!

An' one time a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin,
An' make fun of ever' one, an' all her blood-an'-kin;
An' wunst, when they was "company," an' ole folks wuz there,
She mocked 'em an' shocked 'em, an' said she didn't care!
An' thist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide,
They wuz two great big Black Things a-standin' by her side,
An' they snatched her through the ceilin' 'fore she knowed what she's about!
An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you
    Ef you
         Don't
            Watch
                   Out!

An' little Orphant Annie says, when the blaze is blue,
An' the lamp-wick sputters, an' the wind goes woo-oo!
An' you hear the crickets quit, an' the moon is gray,
An' the lightnin'-bugs in dew is all squenched away,--
You better mind yer parunts, an' yer teachurs fond an' dear,
An' churish them 'at loves you, an' dry the orphant's tear,
An' help the pore an' needy ones 'at clusters all about,
Er the Gobble-uns'll git you
    Ef you
         Don't
            Watch
                   Out!

NOTE: This is fun if said with a 'southern accent'. I can still remember memorizing this in the 5th grade--and reciting it at a Parents' Day! (Barb)

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There are also several 'Pumpkin Poems and Songs' in the Autumn Pumpkin Theme. (Great for October and November!)

Also be sure to check out HALLOWEEN DECORATING IDEAS! There are artsy/crafty ideas and great ideas for decorating that great Halloween Party!

 

Back to Page one... for Halloween Arts and Crafts

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AUTUMN-FALL PUMPKIN FUN!  Games, Arts and Crafts, Science, Poems/Songs, Centerpieces, Books, and Home Decorating Ideas...

This theme is comprised of Pumpkins (NOT Jack-O-Lanterns) Please visit the 'Halloween pages' if looking for Jack-O-Lanterns and Halloween...Pumpkin Recipes/Snacks are in their own category...

GAMES...

PUMPKIN AND FOOT RACE
Set up starting and finish lines and have the children race to see who can get their smallish pumpkin over the finish line. Only feet can be used to push pumpkins along. There can be no kicking; if any kicking is observed, that child goes back to their starting line. This would also be a good team relay race.

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PUMPKIN ROLLING
Divide  children into two or more teams.
Have a start line and turnaround line, 20 ft apart.
The first child in each line rolls a pumpkin from the start line, to the turn-around line and back.
The next person does the same, etc. The first team to have everyone play wins!

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PUMPKIN & BROOM RACE (Can be played in  outdoors or gym!)

• This is a simple race but since pumpkins are not smooth balls and refuse to roll in straight lines, you'll need plenty of room! You need medium pumpkins and sturdy sticks (or brooms); Use one pumpkin and stick/broom for each team.
• The racers line up on the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides.
• On the signal, the racers use the stick to roll the pumpkins to the finish line.
• Younger players may want to use their hands instead of the stick.
• If you want to play this as teams, make it a relay race.
• When playing inside use smaller pumpkins.

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PASS THE PUMPKIN RELAY
Line up into 2 teams.

• The first person passes the pumpkin OVER his/her head to the next person in line.
• The next person passes the pumpkin UNDER his/her legs to the next person, and so on.
• When you get to the end of the line the last person runs up to the front and starts it all over again. 
• Whoever has the first person that was in line at the beginning of the game--- in the back of the line WINS.

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FIND THE PUMPKIN
Supplies:
   Ten pieces of white paper
   Five pieces of yellow paper
   Five pieces of orange paper
   A crayon
   Scissors
Directions:
1. Draw ten white pumpkins, five yellow pumpkins, and five orange pumpkins. (Or adjust the numbers to reflect the number of your group)
2. Cut out all the pumpkins.
3. Decorate each pumpkin with a funny face.
4. Write the "number 1" on the backs of the white pumpkins.
5. Write the "number 5" on the backs of the yellow pumpkins.
6. Write the "number 10" on the backs of the orange pumpkins.
7. Hide all of the pumpkins.
8. Kids try to find as many pumpkins as they can before the leader says "Stop!"

Players  add up the numbers on their collected pumpkins. The player with the most points wins! This can also be played in teams.

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PUMPKIN BOWLING!
Supplies: 3 small pumpkins, 30 empty 2 liter clear soda bottles (less if your group is smaller!), a bag of gravel or pebbles placed in bottom of bottles

• Ask parents to save empty, clean 2 liter soda bottles for your game.
• Add about a cup of sand or pebbles in each bottle so they will stand without falling over.
• Divide kids into several teams of 3-8 kids each...line up and take turn at bowling!
• The small pumpkins are the bowling balls. If it's for a party- consider prizes.
• The kids that get a Strike receive another turn to bowl a strike. If they  bowl another strike, they receive a prize. When using prizes BE SURE EVERYONE GETS SOMETHING for playing!

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PUMPKIN HUNT – While the kids are out of the room - hide paper or small gourd pumpkins around the room. Challenge kids to find them all! When they have found all pumpkins you can serve a special snack or give each child a ‘goodie’.

_____________________________________

PUMPKIN BOCCE BALL- Object of Game: Roll a pumpkin closest to the big pumpkin. You need a large pumpkin. Also purchase several miniature or round sugar pumpkins. To play: Place the big pumpkin several feet away. Give each player a small pumpkin. Each player rolls (No tossing or throwing) their pumpkin and tries to be the closest to the big pumpkin. The player closest wins ...

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THROW PENNIES IN THE PUMPKIN

Carve out a pumpkin (Do NOT make it a Jack-O-Lantern); line the inside with plastic or aluminum foil.

• Make the top opening large. Option is to use small plastic pumpkins which are quicker and not messy!
• To play the game---place the pumpkins a couple feet away.
• Give each player about ten pennies...and try to get them in!
• Each time one gets in--a point is earned... (You could also use a plastic Halloween pumpkin container)

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PUMPKIN RACE (Like the above Pumpkin Race-- but using sticks instead of brooms)

Can be played in a yard, garage or even inside using small pumpkins!
This is a simple race but since pumpkins are not  smooth balls and refuse to roll in nice straight lines, you will need plenty of room!

You need two large pumpkins and two sturdy sticks.
The racers, line up on the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides.
On the signal, the racers use the stick to roll the pumpkins to the finish line.
Younger players may want to use their hands instead of the stick.
 If you want to play this as teams, make it a relay race.

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CHALLENGE THE KIDS with how many words they can come up with letters in the word 'PUMPKIN' ? This can be an individual challenge, or two or three kids teamed together. 
(Nip, pup, ink, pink, mink, in, pin, kin, pun, nun, pump, up, nip, )

____________

WIN THE PUMPKIN! 

Place children in a circle.
Start some music and pass a mini pumpkin from one person to another.
When the music stops-the person holding the pumpkin is out. 
The last one left keeps the pumpkin!

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RING THE PUMPKIN
Line up three large pumpkins with stems, to form a ring toss.
Use embroidery hoops or make hoops with rope and duct tape.
Mark a throwing line on the floor and take turns trying to ring a pumpkin stem.
Variation: Try to ring an entire large pumpkin with a hula hoop!

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MR. PUMPKIN HEAD
Do you have Mr. Potato Head game pieces???! The kids can have some Fall fun using them with small pumpkins!
Using a smallish to medium sized pumpkin, poke some holes where the eyes, nose and mouth would be (include hat and ears). Have the children decorate "Mr. Pumpkin Head" using Mr. Potato Head pieces.

 

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NOT A GAME BUT WONDERFUL FOR YOUNG KIDS AND THE YOUNG AT HEART! 

 

MAGIC PUMPKIN SEEDS
Materials:
Pumpkin seeds, small paper bag and small pumpkins

• Show the children a small bag of pumpkin seeds and explain that you believe these are magic pumpkin seeds.
• Take the children outside to the playground (or your yard) where they toss the seeds onto the ground. Have them make up a few magic words, if they want.
• The next day, before children go outside--gather the seeds and put small pumpkins in their place.
• Take the children outside and delight them with the 'magical' pumpkins that have grown.
  If you have enough pumpkins, the children can take the pumpkins home and/or first decorate and paint them to add to theme of your space.
  Idea adapted from preschoolrainbow.org

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TRADITIONAL GAMES WITH A TWIST...

1. Instead of Simon Says, play 'THE PUMPKIN SAYS...'

2. Instead of Duck-Duck-Goose---'Play APPLE-APPLE-PUMPKIN'

3. Play 'PASS THE PUMPKIN'  like Hot Potato. Use a tiny pumpkin…

4. Instead of playing Pin the tail on the Donkey---PLAY 'PUT THE STEM ON THE PUMPKIN'

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PARTY GAMES...

FLOATING PUMPKINS

Number the bottom of the small gourds that look like miniature pumpkins and float them in water for the children to choose one for small prizes. 

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PUMPKIN SEED TOSS
Number and line up 5 small baskets or containers; have children stand 3 feet (or farther depending on ages) in front of the first container and toss seeds into them in sequence. Small prizes can be given for each container seeds get in.

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PUMPKIN WALK
This is like a regular cake walk except instead of numbers, place pictures of several fall items on the floor for the children to walk; call out the names of the items instead of numbers. Award the child that lands on the picture of a pumpkin---a small/miniature pumpkin! Use fall themed music such as "Turkey In The Straw" or "Jimmy Cracked Corn".

____________________ 

Idea***Have a PUMPKIN SEED SPITTING CONTEST OUTSIDE! Clean seeds, dry, save and then play...

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SCIENCE...

 

GUESS THE PUMPKIN'S WEIGHT!
Need:
Large pumpkin
Bathroom or science class scale
Slips of paper
Have children write their estimates of the pumpkin's weight on a slip of paper. Kids write their names on the paper, fold them, and place in a box. At the end of the time-frame, weigh the pumpkin and award a prize or the pumpkin to the child with the closest guess.

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GROWING IN A PUMPKIN!
Start this about two weeks before Halloween
Materials:
1 small pumpkin for each child or experiement
Paint
Cotton Batting
Mustard, Watercress or birdseed
Water

Cut the top off the pumpkin and and clean out the seeds.
Paint a face on the pumpkin. (If it is Halloween project--if it is for Fall/Autumn, leave natural) 
Fill the pumpkin with cotton and spray with water.
Sprinkle the seeds on the batting.
Keep the batting moist, and seeds will sprout in about 2 weeks or sooner....just in time for Halloween!

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LEFT-OVER  PUMPKIN SEEDS!

You can quickly make pumpkin seeds in your microwave. The shells are edible --- and a good source of fiber. You can also use this method with other seeds such as acorn squash and butternut squash.

Ingredients:
1 cup pumpkin seeds, 1 Tbsp. Olive oil or butter, Salt, seasoned salt, garlic /onion powder or other seasonings to your choice.

Rinse pumpkin seeds. Remove all the pulp. Drain the seeds and discard the pulp. Spread out on paper towel on a cookie sheet and dry them over-night. Place butter or Olive Oil l in a microwave-safe, baking dish.

Microwave on high about 7 to 8 minutes or until seeds are toasted a light golden color. Be sure to stir every 2 minutes as they are cooking. When done, sprinkle with your choice of seasonings. Coat evenly. Cool them before eating or storing. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 months or refrigerate up to 1 year.

If you like your toasted pumpkin seeds extra-salty, soak them overnight in a solution of 1/4 cup salt to 2 cups of water. Dry an additional day, and follow the above directions.

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DOES A PUMPKIN SINK OR FLOAT?

Fill a large clear storage container or aquarium with water. (If the weather is warm, you can do it outside). Have children make predictions of what will happen and graph the predictions. Do the experiments to determine if they were right or not.

 

Make it interesting and get a few pumpkin sizes.
You may hear predictions that the smaller pumpkins will float and the large will sink. (Pumpkins float)

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PUMPKIN EXPERIMENT
Prepare the experiment by cutting two pie pumpkins in half. (This will give you four halves.)
Place each pumpkin half in a plastic bag that is mostly closed (the environment needs to be moist, yet allow some fresh air to enter).
 
Set one bag in a sunny spot, one in a shady spot, one in the refrigerator, and one in a location of the students' choosing.
Ask kids to predict which pumpkin will grow the most mold over the course of the experiment.

Set aside time each day for students to examine the pumpkin halves and record their observations.
Then ask students: Where is the best place to keep a jack-o-lantern in order to keep it from spoiling?

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 After doing the above---here is a TIP FOR KEEPING THOSE CARVED-OUT PUMPKINS FRESH!

 

Some say that coating the inside of the emptied/carved pumpkin with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) should help preserve and keep the pumpkin from shriveling/getting moldy.

Trying various methods myself--the pumpkins that stayed freshest the longest were those sprayed with "Clorox Cleanup" (or a mixture of bleach and water).

 

Spray the bleach and water inside of the pumpkin daily. Killing off mold spores with a bleach solution helps preserve the pumpkin. If your pumpkin starts to look as if it needs rehydration-- (wilting or caving in)-- fill a large container with cold water and 2 or 3 tablespoons of bleach. Good results should be achieved when soaked overnight.

Pumpkins kept outdoors in very cool weather should last a week without any treatment...

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Cooking and making playdough is also science. Liquid that turn to a solid is science. See the Pumpkin Play Dough recipes in the below 'Arts and Crafts' section of this page.

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PUMPKIN ARTS AND CRAFTS...For Autumn/Fall Season

From Our Little Nature Nest comes this wonderful pumpkin seed mosaic art! Jenn from the site explains it best! She says..."You can use any large seeds like those from a pie pumpkin, or hard squash that you may have from cooking this fall.

Dying them is simple. All you need is dried pumpkin seeds, food coloring, and vinegar. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup water in small cups. Add a TBS of vinegar, and several drops of food coloring to the cups. Allow the dried seeds to soak in the colored water for 2 to 4 hours, then remove them from the water & allow them to dry over night. You then have a colorful, natural, free, craft item. You can make mosaics or necklaces with them. Some will dye a solid color & others will be speckled. Use a nice heavy paper like poster board or card stock to glue the mosaics to."

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PUMPKIN PIE PLAYDOUGH...

 

Ingredients:
5 1/2 cups flour
2 cups salt
8 teaspoons cream of tartar
3/4 cup oil
1 (1 1/12 ounces) container pumpkin pie spice
Orange food coloring (2 parts yellow, 1 part red)
4 cups water

Combine dry ingredients in a non-stick pan.
Add oil, water, food coloring and stir until smooth.
Cook and stir over medium heat until all lumps disappear.
Knead the dough on a floured surface until it's smooth.
Store in an airtight container.
Dough will keep in a plastic bag for about a week...and it smells wonderful!
Image source: Pepperpaints

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NO COOK PUMPKIN PIE PLAY DOUGH
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup water
Mix together and knead until smooth.

RECIPE FOR PUMPKIN PIE SPICE...
Of course you can purchase the spice--but you can also make your own!

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons ground cinnamon and 4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
4 teaspoons ground ginger
3 teaspoons ground allspice
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in air tight container.

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AUTUMN SMELLING 'PUMPKIN VOTIVE'

Cut the top off of a small pumpkin.
Clean and carve the pumpkin.

Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on the inside of the lid and cut a small hole in the top to make a chimney.
Light a votive candle and set inside. Replace the lid.
Results are a pumpkin pie scented votive!

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 PAPER BAG PUMPKINS...

Directions most often seen...
1. Starting with a lunch size paper bag-- crumble-up some paper and stuff the lunch bag.
2. Tie the top with string leaving about 2 inches of space at top.
3. Paint the bottom portion with orange tempera paint and the top brown (for the stem).
Copy a leaf pattern on green paper, felt or foam -- cut it out--glue or staple it to base of stem.

Optional but nice: Wrap green or brown pipe cleaners around the pumpkin stem for vines. (Give the pipe cleaner vine a curly look by spiraling it around a pencil and then twisting it onto the stem. You can make a jack-o-lantern by painting or drawing a face on your orange paper bag.

Tip:
I prefer to make these by first painting the paper bag orange. Have the kids open the bag  and place it on their hand (like a puppet) They will be able to then paint all sides. 
Leave the top 1- to 2-inches of the bag brown.
While you are waiting for the paint to dry, cut a couple of leaf shapes out of green felt, craft foam, or construction paper...and proceed from there. (Barb)
Images: Thanks to About.com  (image with pipe cleaner vines) and Kaboose

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REAL PUMPKIN STAMPING!
Buy several small, real pumpkins. 
Cut them in half. 
Have children dip the pumpkin halves into paint to make prints.

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WHEN YOU'RE COLORING AND CUTTING OUT PUMPKIN ART...To give it some texture...
Peel the paper wrapping off an orange Crayon.
Place a textured item such as plastic bubble wrap or a dish mat UNDER a large piece of white construction paper.
Rub with the side of the crayon over the entire paper to create a pumpkin's bumpy surface. Continue with your project.

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AUTUMN PUMPKIN BALL

 6" Styrofoam Ball
18" Square of Fall Fabric
2 Green Pipe Cleaners
2' Raffia
Rubber Band
Scissors

Use a serrated knife to slice the end off a Styrofoam ball so it will stand flat without rolling.
Wrap the ball with fabric, gathering the ends at the top of the ball. Secure fabric with a rubber  band.
Twist two pipe cleaners together. Wrap it around the rubber banded fabric and twist to keep in place.
Twirl ends around a pencil. Finish off the pumpkin with a raffia bow.

Would be cute grouped together in a bowl on a tray...and...each one only takes about 10 minutes to make! Source: Cindy of Pittsburg PA.

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MAKE A PUMPKIN PAPER CHAIN
Take a strip of orange construction paper about 3 inches wide
fold into an accordion about 3 inches square.
When all folded-- cut the shape of a pumpkin leaving the side with the fold NOT cut.
When you open you will have a chain of pumpkins.

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START WITH A PUMPKIN SEED (ART)

Put out photographs of pumpkin patches at various stages. The children can use this as a guide in their art work! Have the kids then...

1. Glue a pumpkin seed onto paper. (This will be  'underground')
2. Paint an imaginary plant with the roots growing FROM the seed UNDERGROUND.
3.  Paint the leaves, and flowers/fruit of the plant above the ground level.

To go along with the art project!

GROWING  STEPS OF A PUMPKIN...
1. Leafy vines grow from pumpkin seeds.
2. Yellow-orange flowers bloom on the pumpkin vine, then wither.
3. The flowers' ovaries (at the base of the flower) swell and become tiny green pumpkins.
4. The pumpkins grow larger and change color... 
5. In four months after planting, they're ready to harvest.

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 PUMPKIN PATCH FIELD TRIP...

Can you take your kids on a field trip pumpkin patch?

1. Read books about 'Growing Pumpkins' and 'Pumpkin Patches'  before the trip.

2. Have children each pick out a pumpkin to take back. (If budgets are tight-have parents pay for their child's pumpkin) While at the patch--observe how the pumpkin are growing on the vine. Look at variations in color, size, shape, quality and weight!

3. Children can take their pumpkins home--or decorate them with you. Put out paint, yarn for hair, google eyes, and other decorating materials. How creative can they get?!

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PUMPKIN SNACKS & RECIPES...

 

PUMPKIN SUCKER BOUQUET/CENTERPICE

This is a party snack and craft in one...wonderful for a dessert table!

I purchased a Styrofom pumpkin and simply inserted the sucker sticks into the pumpkin. Result is an extremely quick and cute sucker-holder decoration!

This version will take you from early October through November--it's a nice 'Autumn' piece. Using a black 'sharpie,' a Jack-O-Lantern face could also be painted on it for Halloween! (Image by KidActivities.net)

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Yikes! There are so many easy Pumpkin Snacks and Recipes, that they are now in their own category!  Be sure to visit it to complete your theme...(There is also a link at page bottom and top)

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 PUMPKIN POEMS & SONGS...

PETER, PETER, PUMPKIN EATER

Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater
Had a wife and couldn't keep her...

Put her in a pumpkin shell
And there he kept her very well.

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PUMPKIN POEM #1

One day I found two pumpkin seeds.
I planted one and pulled the weeds.

It sprouted roots and a big, long vine.
A pumpkin grew; I called it mine.

The pumpkin was quite round and fat.
(I really am quite proud of that.)

But there is something I'll admit
That has me worried just a bit.

I ate the other seed, you see--
Now will it grow inside of me?

(I am so relieved since I have found
that pumpkins only grow in the ground!)

PUMPKIN POEM #2
When all the cows were sleeping
And the sun had gone to bed,
Up jumped the pumpkin,
And this is what he said:

I'm a dingle dangle pumpkin
With a flippy floppy hat.
I can shake my stem like this,
And shake my vine like that.

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FIVE ORANGE PUMPKINS (Also nice for early math!)
  
Five orange pumpkins rolling down a hill,
Once they started rolling, they couldn't keep still.
One hit a rock and couldn't roll any more,
How many pumpkins left?  Now there are four.

Four orange pumpkins a-rolling and a-bumping,
I hear them clumping, I hear them thumping.
One fell into a hole next to a tree,
How many pumpkins left?  Now there are three.

Three orange pumpkins rolling on the grass,
Watch them tumble and roll so fast.
One rolled until it bumped right against my shoe,
How many pumpkins left?  Now there are two.

Two orange pumpkins still rolling really fast,
Will they ever slow down and stop at last?
One pumpkin hit a tree, its rolling now is done,
How many pumpkins left?  Now there is one.

One last orange pumpkin rolling toward me,
Now it's stopped rolling, look and see.
Now how many pumpkins are rolling in the sun?
Did you guess zero?  You're right, there are none.

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FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS SITTING ON A GATE

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate,
The first one said,
"Oh my, it's getting late."

The second one said,
"But we don't care."

The third one said,
"I see witches in the air."

The fourth one said,
"Let's run, and run, and run."

The fifth one said,
"Get ready for some fun."

Then whoosh went the wind,
and out went the lights,
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

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I'M PULLING A PUMPKIN ON A VINE

I'm pulling on a pumpkin on a vine.
It's so big and fat and fine.
I'm pulling on a pumpkin on a vine.
Snap! It's mine!

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PUMPKIN, PUMPKIN

Pumpkin, Pumpkin,
Sitting on the wall.
Pumpkin, Pumpkin,
Tip and fall.
 
Pumpkin, Pumpkin,
Rolling down the street.
Pumpkin, Pumpkin,
Good to eat!

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PUMPKIN SONG
Tune: Have You Ever Seen A Lassie?

Have you ever seen
A pumpkin, a pumpkin, a pumpkin,
Have you ever seen
A pumpkin that grows on a vine?

A round one, a tall one,
A bumpy one, a squashed one.
Have you ever seen a pumpkin
That grows on a vine?

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MR. PUMPKIN SONG
Tune: Where is Thumbkin

Mr. Pumpkin,
Mr. Pumpkin,
Round and fat,
Round and fat.
Harvest time is coming,
Harvest time is coming.
Yum, yum, yum.
That is that!

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I'M A LITTLE PUMPKIN SONG
To the tune of I'm a Little Teapot

I'm a little pumpkin
Orange and round.
Here is my stem,
There is the ground.

When I get all cut up,
Don't you shout!
Just open me up
And scoop me out!

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TEN LITTLE PUMPKINS
Tune: Ten Little Indians

One little,
Two little,
Three little pumpkins...
 
Four little,
Five little,
Six little pumpkins...

Seven little,
Eight Little,
Nine little pumpkins...

Ten little pumpkins in the
Pumpkin Patch!

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WHERE IS PUMPKIN
Tune: Where is Thumbkin?

Where is Pumpkin?
Where is Pumpkin?
Here it is!
Here it is!
This one has a happy face,
This one has a scary face!
Roll away!
Roll away!

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PUMPKIN FACTS for lesson plans...

• Pumpkins are a fruit not vegtables.
• It takes 3-4 months for a seed to become a pumpkin
• Pumpkins are 90% water.
• 80% of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October.
• Pumpkins range in sizes from less than a pound to over 1,000 pounds.
• Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
• Pumpkin flowers are edible.
• Pumpkin seeds can be roasted for a snack.
• Pumpkins can vary in color from white or green to yellow to orange.
• Pumpkins are an ingredient in pies, breads, soups, and other foods.
• Pumpkins are used as feed for some farm animals
• Carved pumpkins only last about four days but uncut pumpkins, keptin a cool place, remain firm forseveral months.

Pumpkins are believed to have originated in North America. Seeds from related plants have been found in Mexico dating back to 7000 to 5500 B.C.

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A FEW PUMPKIN DECORATING IDEAS! They'd be wonderful the entire Autumn season--from September to November! Many other ideas on Autumn Decorating Page...

YOUR ADDRESS--THE PUMPKIN WAY!

•Select one pumpkin per house number and cut a hole in the top of each.

•Clean pumpkins out--saving the tops--wipe exteriors dry. Center paper stencil number (these are 5 inches tall) on the first pumpkin and adhere with painter's tape.

•With a marker, trace the stencil outline, then carefully carve just outside the line with a small handsaw or heavy-duty craft knife. Repeat for each number.

•Arrange a few tea lights inside each pumpkin, then line up or stack in proper order. Replace top on the highest pumpkin. Illuminate tea lights using a long-handled lighter through the holes.
Source:  sunset.com

THE FAST WAY...You wouldn't be able to insert tea lights--but a similar effect could be achieved by painting on the numbers!

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 PUMPKIN CONTAINER CENTERPIECES...

Thoroughly clean/carve out a small to medium-sized, round pumpkin. Line the interior with tin foil or saran wrap. Place a block of florist's foam inside the scooped pumpkin; place an assortment of harvest-themed artificial berries and flowers, available at arts and crafts stores, into the foam block. Abundantly fill the foam block so that you cannot see the opening of the pumpkin.

This makes a festive Fall and Thanksgiving centerpiece!  As you see, it also makes a nice candle holder.

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PUMPKIN TOPIARY
Materials:
4-inch terra-cotta pot
Styrofoam piece to fit in pot
Wooden dowel or small tree branch
Miniature pumpkin
Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
Dried beans or peas
Raffia

1. Use hot glue to secure the Styrofoam into the pot.

2. Make the "tree." Sharpen the end of the dowel or branch (trimming it to size if necessary). Push it into the bottom of the pumpkin. Push the other end of the dowel into the Styrofoam. Hot-glue the dowel to secure if necessary.

3. Add the finishing touches. Spread dried beans or peas over the top of the Styrofoam, gluing if desired. Using raffia, tie a bow around the dowel just below the pumpkin.

TIPS: you can replace the miniature pumpkins with small gourds. If you want your topiary to last for more than two weeks, use artificial vegetables or fruits.

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FALL FOLIAGE PUMPKIN

 

Nice from October to Thanksgiving! First paint your pumpkin a white/off-white color.

Find different types of leaves, trace the shapes on the pumpkin, and paint. (Source: Better Homes and Gardens --they are many fantastic pumpkin decorating ideas there...a few for fall and several for Halloween)

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Visit the Autumn Decorating and Center Piece page for some wonderful ideas...great for 'September to Thanksgiving'!

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BOOKS ABOUT PUMPKINS & not Jack-O-Lanterns... 
Note: Some books included in this section make reference to Jack-o-Lanterns and/or Halloween. If you do not wish to familiarize your children or students with this holiday, please check the Amazon.com reviews before purchasing any of the following books.

•The Runaway Pumpkin
by Kevin Lewis The Baxter brothers find a wonderful pumpkin for Fall, but first they must catch up with it when it rolls down the hill

•Pumpkin Jack
by Will Hubbell
In the course of one year, a jack-o-lantern, discarded after Halloween, decomposes in the backyard and eventurally grows new pumpkins from its seeds.

•In a Pumpkin Shell: Over 20 Pumpkin Projects for Kids.
by Jennifer Gillis BProvides instructions for a variety of projects involving pumpkins, such as growing them, using them for crafts, and using them in some great recipes.

•It's Pumpkin Time
by Zoe Hall 
A sister and brother plant and tend their own pumpkin patch so they will have jack-o-lanterns for harvest time.

•The Pumpkin Patch
by Margaret McNamara Katy find what she thinks is the perfect pumpkin on a class field trip to a pumpkin patch, but after her classmates tease her about how small it is, it is up to Katy's father to show her how perfect her pumpkin can be. 
 

•Pumpkin Day!
by Nancy Wallace A bunny family picks pumpkins at a local farm and learns pumpkin facts in the process
 
•The Garden That We Grew
by Joan Holub Children plant pumpkin seeds, water and weed the garden patch, watch the pumpkins grow, pick them, and enjoy them in various ways. 
 
•Kids' Pumpkin Projects: Planting & Harvest Fun
by Deanna Cook Provides instructions for fifty projects and activities involving pumpkins, including growing them, using them in recipes, and making things out of them. 
 
•The Pumpkin Book
by Gail Gibbons Describes how pumpkins come in different shapes and sizes, how they grow, and their traditional uses and cultural signigicance. 
 
•From Seed to Pumpkin
by Jan Kottke Illustrates and describes with simple text how a pumpkin seed grows into a plant that

•Apples and Pumpkins (Ages 3-8)
Written by Anne Rockwell; illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell
In simple language, a young girl tells of her family's trip to a farm where they picked apples and pumpkins. The family samples fresh apple cider and returns home to carve the pumpkin into a Jack-o-Lantern, just in time for Halloween.

•It's Pumpkin Time! (Ages 3-7)
Written by Zoe Hall; illustrated by Shari Halpern
This story follows a brother and sister as they plant a tiny seed in the spring and watch it grow into a great big pumpkin by fall. The story ends with the parents helping the children to carve it into a Jack-o-Lantern

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Looking for books about Jack-O-Lanterns and Halloween?  Be sure to check out the Autumn Book List Category--fantastic lists which  include books about Jack-O-Lanterns, Scary, and Halloween!

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Easy Pumpkin Snacks/Recipes- Click Here...

 

 

Planning your Autumn/fall curriculum can be so easy! Base it around  the 'Month of____and Day of _____! Visit Doing the Days: September, October, November  There are activity ideas on the pages of each month!!!

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COLORFUL FALL PUZZLE TREE An easy activity for fall!
We all have puzzles that have missing pieces (such as the 100 piece puzzle that only has 80 pieces left)
Cut out the trunk of a tree with limbs; glue or staple the trunk to a piece of background paper. Pre-paint the puzzle pieces in fall leaf colors (or they may already have a fall look) Glue the puzzle pieces to the branches of the tree.
(Also good for spring)

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CLAY LEAF PRINTS
Use a rolling pin to flatten clay or DRYING TYPE dough. Lay a leaf on the clay & roll over it. Remove the leaf & let the clay dry. Paint the clay with fall colors of tempera.
"Air dry and bake recipes" are on this site in the Play Dough Thread!

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LEAF MOBILE IDEAS:

Glue colorful and different fabrics to both sides of several pieces of heavy paper. Cut out leaves from this. Tie a string on each leaf. Suspend the leaves from a small branch. Hang them where they might catch a breeze.

You can also make the mobile with leaves cut out of construction paper or found outdoors. Preserving the leaves in the glycerin mixture found in the Fall Nature Category would make the leaves look fresh for quite awhile.

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SUN PRINTS with PAPER TAPED TO WINDOW...
MAKE LEAF PRINT ART...

Materials: Colored construction paper (make sure you use paper that will fade), leaves gathered from yard, glue stick, masking tape
Optional: picture frames.

1. Dab a bit of glue onto the back of a leaf, and attach to a piece of construction paper
(If you are going to frame--you can pre-trim the paper to fit a 5"x7" frame--frames can be made from foam, cardboard or card-stock).

2. Tape the paper to a sunny window, with the leaf facing out. Leave up for THREE TO FOUR days, or UNTIL YOU NOTICE that the paper's color has faded. (Some directions say a week or longer--I think this time estimate would be more accurate--you'll know by the fading)

3. Remove from the window and gently peel the leaf off to reveal the print. Frame and hang.
This version from Parents Magazine, August 2005

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FUNNY FACED GOURD
Use acrylic paints to make a face on a gourd. The gourds naturally have characteristics that create a funny face

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CORNSTARCH IMPRESSIONS
Materials: Cornstarch, baking soda, water, saucepan, waxed paper, and nature objects such as leaves, twigs and flowers...

• In a saucepan, mix together 1 cup cornstarch, 2 cups baking soda, and 1 1/4 cups water. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens. Cool, and then flatten mixture between sheets of waxed paper.
• Have the children lay leaves, twigs, flowers or other nature objects on top of the cornstarch mixture and press them down firmly.
• Have them remove the objects to see the detailed impressions they made.

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WINDOW PAINTING
Paint a fall/harvest scene on your window. Use the following recipe and the paint is easily removed. Give each child (Or group of children) a window to decorate.

• Window Paint: 2 Tbsp powdered tempera paint, 1 Tbsp warm water, 1 tsp Joy dish washing liquid Measure powdered paint into a container.
• Mix in water thoroughly to achieve a smooth paste. Add JOY, mixing completely, but gently, to avoid making paint too sudsy.
•  Dries on windows in 5 - 10 minutes. Washes off easily with a solution of water and vinegar.

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TOOTHPICK TREE
Have the children make a tree by gluing toothpicks on a piece of paper. Use a sponge and fall colors of red, orange and yellow tempera paint...add leaves to the top of the tree.

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AUTUMN NECKLACES Collect fall seeds and beans (even a milkweed pod or  two) and string them into necklaces. This necklace is made from colored pumpkin seeds

Materials:
Assorted seeds, beans, corn, bowl of hot water, colander, heavy thread, embroidery needle

• The first step is to soften up the "beads" by soaking them in water. If you're using Indian corn kernels or dried beans (black and kidney beans work well), soak them overnight.
• For seeds--try sunflower, pumpkin, squash and watermelon--first rinse, then soak them in hot water for about 15 minutes or until soft enough to poke a needle through the center. Drain and pat dry.
• Double-thread the needle to the needed length of children’s necklaces (big enough to fit over their heads), then knot the ends together, leaving a tail.
• Children can string the seeds and beans onto the thread.
• Leave enough room to tie the end of the thread to the tail.
• Let necklace dry in a sunny spot for a day or two.

NOTE: Directions for Pumpkin coloring seeds are included in the 'Pumpkin Seed Mosaic Art'...it is 3/4 down this page)

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NUTTY WIND CHIME Use fall tree seeds or nuts to make a wind chime.

Color a design on a tissue paper tube. Thread a length of yarn or string through the tube and knot the ends together to create a hanger. Next, wrap and glue one end of a length of ribbon aaround each nut you choose to use. Wrap and glue the opposite end of each ribbon around the cardboard tube. Hang the wind chime one glue completely dries.

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YARN SHAPED LEAVES...
Materials:
Leaves
Thin cardboard
Pencil or pen
Scissors
Tacky glue
Colorful yarn
Adhesive magnet strips

• Trace some leaves onto thin cardboard and cut them out.
• Coat one side of the cardboard with tacky glue and let the glue dry after covering the shape with yarn.
• Attach a strip of adhesive magnet to the back.
• You can also us colored foam (green, red, yellow, orange), that is peel-and-stick. Peel the backing off and "paint" the yarn right to the foam, much easier and neater than glue.
• Cut out the leaf shapes and paste them to background paper.
• You can add heads, arms, and legs. Suggest that children have the leaf people engaged in some activity.

Click here for an entire LEAF/LEAVES THEME...

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 LEAF PEOPLE --Glue a leaf to a sheet of paper and draw features to make them into leaf people and animals... put arms, legs, necks, heads, tails, etc. when complete draw a scene around your leaf person!
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LEAF PEOPLE #2 IDEA
Place your leaves UNDER sheets of white paper. Rub the sides of red, orange and yellow crayons on the paper -- Rub over the leaves until leaf shapes appear.

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LEAVES AND MELTED CRAYONS

• Collect leaves and arrange them on a piece of wax paper.
• Add wax crayon shavings and apply another piece of wax paper on top.
• Iron the wax paper together until crayon shavings have melted.
• Let cool. Trim into desired shapes and hang in windows.

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LEAF BOOKMARK
Materials: construction paper, contact paper, leaves, scissors.
Cut the construction paper into 3x6 inch pieces. Have children collect leaves on a nature walk ---and then arrange the leaves on the contact paper. Put the construction paper over the contact paper and cut around the edges. (See a very pretty leaf bookmark on clear contact paper here...)

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COFFEE FILTER LEAFED TREE

• Take coffee filters and cut them into the shapes of leaves.
• With cups of liquid watercolors in orange, yellow, red, and brown have the children use eye droppers to place watercolors on the filter leaves.
• The colors blend together for wonderful fall leaves.
• Create a tree trunk out of brown wrapping paper or butcher paper. Add leaves to the branches and also at the base of the tree.

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LEAF RUBBING
Have children place a variety of leaves -underside up - under a piece of light colored construction paper. With the sides of crayons that have had the paper covering removed, make crayon rubbing of the leaves. This works better with green leaves. Great way to see the veins and differences in leaves!

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THREE FALL WREATHS

A FALL WELCOME WREATH FOR YOUR ROOM! (Easy)

• Put toilet paper rolls, paint and brushes on a covered table.
• When each child comes to the table; have them paint a TP roll using fall colors of red, orange and yellow. As the children finish, stand the rolls up on their ends--- to dry completely.
• When the rolls are dry, string them on a long piece of yarn and tie.
• Wreaths can be any size!
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  FALL WREATH USING TISSUE PAPER SQUARES
  Cut the centers out of paper plates (save center for another project)
  Have the children glue crumpled red, orange and yellow tissue paper squares covering the entire plate rims. Attach yarn or ribbon loop to hang them!
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  MAKE A FALL NATURE WREATH (A little more work)
  Materials: Paper plates, leaves, pine cones, acorns, bow, brown paint.
  • Go for a nature walk and gather fall leaves, acorns and pine cones.
  • To start the project, cut out the center of the paper plate. Paint the paper plates brown.
  • When the plates are dry, have children glue the items of fall nature. You can use a hot glue gun to glue any loose pieces and the bow.

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FALL FACES...
Cut 4 1/2 inch circles out of construction paper. Collect a variety of fall leaves. Glue the circles on paper and glue some leaves around the circles to make hair. Complete the faces by adding facial features with markers or paint.

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LEAF PLACEMAT

 

Have children glue several different leaves on a light-colored sheet of construction paper. Apply transparent Contact paper onto the leaf side and then the backside of the construction paper. Trim excess contact paper from the ends, and seal all the way around the outer edges with colored tape. (This sample is at PreschoolRock.com)

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ALUMINUM FOIL LEAVES
You need:
Pieces of aluminum foil, leaves, glue, construction paper

• Set out pieces of aluminum foil and a variety of fall leaves.
• Have each child select a leaf, place it under a piece of foil, and gently press and rub the foil with their hand to get a leaf print.
• Have  children glue their leaf prints to the construction paper

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PINECONE OWLS
Need:
Large pinecones
glue
googly eyes
brown and yellow felt or craft foam sheets

 

Find pinecones that are flat enough to stand upright or snip off a small amount from the bottom so that it is flat enough to stand the cone on end.
Cut out circles from the brown felt or foam. The circles should be a little larger than the size of your googly eyes.
Glue the googly eyes onto the circles.
Cut out triangle shaped ears from the brown felt or foam and triangle shaped beaks from the yellow felt or foam.
Glue the eyes, ears and beaks onto the pinecones

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NOT A CRAFT BUT A  WONDERFUL IDEA FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND YOUNG AT HEART!

MAGIC PUMPKIN SEEDS 

Materials: Pumpkin seeds, small paper bag and small pumpkins

• Show the children a small bag of pumpkin seeds and explain that you believe these are magic pumpkin seeds.
• Take the children outside to the playground (or your yard) where they toss the seeds onto the ground. Have them make up a few magic words, if they want.
• The next day, before children go outside--gather the seeds and put small pumpkins in their place.
• Take the children outside and delight them with the 'magical' pumpkins that have grown.
  If you have enough pumpkins, the children can take the pumpkins home and/or first decorate and paint them to add to theme of your space.
  Idea adapted from preschoolrainbow.org

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CORN ART IDEAS!
After eating corn on the cob, save the husks and corncobs, and let them dry. Have the children use them for art activities. You can also purchase feed corn on the cob at the local feed store. 

   • Children roll the corn in paint and then roll or press it onto paper.

   • The ends of these cobs also make pretty flower prints.

   • Hang them and see if families can guess how they were made.

    • When all done with the project--rinse the corn cobs and leave them outside for the squirrels---no waste!

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#2  CORN COLLAGE
Need:
Yellow and green construction paper
Glue
Un-popped popcorn

• Cut a "corn cob" and "husks" out of paper.
•  Glue the "husks" around the "cob".
• Spread the glue on the "cob" and cover it with un-popped popcorn

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#3 AUTUMN CORN WELCOME SIGN...
Materials:
Leaf cutouts
Glue
Dried kernel corn
Write a greeting on a sheet of card-stock such as Happy Autumn...
Have the children glue the corn to form the letters of the words.
Glue leaf cutouts around the rest of the picture for decoration.

If you're looking for a short CORN THEME...check out ideas here!

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 HAND PRINT TREE

• Using colored construction paper (red, orange, brown, green, yellow) trace the child's hand onto several sheets of several colors. Cut out. (Children can also use their painted hand-prints)
• Next cut out a tree trunk with branches in proportion to the amount of leaves.
• Have the child glue the hand shapes to the tree to form the leaves of the tree.
• Consider having children think of things to be thankful for -- and label the leaves.

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From the 5 Minutes for Special Needs website comes this FINGER PRINT TREE...Place child's entire hand and arm in brown paint. Place the painted arm and hand on the art paper to make the trunk and branches. With a variety of colorful finger paints-finger print leaves around and on the entire tree. Add some 'leaves' falling and swirling to the ground!

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STRING OF LEAVES
Make a string of leaves to decorate a room. These simple-to-make strings make a great Fall or Thanksgiving decoration. You can drape the strings across rooms, over windows and from the chandeliers.
Need:
Construction paper (orange, red, yellow, brown, and other earth tones)
Crayons or markers
Scissors
Glue, tape, or staples
A long piece of green or brown yarn or string

• Draw a leaf on a piece of construction paper. Make sure to draw a thick stem on the top (your leaf will hang from this stem, which will be folded over.) It would be a good idea to make a few leaf templates for the children to trace and cut the shapes.
• Cut out the leaf. Draw the leaf veins if you wish.
• Fold the leaf's stem in half.
• Attach the leaf to a long string using tape, glue, or staples. Make more leaves and attach them to the string.
• Hang your string of leaves across the room for a wonderful Fall decoration. Source: KinderCrafts

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                                         From Our Little Nature Nest comes this wonderful pumpkin seed mosaic art! Jenn from the site explains it best! She says...

You can use any large seeds like those from a pie pumpkin, or hard squash that you may have from cooking this fall. Dying them is simple. All you need is dried pumpkin seeds, food coloring, and vinegar. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup water in small cups. Add a TBS of vinegar, and several drops of food coloring to the cups. Allow the dried seeds to soak in the colored water for 2 to 4 hours, then remove them from the water & allow them to dry over night. You then have a colorful, natural, free, craft item. You can make mosaics or necklaces with them. Some will dye a solid color & others will be speckled. Use a nice heavy paper like poster board or card stock to glue the mosaics to.

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***In many parts of the country---there is warm weather for much of the year! If you're one of those fortunate people, check out the Activities for Summer. There are many ideas that you may be able to use!

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  FALL TREE THAT CHANGES WITH THE SEASONS

  • Make the tree trunk by cutting up brown paper bags. Wrinkle the paper and shape it into a tree trunk by stapling it to the bulletin board.

  • If if this is for a mural on a wall -- attach it with lots of tape doubled over. If you want a plain painted tree--the following still is good!

  • FOR FALL... cut out paper apples and staple them on tree branches. Write the children's names on the apples.....And/Or... add tons and tons of leaves with names written on some of them. Add bushels of apples, and pumpkins... If up all year--as you change the tree--also change what is around the tree to go with the season!!! Go from bushels filled with apples, pumpkins, a scarecrow... to snowflakes and snowmen... to a spring scene with kites, butterflies and flowers!

• This can be adapted to ANY SEASON. LEAVE THE TREE SCENE UP ALL YEAR... AND CHANGE IT AS THE MONTHS CHANGE! With a good tree base, you can take your apples and leaves off and have a BARE TREE for winter--add snow flakes, etc.---Then a spring tree and so on. I did one in a school hallway, on a wall space of about 8 feet long; it was wonderful all year! The school loved it! (Barb)

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VISIT THE AUTUMN CENTERPIECES & DECORATING that are good from early October to Thanksgiving... 

 Back to top of page

You may also be interested in the Autumn Leaf/Leaves Theme and/or the Autumn Pumpkin Theme...

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CHOOSE TOYS AND OFFER ACTIVITIES THAT REFLECT A VARIETY OF CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS!

•  Include multi-racial dolls...

•  Pretend play items and art supplies in true-to-life skin tones...

•  Multicultural skin-colored crayons...

•  Multi-Cultural dough...

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ARTS AND CRAFTS

FRIENDSHIP BULLETIN BOARD
Materials: Paint, Paper
Give children in your program peach, white, brown, black, and orange paint (add soap to make it stain proof). Have them mix what they perceive their skin color is. Then have them paint a friend's hand and then put a print on a heart shaped piece of paper. You can put these on a bulletin board with the heading, "Friendship Comes in Many Colors!"

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VISUAL ART – The Islamic religion forbids the use of images of living creatures in art. That’s why much of Muslim graphic art consists of floral themes, geometric figures and Arabic script. See if your group can DRAW A PICTURE USING GEOMETRIC FIGURES and the shapes of letters in artistic ways.

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 If having a Multi-Cultural EVENT...DECORATE WITH MANY COLORS of White, Black and Brown...
Make the classic paper chains using black, white, tan, brown, beige, and yellow construction paper to represent the various skin tones found across our nation.

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TWO IDEAS:

#1 Put some water color paints on a sheet of paper... Have children use water bottles to spray the sheet. Let them watch as all of the colors run and blend together to make something beautiful.

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#2 Paint on wet paper. Get a big sheet of paper completely wet. Dip it right into water in the sink. Then smooth it out on a cookie sheet or plastic tabletop. Brush thick, wet watercolors on top. They blurr and fuzz out on the wet paper, blending together and making wonderful shapes.

After using either method... talk to the children about how everyone is different but they all blend together in work and play to make the world wonderful.

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 DOVE OF UNITY HANDPRINT WREATH
This wreath symbolizes cultural unity. You can adjust the handprint colors for different occasions (for example, you may wish to use handprints in different shades of brown for Black History Month)
Materials:

Paint in various skin-tone colors. If you have brown, yellow, red and white you can mix your own colors.

Children enjoy experimenting with mixing colors. Try these combinations:

• Small amount of red + small amount of yellow + white...
• Brown + white...
• Yellow + small amount of brown...
• Paper, Scissors, Glue

Instructions:

Make between 9 and 12 in various skin tone colors by dipping hand in paint and stamping it on the paper. Let it dry.

To make the DOVE: Trace hands with the thumb extended and 4 fingers close together onto the center of a piece of white paper.

•  Glue on a beak from orange construction paper or draw one on with orange marker.

•  Draw on a wing and an eye with black pencil crayon or marker.

•  Cut out the skin tone hands and glue them together in a circle to form a wreath.

•  Glue the dove onto the back of the wreath (so the wreath acts like a picture frame).

•  Trim the edges of the paper the dove is on. Source: dltk-kids.com

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BLACK AND WHITE COLLAGE
Each person will need one sheet of black construction paper, one sheet of white, one brightly colored sheet, and glue.

• Tear black and white sheets into small pieces (less than 1/2" square).
• Paste the black and white pieces on the brightly colored sheet to create a unique collage.
• Some people may choose to create identifiable objects. Others may create geometric designs or a patterned "quilt."

After all pieces are completed, have children to show their pictures and briefly describe. Note that NEITHER THE BLACK NOR THE WHITE ALONE WOULD HAVE CREATED AN INTERESTING PICTURE, yet the two could be combined into many interesting patterns. In short, they were more productive working as a team.

Discuss the need for teamwork, whether it is in the home, the classroom, the workplace or the community at large. What are some tasks that require group effort?

You might also PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE DIIFERENCES BETWEEN THE PIECES... Point out that just as no two pieces are art are alike, no two people are alike. Each person has a unique purpose in life, and the home, church, community, and society as a whole are benefited when each person finds and fulfills his purpose in life instead of seeking to be "just like" another individual.

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HELP CHILDREN SEE EACH OF US IS UNIQUE!

1.  Use an inkpad to have each member make a thumbprint in the center of a piece of construction paper. Then, use a magnifying glass to examine the thumbprints. How are they alike? How are they different?

2. Next, have everyone use markers to add to and draw around the thumbprints to create unique thumbprint animals.

3. Discuss: Even though we’re all people, (or part of the same family) our fingerprints are different. And, each of us probably thought of and drew a different thumbprint imaginary animal. We don’t look alike or think alike.

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HAPPY HANDSHAKE
Two shades of skin toned construction paper
Brass fastener
Other colors of construction paper

• Trace and cutout one handprint on the skin toned construction paper.
• Cut out rectangles long enough to make "cuffs" for the wrists of the hands - glue on.
• Place the two hands together in a "shake" fashion with one thumb behind the other.
• Attach a brass fastener to the center!

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HANDS OF FRIENDSHIP

1. Have children trace their hands on construction paper using black, white, red, yellow and brown paper to represent various skin tones found across our nation.
 
2. Cut them out.Attach all the hands together using a method that depends on where you are going to put them.
Example:
You can glue or staple hands together in a long chain or swag.
As you are working on the project, you can talk about  each hand representing the diversity in our country/world--or if it is for MLK Day--how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. joined hands with people of all colors when he marched for freedom.

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Menu for Diversity and Multi-Cultural Category

• Diversity Theme Introduction & Menu
• Entire Diversity & Multi Cultural Category (Excluding MLK)
• Diversity Using Arts & Crafts
• Diversity Through Foods and Other Activities
• Diversity through Language and Literacy
• Diversity with Games and School/Program Implemented Ideas
• List of Multi-Cultural Themed Books Listed by Age
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Book List for Black History & MLK
• Black History Month

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