How Many Seeds In A Pumpkin?

We met up with friends from our Nature Club and did a fun project based on the book 'How Many Seeds In A Pumpkin?' by Margaret McNamara. This a fun book that walks a class through an experiment to see how many seeds are in pumpkins and why that might be.

For our group we started with pumpkin observations, estimations of how many seeds might be in our various pumpkins, then the seeded them and counted, graphed their results and we compared our results. This is a fun project to do this time of year with a small group because it makes the collective data more interesting versus just one or two pumpkins.

A great fall activity!!



Pumpkin Patch

We visited two different pumpkin patches last week, however I only brought my camera to one. This was a home school field trip with many friends, making it a very large group. Last year we enjoyed this farm as well. The weather was a bit damp, but it did not slow the kids down in the least.

They started with a hay ride out to a pumpkin patch, a real pumpkin patch that was not all groomed down. Each kiddo enjoyed exploring for their favorite pumpkin. Hudson did not appreciate the sloppy ground though as he still tumbles pretty easily, I guess that happens at two and a half.

After the pumpkin patch the group then ventured over to the animals barns and the hay maze, offering much fun for both kids! We finished up visiting with friends while playing about the farm. It was a really fun day and a wonderful way to enjoy the fall weather.

Sponge Painted Pumpkins

We had fun doing some sponge painting - something we probably do not do enough of, which is crazy since it really requires very little... paint, sponge and paper! I drew a pumpkin in black marker and then set up both (yes, BOTH) kids with a plate of orange and brown paint with a sponge. Holly took her time with the actual sponge technique whereas Hudson soon found he could smear it. When they dried we cut them out. They both turned out great and I have to say it was wonderful to do an art project with both kids and no restrictions!!!

Chalked Pumpkins

Holly was excited to do this art lesson with Dad! They both had a messy good time!!!

Chalking is such a simple and fun art medium to use... one we don't break out enough. Don't get me wrong, it is used in our home but I think we need to incorporate it more. This particular project was very easy to practice shading techniques with rubbing.

I created a pumpkin out of white glue and let it dry fully. Then she chalked the page - practicing shading in each section of the pumpkin. She was working on some creative blends, soon learning it was not quiet what she wanted. Chalk is forgiving that way - new layers and rub away... colors fixed! She did a fantastic job on her artwork - as did dad... we love how he used drastic colors compared to Holly. Same project, yet so different!

We will be trying this again soon with leaves... coming soon!

Draw your picture in glue and let dry well.

Chalks... love chalks!

Starting her picture.

Working side by side!

Getting her colors just so!

Bryan enjoying some art too!

Blending away!

Holly's finished pumpkin! Beautiful!!!

Bryan's finished pumpkin! Stunning!

When finished, spray a light coat of aerosol hair spray to set the chalk some.

Beautiful Chalked Pumpkins!

Tot - School

I wanted to share a bit on what I guess we'll call 'Tot-School' with Hudson. I'd love to document more on this however it is difficult to work with him one on one and have a camera going. Our time together has been going great! Hudson is just as interested in the learning time as Holly is and that thrills me. The hard part is carving in good solid time with both... something I am sure will come easier as we move along.

Yesterday I remembered to grab my camera for a bit of our time together. We started with a couple of books on pumpkins, finger play songs and music in the living room, pseudo circle time if you will. Then we moved to the table for some puzzle play, sensory box play and sorting, stringing of large colored pasta on pipe cleaners and then we finished up our time with Hudson's first ever 'art project'.

First we brought in his pumpkin from the pumpkin patch the day before and looked at it, touched it, talked about it, talked about our visit, talked about circles (which he knows and can draw - crazy) and the colors orange and brown. Then he made a simple pumpkin. I pre-cut orange squares, got a white paper plate (reviewed it was a circle) for a surface and showed him how to use a glue stick. I did one or two before he wanted to do it himself. He glued the orange squares onto the plate - creating a pumpkin. He LOVED this... really, really loved it! He was very happy about his work and asked for 'five' when done.... aka - a high five.

He had a lot of fun and so did I!