Inside: Download these free pumpkin themed circle time printable props for toddlers and preschoolers to use with pumpkin songs and fingerplays!
October means pumpkins, and we have lots of ideas for our pumpkin theme.
Adding pumpkins to your fall lessons is a wonderful way to include nature.
Children can learn the life cycle of the pumpkin, perhaps going to a nearby farm to collect some pumpkins for the home or classroom.
You can easily extend this by adding some pumpkin songs and fingerplays, and these props go perfectly with them!
Simply make enough pumpkin sticks for each child and invite them to hold them while reading fun pumpkin books, recite fingerplays, and sing pumpkin songs.
Make sure to also check out: Apple Themed Circle Time Printable Props
Pumpkin Themed Circle Time Printable Props
What you will need:
- Popsicle sticks or Jumbo Craft Sticks
- Laminator
- Scotch tape
- Pumpkin sticks (scroll down page to find free printable)
We suggest either printing these on heavy paper or laminating them for extra durability, unless you are the only one that will handle them.
Make enough copies so that you have one pumpkin stick for each child.
Preparation:
Cut out the desired amount of pumpkins and gather your popsicle or jumbo craft sticks.
Tape the pumpkins to the top of each stick.
Using the Pumpkin Sticks While Reading
Hand each child an pumpkin stick to hold while you read the book.
Now and then invite the children to hold up their pumpkin sticks when you say the word “pumpkin” during the story.
Counting
Find a finger play or song about pumpkins that involves counting.
Five Little Pumpkins is always fun! Check out this one from Kathy Griffith Teaching!
Have that many pumpkin sticks in your hands while starting the activity.
If counting up, keep adding an pumpkin stick to your hand according to the words in the finger play or song.
If counting down, start with all of the pumpkin sticks in your hand and remove them one at a time according to the words in the finger play or song.
Related: Fall Songs and Fingerplays
Positional Words
This is a fun way to work on following directions. Tell your children to listen to you very carefully as you tell them where to put their pumpkin sticks.
For example:
- Above their head.
- Behind their back.
- Under their shoe.
- Beside them.
- In front of them.
- Between their hands.
Parts of the Body
Once again, your children will listen very carefully as you tell them where to point their pumpkin sticks.
For example:
- On their knee.
- On their nose.
- On their shoulder.
- On their ear.
More Circle Time Resources
Ten Little Dinosaurs Printable Props
Fall/Autumn Songs for Circle Time
Preschool Circle Time Activities
When Circle Time Doesn’t Go As Planned (Video)
My Secrets to a Successful Circle Time (Video)
