The season of Pumpkin Spice and everything nice is upon us. But did you know pumpkins are not only just for carving on Halloween, decorating your porch with, or making a pie? They’re also packed full of interesting facts, from their vibrant color to the way they grow on vines. Let’s get into some fun pumpkin facts and explore how you can turn your love for pumpkins into a hands-on learning experience with a Pumpkin Unit Study for kids.
Related: Printable Thanksgiving Activity Placemats For Kids
Pumpkin Facts For Kids
Pumpkins are more than just a staple of autumn decorations and Halloween jack-o’-lanterns. They are fascinating fruits with a lot of interesting facts! Here’s a fun guide for kids to learn all about pumpkins.
Fact #1: Pumpkins are technically a fruit, not a vegetable. That’s right, they belong to the same family as melons, cucumbers, and squash. So next time someone calls you a vegetable head, just tell them you’re a fruity pumpkin instead. LOL.
Fact #2: A world record pumpkin. In 2023, the largest pumpkin ever recorded weighed over 2,700 pounds! That’s like having your own personal orange-colored Volkswagen Beetle sitting in your backyard. Talk about making a statement.
Fact #3: Pumpkin seeds are superfoods. Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are packed with nutrients. They’re full of vitamins and minerals that are good for you. You can roast them for a crunchy snack!
Fact #4: Pumpkins help animals. Wildlife loves pumpkins too! Squirrels, deer, and birds all enjoy munching on pumpkins. After Halloween, we put our leftover pumpkins on the neighborhood trail for the animals to eat.
Fact #5: Pumpkin is a color. Pumpkin isn’t just a fruit; it’s also a color! The bright orange hue we’re familiar with, pumpkins are actually named after them.
Fact #6: Pumpkin flowers are edible. If you’ve ever seen a pumpkin plant, you’ve probably noticed its big yellow flowers. These flowers are edible and are used in some recipes around the world.
Fact #7: Pumpkin plants sprout. Pumpkin plants grow fast and can spread out a lot. In the right conditions, a pumpkin vine can grow up to 20 feet long in just one growing season!
Fact #8: Pumpkins and Halloween. The tradition of carving pumpkins comes from an old Irish story about a man named Jack who tricked the devil. The Irish used turnips for this, but when they came to America, they found pumpkins were easier to carve.
Related: Fun & Educational Printable Halloween Activities For Kids
Pumpkin Unit Study
Now let’s get into a full-on Pumpkin Unit Study for kids. Pumpkins also make a phenomenal subject for a fun and educational unit study for preschoolers and kindergartners. From learning about the life cycle of a pumpkin to exploring the different ways they can be used in cooking. Start by introducing pumpkins in a way that’s engaging. Show the kids a real pumpkin and let them touch it. Discuss its color, shape, and texture.
What you’ll find:
- Cover page.
- Labeled pumpkin life cycle.
- Labeling pumpkin life cycle activity.
- Labeled pumpkin anatomy.
- Labeling pumpkin anatomy activity.
- Anatomy and life cycle icons.
- Pumpkin fun facts for kids.
- Types of pumpkins.
I recommend laminating each page for longevity. Removable pieces can be attached with velcro dots.
What you will need: printer, laminator, scissors and velcro dots.
Life Cycle of a Pumpkin:
- Use the simple diagram that’s easy for preschoolers and kindergartners to follow to show the stages of a pumpkin’s life cycle: seed, sprout, flower, green pumpkin, and mature pumpkin.
- Grow a pumpkin from seed in a small pot or garden bed. Kids can observe and chart its growth.
Pumpkin Anatomy:
- Cut open a pumpkin and explore its insides. Discuss the seeds, pulp, and rind. Let the children scoop out the seeds and pulp, which is a great sensory activity.
Float or Sink:
- Do a simple experiment by placing a pumpkin in water to see if it floats or sinks. Discuss why or why not, and explore concepts like buoyancy.
Counting Seeds:
- After scooping out the seeds, count them together. You can sort them by size or color and make simple patterns.
Pumpkin Sorting:
- Gather various mini pumpkins and gourds. Sort them by size, color, or shape. This helps with introducing basic math concepts.
Pumpkin Painting:
- Provide small pumpkins and a variety of paints. Let them paint their pumpkins with bright colors and patterns.
Pumpkin Prints:
- Cut a pumpkin in half and use it as a stamp with paint to create pumpkin prints on paper.
Pumpkin Vocabulary:
- Introduce new words related to pumpkins (like “gourd,” “vine,” “harvest”) and use them in sentences. Create a pumpkin word wall with pictures and words.
Pumpkin Spice Playdough:
- Make or buy pumpkin spice Playdough for a sensory experience that also introduces the smells and textures associated with pumpkins.
Pumpkin Hunt:
- Hide small pumpkins or pumpkin-themed objects around the playground, house or classroom and have a scavenger hunt.
Pumpkin investigation:
- Grab a few different types of pumpkins (small ones work best) and have fun exploring their size, shape, color, weight, texture and so on.
Related: Free Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt For Preschoolers
Pumpkins may be a staple of fall decor and all things pumpkin spice, but they also offer endless learning opportunities for kids. From math and science to crafts and art, the Pumpkin Unit Study is a fun way to explore this versatile fruit (yes, it’s technically a fruit, remember?). Have a blast exploring all things pumpkin this fall season!
Happy studying, little pumpkins!
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