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’.

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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, )

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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".

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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...

 

Games, Art and Crafts, Science, Snacks/Recipes, Poems /Songs, Book List...all with a Leaf Theme!

Updated September, 2012

GAMES...

LEAF BLOW GAME
Have a leaf race! In this, the children blow a leaf across a table with a straw. The first one across is the winner...

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LEAF, LEAF, PINECONE
The Leaf, Leaf, Pinecone is a version of the classic "Duck, Duck, Goose" with a nature-friendly twist.
This game is best played out-doors, but you can also gather pinecones and play this traditional game inside on a rainy day.

Whoever is "it" must not only touch the heads of the other players, saying, "Leaf, leaf, leaf," but must also drop a fresh pinecone in the lap of the child they choose before running back around the circle without being tagged. The person trying to tag "it" can touch "it" with a hand above the waist or with the pinecone below the waist

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BEAN BAG 'LEAF BOX' TOSS
Materials: Cardboard box and bean bags...

Depending on the size of your cardboard box, cut One to large leaf shapes into the cardboard.
Paint the cardboard colors of fall--yellow, red, orange, gold...
to play--children throw bean bags through the leaf shaped holes.

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PARACHUTE LEAF TOSS (For younger children)
Take a sheet, or a parachute. Gather real leaves, fabric leaves, or paper leaves. Place them in the middle of the sheet. Gather around the sheet and have the children lift the sheet slowly and then quickly to see how all the leaves "float".

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Large-sized AUTUMN OR SPRING TIC-TAC TOE

Take a large piece of poster board and draw the tic-tac-toe lines on it; laminate it if possible.
Cut-two different leaf shapes; then simply play tic-tac-toe.

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HIDE THE LEAF AND SEEK...

1. While children are out of the room (or if in room have them cover their eyes) hide a leaf. (The leaf can be 'real' or draw on cardboard and cut out.) Hide the leaf where the children will need to search--but not too difficult to find.

2. Instruct the kids to sit down in a pre-designated spot when they see the hidden leaf.

3. After all children are sitting--the first child to 'spot' the leaf hides it for the 'next game'.

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ART AND CRAFTS

  

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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 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. (Preserving leaves is also near page bottom in Science)

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LEAF PEOPLE

YARN SHAPED ... (Can be made into people)
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.

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LEAF PEOPLE #2 --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 #3 
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. Cut out leaf shapes and paste them to  background paper. Add heads, arms and legs. It would be fun if the leaf people were engaged in some activity.

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FALL FACES...#4
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.

NOTE: Be sure to check out the leaf fox/dog image a couple entries below!!! Soooooo cute!

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 STAINED GLASS...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. Wonderful 'Image Mosaic' is from ArtfulParent

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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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USE LEAVES AS PAINT BRUSHES
Collect leaves with long stems. Have children paint with the leaves, using the leaves as brushes and the stems as handles.
Or...Collect leaves and tape them to a small stick and use them instead of brushes for painting.

 

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START WITH A LEAF AND LOOK WHAT YOU GET!

How cute is this?!!!  Image was found on Pinterest and is originally from stranamasterov

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TOOTHPICK TREE

Have the children make a tree by gluing toothpicks on a piece of paper. Use a sponge, finger tips or smal paint brush-- and fall colors of red, orange and yellow tempera paint. Using your paint choice of color application -- add leaves to the top of the tree. The tooth picks were also painted brown before the leaves were added. The leaves were made by dipping fingers in paint.) Image by KidActivities.net

TIP: Instead of using toothpicks for the branches--pretzel sticks, pasta, or twigs can be used!

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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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LEAVES BLOWING IN THE WIND

1. Draw leaves on construction paper with Crayola Markers or Crayons. Or gather fallen leaves from outside and trace them. (Wash hands thoroughly afterward.) Draw veins and other designs on the leaves.

2. Cut out leaves.

3. Spread newspaper over your craft area. Dip your finger tips in Crayola Washable Finger Paint. Spread the paint in swirling motions--like the wind--over white construction paper. Wash hands.

4. While the paint is still wet, place leaves on the paper. Arrange them in different directions so they appear to be blowing in the wind. Leaves stick to the paper when the paint dries.

5. Extension: Look at leaf patterns in a science book or collect real leaves. Draw different examples such as maple, beech, and oak. Use red, brown, orange, and yellow paper to make leaves for an autumn scene. Source: Crayola

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SIX THINGS TO DO WITH PAINTED PAPER LEAVES...

Give  children white paper and have them paint using red, and yellow paint. They can mix the paints to create orange.

When the papers are dry, using templates, draw leaf shapes on the back. Cut out the leaves.
With these children can...

  • Make a leaf mobile
  • Make a leaf collage
  • Hang them from the ceiling
  • Glue onto a paper. Make a trunk of a tree--glue on the leaves
  • Put up on a bulletin board
  • Hang them from a classroom size tree...

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LEAF PRINTS USING PAINT

With a brush, paint red, orange and yellow tempera paint onto the front side of leaves. Press the painted side onto paper. For a variation, place the paint on the back side of the leaf and press down--you might see more distict markings on this print.

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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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LEAVES IN PLASTIC

Place leaves on the sticky side of clear self-adhesive plastic. Cover it with another sheet of plastic and press. Cut around the leaves. Punch holes in them and thread yarn or ribbon for a leaf hanging. Also...cut a single leaf and use it as a bookmark. 

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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 long-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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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! Image by KidActivities.net

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PLACEMATS

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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FALL NATURE BRACELETS

Wrap a piece of masking tape (sticky side out) around each child's wrist. Go on a nature walk and have children collect a leaf from each of several trees---sticking it on their leaf bracelet.

Get a Book with a variety of leaves to compare 'finds' when you return. Children will also be able to go home and see what leaves they find there!

As shown, you can take clear packing tape and make bracelets with a variey of nature finds--as well as some wonderful bookmarks! Photographs are courtesy of Angela at Colorfool  blogsite...Angela shares that flat items adhere better than bulky.

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COLORFUL FALL PUZZLE TREE

We all have puzzles that have missing pieces (such as the 100 piece puzzle that only has 80 pieces left)

1. Either draw a tree trunk and leaves... or cut out the trunk of a tree with limbs. If cutting out a tree trunk, glue or staple the trunk to a piece of background paper.

2. Pre-paint the puzzle pieces in fall leaf colors (or they may already have a fall look.)

3. Glue the puzzle pieces to the branches of the tree.

This tree didn't need the puzzle pieces painted--as most pieces were already in shades of red, yellow, orange, and brown)... This idea is also good for spring--using 'spring' colors. (Puzzle Tree Image by KidActivities.net)

 

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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 Category!

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MAKE LEAF GLITTER
Gather old brown leaves--and crumbel them up!
Draw your pictures (leaves or a fall scene would be nice)----apply a light coat of glue or wet paint--sprinkle with you leaf glitter!

You could also paint the leaves before you crumble them to make different colored glitter.

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 MAPLE LEAF PASTA MAGNET OR PIN

Materials:
Uncooked spaghetti
Adhesive-backed magnet
Green food coloring
Cardboard
Recycled clean margerine container
Styrofoam vegetable trays
Spoon
Paintbrush and Scissors 
 
 
1. Draw and cut out a maple-leaf shape on a piece of cardboard. (Good idea to make a template for the kids to trace)
 
2. Pour 1/4 cup (50ml) white glue into an empty margerine container. Add 2-3 drops of green food coloring to the glue. Mix well, until the color is a shade you like.

3. For a good work surface--Place cardboard leaf into a styrofoam vegetable tray. Paint the entire surface of the leaf with the colored glue.

4. Break spaghetti sticks in half. Line up the spaghetti sticks in a single direction on the leaf. Be sure the spaghetti is adhering to the glue. Leave the spaghetti untrimmed at this point.

5. Cover the untrimmed spaghetti with glue-coloring so that it is completely colored.
 
6. Let the leaf dry on a clean styrofoam tray. Once the glue has dried, carefully cut around the edges of the cardboard shape to remove the excess spaghetti. It is helpful to turn the leaf 'spaghetti-side down' while cutting the spaghetti.

7. Repair jagged edges with glue and pieces of trimmed spaghetti. Allow to dry a second time.

8. Adhere two magnets to the center of the cardboard back.
This project also makes a great lapel pin. Just use a pin backing instead of a sticky-backed magnet!
Adapted from TeaPartyCrafts

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 SCIENCE...

 COLLECT LEAVES...
Go on a nature walk and collect different kinds of leaves. Sort the leaves  by color, size or type of leaf. Place them on your science table.

Extension Ideas: GRAPH THE LEAVES
1. Have children count the number of leaves collected from each type of tree. Graph the results.

2. Get young children thinking about what they collected. Ask questions such as:

• What can you tell me about these leaves?  What is the same about these leaves?  What is different about some of these leaves?
• What colors are the leaves?  Look through the magnifying glass, what do you see? (veins, colors, size of the leaf seems to change)
• How can we measure this leaf? Can someone demostrate (show me) how to measure this leaf?  How long it is?  How wide it is?  (This leaf is __ inches/centimeters in length and __ in width.)

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DISPLAY AUTUMN LEAVES ON YOUR SCIENCE OR COLLECTION TABLE along with other "Earth Wonders'...

 

Display natural earth wonders such as :
Sea shells, rocks, crystals, geodes, pine cones, seeds, leaves, twigs, etc.
Encourage children to add to the collection. Provide magnifying glasses to study the items at this center...Photograph courtesy of Restoration Place.

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PRESERVING LEAVES MICRO-WAVE METHOD...
You can preserve fall leaves in your microwave oven.

• Choose fresh leaves with the bright colors. Avoid fallen leaves that have already begun to dry.
• Place separate leaves in the Microwave oven on top of two pieces of paper towel. Cover them with one sheet of paper toweling.
• Run the oven for 30 to 180 seconds. Microwaves vary so watch carefully. The drier the leaves, the less time they will need.
• Be careful, if the leaves "cook" too long you could actually start a fire.
• If the leaves are curled on the edges they need more time.
• Let the leaves dry for a day or two and then finish the leaves with a sealant, such as an acrylic craft spray.
  Source: Amazingmoms.com

 THE OLD FASHIONED WAY...

• Place your autumn colored leaves between two layers of wax paper.
• Cover with a cloth rag. Using a warm (not too hot) iron, press down on the wax covered leaves, sealing the wax paper together with the leaf in between.
• Cut your leaves out, leaving a narrow margin of wax paper around the leaf edge.

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CONTRAST LEAVES...
COLLECT GREEN LEAVES and place them on a tray to dry.... Over time they'll turn brown; without chlorophyll the leaf loses his green color.

GLYCERIN LEAVES
Place a small branch with fall leaves on several layers of newspapers. With a hammer tap the end of the stem until it is slightly crushed.
Place the branch in a jar or baking dish with one part glycerin to two parts water. Keep it for 2 weeks. The leaves will be thicker to touch, colors will have changed & they will not disintegrate or fade..

In the autumn, you can also gather branches of oak, beech, and maple leaves just as the colors began to turn. Submerge them in vases filled with a solution of equal parts of water and glycerin. Over the next week, watch the color metamorphose as the chlorophyll ceased production, triggering the release of pigments. The glycerin, an emollient, fills the cells, rendering them supple and leathery. Leaves will last for years this way, more so if pressed.

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IF YOU FIND A CATERILLAR in late summer to late fall, put FRESH LEAVES in a tank or fish bowl with a few twigs on which to make a chrysalis.

Ask children what they think happen? Ask them what will happen later?

We have done this with our group in the fall. They found a caterpillar outside in early October and brought it in. We put it in a large clear bowl and after the week-end it had made a chrysalis hanging from a twig. Kids  eagerly waited for spring so the butterfly could hatch! Sarah/Oakbrook

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 MATH --LEAF COUNTING-- Pre-K to Grade 1

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THE LEAVES ARE FALLING DOWN

By June Haggard
(Sing to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
School is here and fall in near
The leaves are falling down.

The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
Some are red and some are brown
The leaves are falling down.

The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
They tickle your nose and touch your toes
The leaves are falling down.
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A LITTLE ELF

A little elf
Sat in a tree
Painting leaves
To throw at me.

Leaves of yellow
And leaves of red
Came tumbling down
About my head.

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I LOVE FALL

I love fall! Fall is exciting.
It's apples and cider.
It's an airborne spider.

It's pumpkins in bins.
It's burrs on dog's chins.
It's wind blowing leaves.
It's chilly red knees.

It's nuts on the ground.
It's a crisp dry sound.
It's green leaves turning
And the smell of them burning.

It's clouds in the sky.
It's fall.
That's why...
I love fall.

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LEAVES
by Elsie N. Brady

How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow.

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AUTUMN BIRD SONG

Over the housetops,
Over the trees,
Winging their way
In a stiff fall breeze.

A flock of birds
Is flying along
Southward, for winter,
Singing a song.

Singing a song
They all like to sing,
"We'll see you again
When it's spring, spring, spring."

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OCTOBER

October's the month
When the smallest breeze
Gives us a shower
Of autumn leaves.
Bonfires and pumpkins,
Leaves sailing down -
October is red
And golden and brown.

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NOVEMBER

Now the autumn days are gone
Frost is sparkling on the lawn,
Windows winking cheerful lights
Warm the cold November nights.
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  BOOKS ABOUT LEAVES

Autumn Leaves (ages 3-7)
Written by Ken Robbins
Illustrated with full-color photographs, this book introduces young children to autumn leaves from thirteen different types of deciduous trees. Beginning readers will find the vocabulary very challenging, but even young children will enjoy listening and following the pictures as an adult reads it to them.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf (ages 4-10)
Written by Lois Ehlert
In this classroom favorite, Ehlert relates the life cycle of a sugar maple from a child's perspective. The unique illustrations will grab the attention of the youngest listeners, while the captivating text will engage older readers.

Why Do Leaves Change Colors? (ages 5-9)
Written by Betsy Maestro; illustrated by Loretta Krupinski
In the simplest of terms, this book explains why leaves change colors and fall from the trees. Also included is a list of activities children can do with leaves.

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 APPLES

A BRAND NEW BUSHEL OF APPLES by Diedre Davis.... 

AN A-PEELING BUNCH by Mary Ann White

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 OTHER APPLE THEMED BULLETIN BOARD IDEAS...

• 'OUR APPLE ORCHARD'...Cut an apple for each child to glue a photo of themselves on and put on the bulletin board.

• 'A BUSHEL OF FUN!'
-Draw a large basket with apples in it, and once again, have each child's name on an apple.
 
• 'WE ARE A GREAT BUNCH!'
-Apples on a tree with each child's name on an apple.

• THE NEW CROP IS IN!
Place children's photos or names in apples and hang on tree.

• 'WELCOME TO ________!'
May this school year bring
You happiness galore,
And may you enjoy it
Right to the core!
 
Post the above poem and then draw a huge apple core with everyone's names on it!

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Visit our great APPLE THEME! to go with Apple Display Walls/Doors...

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 'SHARING THE SUMMER' BULLETIN BOARD IDEA... This makes a great back-to-school bulletin board and provides children with opportunities to talk about their summer.   

Divide a bulletin board into "window panes," using white strips of paper. Create one window pane for each child in the program. Assign a few children to bring in some object each day, such as a shell, picture, stone, brochure, etc., that represents what they had fun doing this past summer.
Put the items in small zip-lock plastic bags. After each presentation, mount the plastic bags on each child's "window pane."

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CUTE SCHOOL-WIDE/PROGRAM-WIDE IDEA!
MATCH THE TEACHERS WITH THEIR PETS...

1. In order to have the students meet the faculty and staff on a different level-- have  faculty bring in a picture of themselves and a picture of their pet. 
2. Place the pictures on the bulletin board in a scrambled up manner and have the student decide who goes with which pet.
3. Number the pictures and label the pets with a letter. Have paper available for the students to write down their answers. 
You could also tie in a reading theme by adding some book jackets of pet books. 

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GREAT IDEA! Love this one!
'BUILDING NEW FRIENDSHIPS' Bulletin Board...This is an opening week activity that also takes care of a bulletin board for the first month or so. Cut several block shapes (like cement blocks) out of brightly colored paper. On each, write a declarative statement.

• I love broccoli. • I have broken a bone. • I went ice-skating this summer. • I have been in another country. • I have met someone famous. Be creative with your statements!

Sometime during the first few days, pass them around and students sign all blocks that apply to them. Sign them also yourself, then circulate them through the rest of the teaching staff, the administrators, the cafeteria workers, custodians, crossing guards, playground aides, etc. It usually takes about a week to get them all back.

Then "build" a wall with them on a bulletin board under a banner that says "Building New Friendships."

Whenever visitors come into our classroom, ask them to sign the appropriate blocks, also. This is really a conversation starter and helps the kids find common areas of interest with people they might not have thought of otherwise. Idea of Tami Knight on 'Classroom Displays and Bulletin Boards' by Barbara Colvin 

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Are you having a FROG THEME? Maybe some of the following will get you 'HOPPING'! Good for a board or door...

• "Welcome to My Pad" (On the door or Information Board)

 • "Take a Leap Into _____!" (Example: Grade 5 or SAC)

• "Leap into ______" (Beginning of Year Welcome)

• Welcome to ___________’s Pad!

• "I'm HOPPY You’re Here!"

• "Toad"ally Awesome ________"

"Leaping into a New School Year!"
Write child's names on frogs and display around large lilypad with class name or grade written on it.

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Visit the 'FROG THEME PAGE' for ideas to go with your display boards!

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AUTUMN-FALL

 AUTUMN IS... Idea from Leopold Primary School

Have children trace leaf shape templates. Use fall colored paper to do so.
Have each child finish the sentence-
Autumn is...
Place the leaves about the tree!

Example: AUTUMN IS...
The days getting cooler and windier
Deciduous trees losing their leaves
Children jumping in piles of crunchy autumn leaves
Wearing scarfs and jackets
Farmers harvesting their crops

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FAll INTO A GOOD BOOK...An Autumn Board to stimulate some good Reading!

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'AUTUMN SUNFLOWER ART' DISPLAY BOARD (See Sunflower Theme)

For this bulletin board/display -- paintings, collage and color mixing work were based around the theme of Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Photograph by Mrs. P on Display Photos

IDEA #2...SUNFLOWER CHILDREN

1. Have each child make a sunflower. Cut out a circle out of brown construction paper. Cut long petal strips out of yellow paper.  
2. Glue one end of each strip to the back of the brown circle.
Wait until the glue dries a bit and then pull the other edge of the paper strip and glue it down on the circle.
3. Cut leaves and stem out of green paper and glue on.
4. In the middle of the sunflower write the child's name out; around it glue down a few sunflower seeds.
Display the sunflowers on the bulletin board and in the middle place the the following poem. (Idea from CanTeach)

The sunflower children
Nod to the sun.
Summer is over,
Fall has begun!

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FALL TREE  MURAL THAT CHANGES WITH THE SEASONS ...

• Make the tree trunk by cutting up brown paper bags. Crinkle the paper and shape it into a tree trunk by stapling it to the bulletin board. Branches may be cut as part of the trunk--or added separately. Allow some branches to buckle out. You can twist some branches before putting down.

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

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DO SOME 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. (For another paint method and image vist the Paint/Coloring Page.)

Recipe for 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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'RECIPE FOR A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!' (or...'OST YEAR', 'SAC YEAR', etc.) Just copy the sample image!

Source: Clayton County Public Schools by Deanna Rogers

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 BULLYING AWARENESS PREVENTION WEEK is in October or November each year! See display board ideas with images in the Anti-Bully Category near the bottom of the page!

KINDNESS DAY AND WEEK is in November. Visit the 'Kindness Catergory (page bottom) for Display Board Ideas with images..

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THREE KINDNESS  WALL IDEAS THAT CAN START RIGHT NOW! It stays up all year!

#1 KINDNESS BRICK WALL -When a child receives RAK recognition, take their photograph and put it on a construction paper brick shape. If unable to take a photo, write their name and deed on the brick and put it on the wall of kindness. Each week the kids will see the brick wall grow. A large area will be covered by the end of the school year!

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#2 IDEA....KINDNESS CONNECTS US ALL!

• Design a pre-cut person, hand, or heart shape. When children are caught being kind, take the design with their name and deed on the shape. 

• The shapes are taped together in a chain or patchwork style connecting the kids of the program or classroom.

This is a good project for the entire school---connecting one end of the school to the other! Check it out with the school to see if they'd like to join you!

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#3 KINDNESS BULLETIN BOARD
Created by Toni in Missouri

1.  Youth brainstorm ideas for unexpected, kind things to do for people--people who would not expect children to do a favor/kindness for them.
2.  Each idea is put on a shape and put on the board.
3.  When a student completes a RAK, they sign their name on the act that is posted on the board.
4.  By the end of the year, hopefully all of the brainstormed acts will have at least one signature on them to signify that someone acted in that manner for someone.

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OTHER IDEAS...

1. "Blasting Off Into a New School Year"
Write student's  names on rocketships.

2. "Grade ________ is Tee-rific!"
Each child writes their name on a tee-shirt pattern and decorates it. Hang  tee-shirts on a clothesline attached to the display area.

3. Cute idea for Pre-K and K
CHICKA, CHICKA, BOOM, BOOM! "Look Who's in Our Room!"

Decorate board with a palm tree and put each child's name in a coconut on tree. Use letters of the alphabet as a border. (Of course read the book and plan a couple themed activities!)

OR...Copy this sample  by Kindergarten teacher Stephanie Gubbini, of the former blogsite, Aloha Kindergarten...'Chicka, Chicka, Boom Boom~ Welcome to Your New Room!'

 

4. PUTTING OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD...
Have children trace their shoe or foot on colored construction paper and cut it out. Have each child write a school or program goal. If kids can't write have them dictate a goal to an adult or older child to write on their footprint. Place 'feet' under the title.

5. "__________ is the Place to Bee!"- Put childrens' names on bees buzzing around a hive.

6. CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
Each child decorates a paper doll to look like himself/herself

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ADAPT THIS TO THE SEASONS...This triptych art inspired example for a room with no windows (or a wonderful mural) is the creation of Michael Cardimen, SAC Associate (trainer) for Rochester, Michigan Community Schools.

 It's a very special piece of art for the Kindergarten K-Club children who spend time in this room! Michael searches the internet for pictures that he likes--copies and/or enlarges them. He then pieces it all together (fills in where necessary) on large sheets of roll paper.

What makes this mural special is the capacity for it to be interactive. As shown, fall leaves are beginning to appear at the top of the windows. Michael shares that the children modify the mural with each season and theme. At times there may be pets and animals at the base--or a snowman and children playing out in the landscape area! 

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Check out the Category of A Professional  Environment.  Good Tips and photos! 

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DISPLAY BOARD TIPS...

1. NOT MUCH SPACE IN YOUR PROGRAM TO HANG ART WORK? Staple it to ribbon!

1. Take a long roll of wide ribbon and at the top of the wall near the ceiling, securely tape the ribbon to the wall.
2. Next tape the ribbon at the bottom of the wall.
3. Staple children's art work and pictures vertically down the ribbon.
4. Do as many ribbon lines as you have room...
5. Regularly update art work.

2. COVER BOARDS WITH FABRIC! 

Cover  boards with fabric at the beginning of the year!  Unlike paper, it doesn't fade and staple holes don't show when you move things around or take it down. Be on the look out for sales-and check the clearance tables at fabric stores. It will look good for years!

3. ANOTHER NICE BULLETIN BOARD TIP...

LAYER your bulletin board paper at the beginning of the year. 
Example:
Start with pink for spring... Top it with a layer blue for winter...and green on top for back to school.  Each time you're ready for your next board, carefully take down the first layer and the next layer is already up!!!
Source: Vickey Moore

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 What Should We Display in our Classrooms and Child Care Programs?

• Children's work
• Unit or theme pictures/seasonal materials
• Photographs of children/pictures from home
• Upcoming events/activities
• Program-Classroom planning/daily schedules
• Photographs of activities and children in action (First get parental consent)

 Suggested Display Areas…

• Bulletin boards  
• Windows
• Hallways   
• Posters
• Draped materials  
• Sheets
• Oil cloths   
• In/on Parents Center/Table
• From ceiling  
• Directly on Walls (attractive when colored roll paper taped to wall like a board, surround by border; items then adhered to paper)
• Doorway Entrance/Door
• Large Chalk board/white board
• Tri-Fold Boards

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MORE AUTUMN IDEAS...
     

LET'S HARVEST GOOD CHARACTER...This idea works well with a Fall Harvest Theme but also addresses Anti-Bully Week and World Kindness Week each Autumn . (Nice idea for the first three months of school!)

 

Each time a deed of 'Good Character' (Kindness) is noted-it is recorded on a small card and placed on a pumpkin and through-out the garden! Great for September through November...  

This board was created by Barbara Huttle for University Christian School. Thank you Barbara for letting KIdActivities display your wonderful idea!

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'THANKFUL' BOARD SAMPLES ...(From Thanksgiving Category)

  TWO VERSIONS OF AN 'I AM THANKFUL HANDPRINT TREE'
Gather colored paper (red, orange, brown, green, yellow) Trace the children's hands onto several sheets of several colors. Cut out.

Cut out a brown tree trunk branches in proportion to the amount of leaves. Have the children glue the hand shapes to the tree trunk to form the leaves of the tree.

Have child think of things to be thankful for and label the hand/leaves. Thankful Tree Display is a sample from Mann School Art Appreciation.

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Fantastic lists of books for themes of Apples, Leaves, Autumn, Pumpkins, Jack-O-Lanterns, Halloween, Spooky, and November!

BOOKS ABOUT APPLES

 

Apple Picking Time (ages 3-8)
Written by Michele Benoit Slawson; illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray
Written from the perspective of a young girl, this book is based on the author's own apple-picking memories from her Washington childhood. Adults and children alike will love the lyrical quality of the text and the charming watercolor illustrations.

How Do Apples Grow? (ages 5-9)
Written by Betsy Maestro; illustrated by Giulio Maestro
Part of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out science series, this non-fiction book explains how apple blossoms become fruit, and how the seeds of the fruit, in turn, can become new trees. The book also introduces the concepts of pollination, fertilization, and photosynthesis.

Johnny Appleseed (ages 4-8)
Written by Reeve Lindbergh; illustrated by Kathy Jakobsen
This beautifully-illustrated book tells in poem form of Johnny Chapman's quest to spread apples throughout the Midwest. Beyond discussing Chapman's mission, it also highlights various aspects of his character, including his kindness, courage, compassion, and respect for all living things.

The Apple Pie Tree (ages 4-8)
Written by Zoe Hall; illustrated by Shari Halpern
This beautifully written and illustrated book recounts the adventures of two children as they follow an apple tree through the seasons, from bud to fruit. Of all the books in my personal library, this is one of the ones that has seen the most use. It's great for teaching about plants, life cycles, seasons, apples, food in general, etc.

The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree (ages 4-7)
Written by Gail Gibbons
Join Arnold and his dog as they interact with an apple tree and discover how it changes through the seasons.

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BOOKS ABOUT AUTUMN

Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic (ages 3-8)
Written by Steven Schnur; illustrated by Leslie Evans
This beautifully illustrated book includes one acrostic poem about autumn for every letter of the alphabet.

Autumn (ages 4-8)
Written by Nicola Baxter
This simple book tells all about the season of fall, includes a list of things to talk about, and offers seasonal activities.

Clifford's First Autumn (ages 3-8)
Written and illustrated by Norman Bridwell
Young students will love this simple work featuring the wonders of autumn through the eyes of one of the world's most-lovable dogs.

How Do You Know It's Fall? (ages 3-8)
Written by Allan Fowler
Illustrated with photographs, this non-fiction work beautifully presents the many signs of fall, from migrating birds to falling leaves to people playing football.

In November (Ages 4-7)
Written by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Jill Kastner
This illustrated poem reflect on the earth's transition from fall to winter.

When Autumn Comes (ages 4-10)
Written by Robert Mass
Uncommonly rich photography, aided by simple text, bring New England autumns to life.

 

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BOOKS ABOUT LEAVES

Autumn Leaves (ages 3-7)
Written by Ken Robbins
Illustrated with full-color photographs, this book introduces young children to autumn leaves from thirteen different types of deciduous trees. Beginning readers will find the vocabulary very challenging, but even young children will enjoy listening and following the pictures as an adult reads it to them.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf (ages 4-10)
Written by Lois Ehlert
In this classroom favorite, Ehlert relates the life cycle of a sugar maple from a child's perspective. The unique illustrations will grab the attention of the youngest listeners, while the captivating text will engage older readers.

Why Do Leaves Change Colors? (ages 5-9)
Written by Betsy Maestro; illustrated by Loretta Krupinski
In the simplest of terms, this book explains why leaves change colors and fall from the trees. Also included is a list of activities children can do with leaves.

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BOOKS ABOUT PUMPKINS and Only Pumpkins... 
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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HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN-JACK-O-LANTERN BOOK LIST

Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin
by James Howe When Rex accompanies Pinky and his relatives on their traditional trip to pick and carve pumpkins, she feels left out because of the jealous behaivor of Pinky's cousin Abby.

Pumpkin Day, Pumpkin Night
by Anne F. Rockwell Shows a boy's excitement in buying the perfect pumpkin and then trying to make the pumpkin into a perfect Jack-o-lantern.

Pumpkin Faces
by Emma Rose Turn off your light for a spooky surprise--pumpkins are glowing in every shape and size!
 
The Problem With Pumpkins: A Hip and Hop Story
by Barney Saltzberg Hip and Hop's friendship is tested when Hop insists they can't both dress up as pumpkins for Halloween.

Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin
by Mary Serfozo Peter finds the perfect pumpkin so that he and his Dad can make a jack-o-lantern. 
 
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Humongous Pumpkin
by Stan Berenstain The Bear Scouts must stop the infamous Archweasel McGreed before he and his evil troops, hidden in an enormous pumpkin, tak over Bear Country.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
by Justine Korman Will Linus ever find the Great Pumpkin?  Join Linus as he convinces his friend Sally to wait for the Great Pumpkin to arrive on Halloween.

This is the Pumpkin
by Abby Levine A cumulative rhyme describes the activities of Max, his younger sister, and other children as they celebrate Halloween at school and trick-or-treating.

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BOOKS  FOR HALLOWEEN

Thirteen Nights of Halloween
by Rebecca Dickinson
 
All Hallow's Eve - The Story of the Halloween Fairy
by Lisa Sferlazza Johnson

 Big Pumpkin
by Erica Silverman
 
 Bugs That Go Bump in the Night
by David A. Carter

 Dragon's Halloween
by Dav Pilkey

 Extreme Monsters Joke Book
by Nikki Bataille Lange
 
 Extreme Monsters - Meet Mr. Hydeous
by Louise Simonson
 
 Extreme Monsters - The Blue Moon Effect
by Mel Friedman
 
 Extreme Monsters - What's With Wulf?
by Mel Friedman

 Five Little Pumpkins
by Iris Van Rynbach
 
 Go Away Big Green Monster
by Ed Emberley
 
 Halloween Bugs: A Trick-Or-Treat Pop-Up
by David A. Carter
 
 Halloween Night
by Arden Druce

 Halloween Puzzles
by Helene Hovanec
 
 Halloween Sky Ride
by Elizabeth Spurr
 
 Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve
by Mary Pope Osborne

 I Spy Spooky Night
by Jean Marzollo
 
 In the Haunted House
by Eve Bunting
 
 Inside a House That Is Haunted: A Rebus Read-Along Story
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

 It's Halloween!
by Jack Prelutsky
 
 Jan Pienkowski's Haunted House
by Jan Pienkowski
 
 Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies
by Mark Kimball Moulton
 
 Mrs. McMurphy's Pumpkin
by Rick Walton

 Peek-a-Boooo!
by Marie Torres Cimarusti

 Pigs Go to Market - Halloween Fun with Math and Shopping
by Amy Axelrod

 Pumpkin Eye
by Denise Fleming
 
Room on the Broom
by Julia Donaldson

 Scary, Scary Halloween
by Eve Bunting
 
 Shake Dem Halloween Bones!
by Mike Reed

 Skeleton Hiccups
by Margery Cuyler
 
 Tell Me a Scary Story
by Carl Reiner
 
 Ten Timid Ghosts
by Jennifer O'connell

 The Bumpy Little Pumpkin
by Margery Cuyler

 The Everything Kids Halloween Puzzle
by Beth L. Blair

 The Legend of Spookley, the Square Pumpkin
by Joe Troiano

 The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
by Linda Williams
 
 The Night Before Halloween
by Natasha Wing
 
 The Ugly Pumpkin
by Dave Horowitz

 Too Many Pumpkins
by Linda White

 Trick or Treat Countdown
by Patricia Hubbard

 Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet
by Diane deGroat

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SPOOKY BOOKS--great for HALLOWEEN...but kids like them all year long!

CAMP CREEPY TIME
Gina Gershon and Dann Gershon
G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Ages 10-up---224 pages

GHOST CAT AND OTHER SPOOKY TALES
James Preller
Scholastic Paperbacks
Ages 7-10
76 pages

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, STINKY FACE
written by Lisa McCourt
illustrated by Cyd Moore
Ages 4-8
32 pages

MERCY WATSON: PRINCESS IN DISGUISE
written by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Candlewick Press--Ages 6-8--80 pages

NIGHTMARE ACADEMY
by Dean Lorey
HarperCollins--Ages 10-up--320 pages

SKELLY THE SKELETON GIRL
written and illustrated by Jimmy Pickering
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
Ages 4-8--32 pages

SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT
Derek Landy
Ages 10-up--400 pages

UNCLE MONTAGUE’S TALES OF TERROR
written by Chris Priestly
Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Ages 10-14---192 pages

WINNIE THE WITCH
written by Valerie Thomas
HarperCollins
Ages 4-8--32 pages
Source: kidsread.com

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 I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson, Judith Byron Schachner (Illustrator)
Great twist of the classic - I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. I know an old lady who swallowed a pie, a Thanksgiving pie, which was really too dry. And with that the feast begins! After the pie the old lady swallows a whole squash, all of the salad, and the entire turkey! As Mother and Father watch in shock, the two children are delighted to see the old lady growing fatter and fatter. And, in the end, the old lady makes a surprising and humorous contribution to the holiday festivities.

In November by Cynthia Rylant, Jill Kastner (Illustrator)
In November, the air grows cold and the earth and all of its creatures prepare for winter. Animals seek food and shelter. And people gather together to celebrate their blessings with family and friends. This book is a great resource to share at Thanksgiving time, as it honors family traditions of this seasonal month.

The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing, Tammie Lyon (Illustrator)
A creative spin on the Clement C. Moore classic, The Night Before Thanksgiving is a warm, whimsical celebration of everyone's favorite fun-filled, family-filled, food-filled holiday! Follow along as the feast is prepared, cousins are greeted, and thanks are given, all with an extra helping of holiday fun. All are at Library, bookstores, and Amazon.com

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