Come on in and learn how to use colorful pumpkin seeds to create pumpkin seed art in preschool. You are definitely going to want to add this to your list of must-do preschool pumpkin activities.
Related: Name Activities with Colorful Pumpkin Seeds
This activity came about in the best way possible – the children instigated it.
I’m a big proponent of following the children’s lead when it comes to topics to explore, preschool themes to plan, and skills to practice.
Of course, there’s always an overarching plan in place. But there’s also always enough wiggle room to integrate ideas that engage the children.
Preschool magic happens when the kids are engaged and have ownership over their learning.
So, back to the children instigating some awesome pumpkin seed art.
The conversation came about on the tail end of exploring how to dye pumpkin seeds and make them into pumpkin seed discovery bottles.
We all had a blast with that process, and our colorful seeds had been in the science center for a while.
One day, a few of the children asked if we could use those seeds to make some art.
My response: “Pumpkin seed art?! Of course!”
Can you tell I was a little excited? Read below to find out about our process.
Related: Pumpkin Seed Turkey Thanksgiving Art
Preschool Pumpkin Seed Art
Here’s what we did.
It’s a super simple process, so I’m confident you’ll be able to replicate it in your classroom, too.
Materials We Used
Dyed pumpkin seeds
If you haven’t already, you can read here how to dye pumpkin seeds. You’ll need some dry pumpkin seeds (we just got ours at the store) and liquid watercolors.
Related: Fine Motor Pumpkin Activity and Sensory Play
Directions for Pumpkin Seed Art
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to set everything up.
We grabbed some paper and glue, along with a bowl full of our dyed pumpkin seeds, and sat down at the art table.
Since it was a group of students who’d requested this art invitation, I already had a crowd around me.
As you’re setting up the materials, you might find your students popping by to see what’s going on.
Otherwise, you can invite a few children over to the art center with you.
Then basically explain that the kids can use the materials to create whatever art they’d like to.
Depending on your preferences, you could also encourage the children to grab some additional materials.
That’s really about it in terms of directions.
That’s one of the great things about process art for kids – you set up the materials and leave creativity for the children.
Don’t worry, they can handle it!
Related: Pumpkin Geoboard Pumpkin Math
Pumpkin Seed Art Video Tutorial
Here’s a quick video to show you how you can get pumpkin seed art ready in your own classroom!
After you watch it, be sure to read about how my students ran with the idea.
Related: Pumpkin Crafts for Preschoolers
How My Students Created
Oh how I love observing children as they play, create, and learn. And inevitably bring me into a fun conversation.
Some of the children just loved running their fingers through the seeds.
Others wanted to glue the seeds all over their paper.
A few wanted to create something specific, but couldn’t decide what they wanted to make.
We ended up chatting with me about the pumpkin seeds for a while. We chatted about our observations, commenting on the different colors, the scent of the seeds, and how they felt.
Then we got on the topic of the shape of the seeds. I mentioned that they were tear-drop shaped, which led into a side discussion all about tears.
It’s preschool – we get into a lot of interesting side discussions, right!?
Once the tear-drop conversation dried up, one of the kiddos said, “The seeds look like leaves!”
That led to the decision to make fall tree pumpkin seed art. Which is what a few of us ended up doing!
We looked out the windows and observed how the trees looked so we could draw the trunks and branches.
A few of the children were insistent that I needed to make my own art project while I was there.
It didn’t take much to convince me. Sitting and creating WITH the children is just plain fun.
After we drew our tree trunks, it was onto adding the seeds. I found it interesting to observe which children added one or two and which children went wild with adding seeds to their trees.
In the end, everyone seemed rather happy with how things turned out!
It is so interesting to observe how children come up with different ideas. It’s even more fun to be a part of that process.
Preschool Pumpkin Lesson Plans
Preschool Teacher 101’s pumpkin theme lesson plans have more than 180 pages of daily and weekly plans, center explanations, book suggestions, and related printables.
They will make planning your preschool pumpkin theme a breeze.
Have you ever created fall seed art with your students?
If you do so, be sure to share it on Fun-A-Day’s Facebook page or tag Fun-A-Day on Instagram!
More Ways to Use Pumpkin Seeds
Here are a few more ideas for using pumpkin seeds. You can use dyed seeds or just plain seeds.
Pumpkin Seed Counting Game from Mama.Papa.Bubba
Pumpkin Seed Puzzles from I Can Teach My Child
Indian Corn Craft from I Heart Crafty Things
Originally published on October 29, 2015.
The post How to Make Colorful Pumpkin Seed Art in Preschool appeared first on Fun-A-Day!.