Alright, Target Dollar Spot. I came, saw, and conquered. These little erasers screamed my name all the way from the diaper aisle. And because of this, Save the Pumpkins, a fine-motor Halloween activity, has arrived! Pumpkin squeeze to begin the day with play? Yes, please! I will take all the low-prep fine motor play prompts to welcome fall.
RELATED: Mini pumpkins are the perfect addition to these 31 Halloween ideas for October.
Squeezing = Pencil Grip
One of the most important ways to help your child hold a pencil is to strengthen hand muscles by using tongs, scissors, and movements with pliable textures such as play dough.
Save the Pumpkins playfully forces your child to use a pencil grip to save the pumpkins from the hot lava. – Please tell me everything your child does revolves around not stepping on the hot lava?!?
Remember, speak their language. What makes your preschooler tic? It was hot lava for us, and they were all over this game.
RELATED: These 50+ Fine Motor Activities are a blast!
Pumpkin Squeeze Supplies
When creating easy preschool activities, I consider how to use the same supplies repeatedly. As you bop around our Halloween activities here at Days with Grey, you will notice them used differently.
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Halloween Mini Erasers
Grab this pack of mini Halloween erasers, and you will see many ways to play.
Jumbo Tweezers
These tweezers come with way more than you would ever need. But have no fear! You can keep some and add others to future birthday gifts. Like the jumbo droppers, these tweezers will help strengthen hands for writing, buttoning, and eventually typing those middle school essays.
Setup
- First, I place pumpkin erasers on the table. Stand the pumpkins upright for a better grab.
- Next, set aside one pair of tongs for each child and a jar for each collection.
- I added a quick sign, “Save the Pumpkins!” to help with my hot lava pitch.
RELATED: Love fall? You will have a blast with our 50+ Fall Activities for Kids.
What is your child learning?
What’s happening behind the scenes with this preschool activity?
For starters, your preschooler is learning to take creative ideas and make them their own. That sure is a lot better than a worksheet.
Your preschooler is also getting their little hands ready to hold a pencil. These tongs suggest your child use a pencil grip to pick up the pumpkins. Trust me. Your preschooler will leave no pumpkin in the lava.
Hand-eye coordination and transporting are also essential skills being practiced. This helps reinforce concepts such as weight and space.
And finally, this is helping me get a minute to myself. You can use Pumpkin Squeeze as your next Breakfast Invitation or when it is time to make dinner.
Craving a calmer morning?
Breakfast Invitations are simple learning games to begin the day with play.
More pumpkin activities, please!
You got it. Here are a few more of my favorite pumpkin activities for kids.
FAQ
The jumbo tweezers require effort to squeeze; remember, that is also how we build up fine motor strength. Allow your toddler or preschooler to squeeze and grasp using the tongs until they are tired. Pinching to pick up the mini erasers with fingers is also an excellent way to improve pencil grip.
We adore Room on the Broom, Creepy Carrots, Spooky Pooky, and The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything.
September is back to school with sharpened pencils and apples. Spend time keeping apples in the spotlight before pumpkins take over! Here are 30 fall activities for toddlers and preschoolers.
