Last Updated on September 21, 2025 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: What to do with those pumpkin seeds after making your jack-o-lanterns? Try this simple pumpkin seed art activity!
During our pumpkin theme we love exploring what’s inside a pumpkin.
Once the pumpkins are cleaned, we hammer golf tees into them for a fun fine motor activity.
But what do to with all those seeds?
This is what I was wondering as I looked at the large mound of seeds sitting in the tub.
My students have really been into squeezing glue lately, so I decided to get seeds involved on a pumpkin shaped piece of paper.
This ended up being a really fun (and super simple) activity that we did the week of Halloween.
Pumpkin Seed Art
If you saw my recent pumpkin collage art post, you know how much my group this year loves to squeeze glue.
In fact, I think they prefer to squeeze it rather than use a brush (as I have done in the past).
I add some tempera paint to each bottle to give the glue some color. I really think this makes all the difference!
How to Tint a Bottle of Glue
If you are using individual bottles of glue like I did, you will want to open the top.
Then, add some squirts of tempera paint, whatever colors you want. I don’t add a lot – just a few squirts of each color. You don’t even need to mix it. Most will stay towards the top of the bottle but some color might eventually make its way down. As more glue is used, you might need to add more tempera paint to the bottle.
If you are using containers of glue that the children will dip their paintbrushes in, you will first pour the glue into the containers.
Then, squirt some tempera paint on top. As the children brush the glue on to their paper, the colors will mix with the glue.
I don’t measure anything; I just simply eyeball it.
Watch the Video
Supplies
- Orange construction paper, cut into pumpkin shapes
- Bottles of white glue
- Pumpkin seeds
Set Up
I like to set everything on trays, so first I place those on the art table.
Then, add the pumpkin shaped paper, pumpkin seeds, and a bottle of glue.
The Activity
Invite your children to start gluing the seeds on the paper!
I love watching the concentration as they squeeze the glue.
When I first tell people that I use squeeze bottles, they think I am nuts because isn’t that going to just create a huge puddle of glue?
For older, stronger children, if they don’t know how to move the bottle around to distribute the glue, perhaps.
But for toddlers and young preschoolers?
It takes great effort to get the glue out.
And if it does come out rather quickly, just close the lid a bit so the opening is more narrow.
Press on the Seeds!
Show your children how to press the seeds on to the glue.
Younger children need to be shown how this works, or they will try to place the seeds all over the paper, even where there is no glue.
Show them how the seeds fall off the paper if no glue is underneath them.
Fine Motor Fun
I love any opportunity to get as much fine motor into an activity as possible.
In addition to squeezing the glue, this pumpkin seed art also involves pinching the seeds and then pressing them on to the glue.
Related: Fall Fine Motor Activities
Let It Dry!
When finished, let the pumpkins dry thoroughly.
More Pumpkin Ideas
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