Looking for exciting Pumpkin Science Activities? One of the biggest indicators of Fall quickly approaching has arrived! No, I’m not talking about changing leaves or the cooler nights. I’m talking PUMPKIN SPICED COFFEE season!!! Everywhere I look it’s pumpkin-spiced coffee, pumpkin-spiced doughnuts, pumpkin-spiced creamers, pumpkin-spiced flavored candles, and the list goes on and on…
You can bring that pumpkin fall experience directly into your classroom! No, I am NOT telling you to bring in pumpkin-spiced coffee for those little ones… they bounce off the walls as it is!
I’m talking about using pumpkins in your lessons… particularly your science lessons. I have 10 amazing pumpkin science activities that your students are going to LOVE! The best part is that they are all included in our Science in a Snap series, which means… little to no prep, quick and simple to conduct in your classroom, and FUN! You can find all of these pumpkin science activities + a lot more fall-themed resources within Education to the Core Premium.
Pumpkin Science Activity 1. Pumpkin Life Cycle
I love to use this cute pumpkin life cycle crown as a way for students to model how a pumpkin grows. Pair this with the story From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer for a quick and easy science lesson. After creating the crown, have students share with a partner or buddy class the life cycle of a pumpkin. Great way to work in oral language development and vocabulary as well.
2. Sink or Float? ~ Pumpkin Edition
Have you ever done a sink or float lesson? Toss some pumpkins into the mix. Have a variety of sizes and weighted pumpkins to use to see if they have the same outcome. Continue investigating all about pumpkins by measuring their circumference, height, counting the number of seeds inside, and so much more!
3. Pumpkin Slime
I mean come on, who doesn’t LOVE a slime activity?!? It’s gooey, gross and kids just adore it! You may have a recipe up your sleeves for slime already, but have you ever considered adding pumpkin guts (the inside pulplike substance) and seeds?
Pumpkin Science Activity 4. Your Five Senses
“The Five Senses” is a great Science unit for any grade! Why not add and make the focus all on the pumpkin?! Have students keep a log or notebook to use descriptors for this activity. Make this activity your own by either having one or a few pumpkins for the entire class to use or providing students with individual pumpkins if appropriate or feasible.
Instruct students to use their senses to help describe the pumpkin. How does it look by sight? How does it feel? What does it sound like? You can have students knock on it to listen to the sound that it makes. Cut the top off of the pumpkin and allow your students to compare and contrast their answers from the outside. How does it look inside? How does it feel by touch? Smell? Sound? When it comes to the tasting aspect of this activity, consider buying some type of pumpkin-flavored item. You can also purchase pumpkin seeds in the store or if you like roasting your own is a great option too!
5. Pumpkin Volcano
Alright, so you probably already have heard of the classic volcano experiment for kids using vinegar and baking soda, correct? If not, don’t worry I will walk you through it in just a moment. Complete your fall-extravaganza with a pumpkin science volcano!
I have a quick and simple pumpkin volcano experiment you can conduct with your class. It’s sure to be an activity your students talk about for fall seasons to come.
Step back, observe and prepare to erupt! An extra bonus if you tie in a Social Emotional Learning aspect (try My Mouth is a Volcano) to this lesson on impulsivity.
6. Pumpkin Platforms
You know all of those cute mini-gourd pumpkins you see at the grocery store… Well, I have a great STEM project you can do with them. All you need are paper towel and/or toilet paper tubes and some popsicle sticks.
Can your students build a platform that holds one (or more) of these mini-pumpkins? This is a great activity for them to complete in pairs and then have your class do a science fair walk of sorts, where they take a look at everyone’s platform designs.
Pumpkin Science Activity 7. Pumpkin Launchers
Mini erasers can be fun, but they aren’t really practical. I always find that they break because my students erase too hard with them. But, we can use them in an engineering project. Your students can work independently or with a partner as they follow directions and inventively create a launcher. What will your students’ launch designs look like?
8. Rotten Pumpkin Experiment
For anyone that has ever “carved” a pumpkin you know that in a short time span it will begin to rot. If you also know anything about me, I LOVE to pair an activity with a story! Well, we are in luck because check out Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell!
Your students get to observe the process of decomposition first hand. Together as a class carve out a pumpkin. Make daily and weekly observations to notice any differences in the pumpkin. Decomposition is all about rotting and decay, so be prepared for your pumpkin to begin breaking down over time. So after a period of time, it may be best to move the pumpkin to an outdoor location if possible.
9. Following Directions – Pumpkin Style
October also brings a lot of excitement and anticipation for those who celebrate Halloween. And we won’t even get started with the day after sugar crash. If you’re needing a little help getting and keeping your students on track right now, a listen and color activity may be just what you are looking for.
I like to incorporate a little bit of Simon Says and make this activity a game. Your students will be on the edge of their seats listening to every word you say.
Pumpkin Activity 10. Pumpkin in a Pumpkin
What a better culminating activity than to plant your own pumpkins! By pairing so many of these pumpkin science activities together you can create an entire unit for the Fall months! By starting off with the pumpkin life cycle to the decomposing activity you can end this unit by utilizing one more piece of the pumpkin…. The seeds!
Since we learned that pumpkins will eventually decompose, what better natural way than to use them as a vessel for planting? Place some dirt and soil inside a hollowed-out pumpkin. Add the pumpkin seeds to the dirt, water them, and wait. The pumpkin seeds will use the nutrition from the pumpkin source to grow! How cool is that!?
Bonus Pumpkin Activity 11. Pumpkin Playdough
Well, I couldn’t leave you without a little bonus activity! When I was talking about all the different recipes and activities my mind kept wandering to one of my favorite classroom “cooking” activities – HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH! The thing I love most about this recipe is that it is a No-Cook Pumpkin Playdough recipe!
I hope you enjoyed my little taste of Fall with these 10 (+1) Pumpkin Science Activities! It is hard to believe that it is fall already, but I do have to admit it is one of my favorite seasons.
Have you ever thought about bringing the fall into your classroom? I cannot wait to hear how some of these cool pumpkin science activities turn out for you! Let us know which ones you tried or are planning to try! (Pictures are even better!)
Written by: Christopher Olson
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