Counting Pumpkin Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Today I'm teaming up with a great group of bloggers to bring you fun Halloween Read and Play ideas! My idea is a playset that you can use for pumpkin activities for toddlers and preschoolers! Note affiliate links are included in this post, which means that if you click a product link and buy something, this website receives a tiny commission at no additional cost to you.
My daughter received the book Five Little Pumpkins as a gift for her first Halloween and I'll be honest, we never put it away. It is always in our book stash even if it is a Halloween themed book. With it's cute illustrations and rhyming Five Little Pumpkins song, both my kids just plain like it!
We had some cute store-bought pumpkin clothespins that I picked up at Michaels at the end of last Halloween season, and we had been playing with them for our clothespins and pattern stick activity. The reminded me of the Five Little Pumpkins so I thought we would try a little counting activity with them.
Turns out my Fine Motor Fridays co-host, Devany at Still Playing School had a similar idea, as we found out we were both working on a Five Little Pumpkins clothespins idea! For a super fun variation on this activity, or especially if you do not have store bought pumpkin clothespins, you totally should check hers out!
My preschooler enjoyed acting out the book as we read it, clipping the matching pumpkin on it's numbered spot on the paper plate gate. My toddler still just loves clipping and unclipping the clothespins, and when we did it with the book he liked taking them off at the end and saying “rolled out of SIGHT!” while turning them upside down in his hand.
Making this super simple playset was really fast and easy. I could see using this folded paper plate idea for tons of themes and ideas using clothes pins. It was super handy because you could set it on the table and the folded part stands up, allowing the child to focus just on clipping the clothespins, but you can also hold it in one hand, which is a great way to work on bilateral coordination! Here's how to make a set for yourself!
Five Little Pumpkin Playset
Materials:
1 Paper Plate
1 Set of Pumpkin Clothepins
Brown Marker
Directions:
Ready for this? So simple!
Fold the bottom 1/3 of the play up. Using your brown marker draw fence posts and beams to make a gate. Write numbers in the spaces of the gate and numbers on each clothespin. Clip your clothespins to your plate. Done.
Brain surgery! Rocket science! Okay, not so much. But was it fun to play with? Yes indeed!
Ways to Play:
Adapt this activity to your child's abilities.
For younger children just focus on clipping the pumpkins on and off, perhaps while you read the book or demonstrate matching the numbers and counting aloud.
For older kids have them match up the numbers as you go.
If that is easy enough you can use them for practicing counting backwards, or even basic math!
What do you think? Would your kids like this activity? Have you read the book? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!
If you like this activity please do pin it and stick around to check out these other fun Halloween ideas! I also have a ton of inspiration on my Halloween Pinterest Board so be sure to follow me there!
Halloween Read and Play Blog Hop
I mentioned earlier that this post is part of a Halloween Read and Play blog hop, so please browse around below for even more Halloween Book Activity inspiration!
This post is part of an AWESOME Halloween Read and Play Blog Hop. Make sure to check out the other book based activities from fantastic bloggers!
Halloween Read and Play Pinterest Board which features ALL these great activities!
I love all your ideas. Where did you find the pumpkin clothes pins?
Yikes I just saw this comment, so sorry for the delay! I am pretty sure I got them at Halloween time at my local Michael’s craft store.
This is such a good idea. Preschoolers have so much trouble keeping finger puppets on, much less removing one at a time, while also singing. This will make them feel more confident in the learning and they will want to share to any available audience. Thanks so much, Carolyn