Sticky pumpkin and toddlers are a combo meant to be together.

It is hysterical to watch a young child’s expression as their hand sticks and slowly peels off the paper. Sticky pumpkin is a fun fall activity to explore this adhesive as you hopefully get to enjoy from the sidelines.

RELATED: Looking for more ideas for fall? I have 50 activities for autumn here!

I taped the sticky contact paper, and my 16-month-old and three-year-old came running over.

“What is this?”

“It’s sticky!”

“Hey, look! My hand is stuck!”

My three-year-old had so much to say and experience as he took his first look.

Now true, we have done activities with sticky paper in the past. But perhaps it has been too long.

Remember toddler activities do not have to be complicated. Simple setups and easy explorations to play are best! Bonus: Picking up these small pieces of paper helps preschoolers prepare for pencil grip!

Materials:

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Just like our toddler toy list, these supplies have many uses! 

Simple Set-Up:

• Hang a large square on your wall. I like to use painters tape.

• Draw a fall picture on your contact paper. Here, I drew a pumpkin.

• A quick tip: Use pictures in a book to help you with your illustrations!

• Place your squares below the contact paper.

• Invite your toddler, or preschooler to come to stick. They will bend down to pick up the tissue paper and extend their arm to place it on the contact paper.

RELATED: Are you ready to paint with your toddler? This genius idea will get you started. 

So what’s the BIG idea behind this toddler activity?

Here, your toddler or preschooler is working on a vertical surface. This is strengthening his core and arm muscles for future skills such as throwing and swinging.

Your child is also discovering new textures.

According to, Loose Parts TWO, “Touching is the most fundamental means of contact with the world.”

The book continues to state, “Since our skin is one of the most sensitive parts of our body and provides much information about the world and its messages, it makes sense that young children spend so much time exploring how touch feels to their bodies”.

Isn’t that powerful?!

Sounds like touch and texture needs to be integrated into more daily preschool activities. We also included even more sensory activities like this in 31 Activities for Halloween.

Make this easy toddler, preschool activity for fall today!