Explore Pumpkins Through Eight Multi-Sensory Cross-Curricular Activities
Transform your Year 1 classroom with this comprehensive pumpkin-themed resource featuring eight engaging activities that explore science, art, maths, and cooking through hands-on investigation and sensory exploration of this versatile autumn vegetable.
Eight Complete Activities Included:
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Plant A Pumpkin Seed: Experience the complete journey from seed to pumpkin! Plant pumpkin seeds and observe them germinate and grow, developing understanding of plant life cycles and what plants need to thrive
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My Senses And The Pumpkin: Explore pumpkins using all five senses! Touch the bumpy skin, smell the fresh scent, taste cooked pumpkin, hear the hollow sound when tapped, and observe the vibrant colour—developing sensory awareness and descriptive vocabulary
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Life Cycle Of A Pumpkin: Follow the amazing transformation from tiny seed to giant pumpkin! Explore germination, vine growth, flowering, pollination, and fruit development, understanding the complete life cycle of this fascinating plant
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Draw A Pumpkin: Develop observational drawing skills by sketching real pumpkins! Notice the shape, ridges, stem, and colour, creating detailed drawings that capture the unique characteristics of pumpkins
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Pumpkin Volcano: Create an exciting chemical reaction inside a pumpkin! Use bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to make a pumpkin 'erupt,' exploring basic chemistry concepts through spectacular, hands-on experimentation
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Sink Or Float: Investigate whether pumpkins sink or float! Test whole pumpkins, pumpkin pieces, and seeds in water, discovering density concepts and making predictions based on observations
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Pumpkin Printing: Create beautiful autumn artwork using pumpkin printing! Cut pumpkins to reveal interesting patterns and textures, using them as stamps to make colourful prints while exploring shape and pattern
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Cooking With Pumpkins: Transform pumpkins from plant to food! Make pumpkin soup or other pumpkin recipes, understanding that pumpkins are edible and developing basic cooking skills and food awareness
Why Teachers Choose This Resource:
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Cross-Curricular Excellence: Seamlessly combines Science, Art & Design, Design & Technology, and Maths objectives
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Multi-Sensory Learning: Engages all five senses for rich, memorable learning experiences
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Hands-On Exploration: Practical activities that make learning tangible and exciting
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Ready to Use: Complete lesson plans with learning objectives, equipment lists, and step-by-step instructions
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Seasonal Relevance: Perfect for autumn term when pumpkins are readily available and topical
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Age-Appropriate: Activities specifically designed for 5-6 year olds with achievable, engaging tasks
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Develops Multiple Skills: Builds scientific knowledge, artistic abilities, and practical life skills
Perfect For:
- Year 1 Science lessons on plants and life cycles
- Autumn-themed cross-curricular topic work
- Harvest festival educational activities
- Homeschool science and art curriculum
- Multi-sensory learning experiences
- Building understanding of plants, food, and seasonal changes
Learning Outcomes:
Through these activities, children will observe and describe how seeds grow into mature plants, identify and describe the basic structure of plants, use all five senses to explore and describe objects, understand the life cycle of flowering plants, develop observational drawing skills, explore basic scientific concepts including density and chemical reactions, and understand that some plants provide food we can eat.
What Makes This Resource Special:
Pumpkins are perfect for learning—they're large, colourful, seasonal, and endlessly fascinating to young children. These activities use pumpkins as a vehicle for exploring multiple curriculum areas, from planting seeds to cooking soup. The multi-sensory approach ensures all children can engage, regardless of learning style, making learning accessible and memorable.
Seasonal and Relevant:
Autumn brings pumpkins into shops, gardens, and homes, making them topical and readily available. By using this seasonal vegetable as a learning focus, children connect classroom learning to the world around them, understanding seasonal cycles and the journey from seed to harvest to table.
Building Real-World Connections:
From planting seeds to cooking soup, these activities help children understand where food comes from and how plants grow. The pumpkin volcano adds excitement and wonder, while sensory exploration and printing develop observation and artistic skills—creating a rich, varied learning experience that engages head, hands, and heart.
Bring pumpkin learning to life! These engaging activities help Year 1 students explore science, art, maths, and cooking through hands-on pumpkin investigations that make learning multi-sensory, seasonal, and genuinely exciting—building knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm across multiple curriculum areas.
