We love a fun pumpkin activity. Even better? This an easy idea for fall that gets us outside and shares some laughs. Preschool pumpkin balance will challenge every family member to see who can walk slowly and steadily to the other side. (You’ll want to join in this game). This fall activity for kids is a blast. Let’s get started!
RELATED: Looking to add ideas to your fall playlist? Check out these 50+ Fall Activities!
Balancing the pumpkins isn’t easy, but it is a hoot trying.
It was the perfect fall day.
A day when we were still in shorts but also felt a light breeze in the air. It was time to get outside. Myself included.
I had mini pumpkins that we’d had for weeks, just about ready to decompose. So before tossing them aside, we added them to our heads for a fun balancing game! Remember, preschool play prompts and fun activities for kids are best when kept simple. Easy setups almost always seem to be the biggest wins.
RELATED: I have three active children. I bet you can relate! Here are my favorite gross motor activities to help redirect some of that energy inside and outside.
Balance helps with reading development
Sure, this looks like a fun game. But behind the scenes, the boys are also working on balance. Did you know that practicing balance contributes to reading?
The vestibular system is the sensory system that contributes to balance and spatial orientation—signals to the vestibular system project to learning or adaptation areas of your brain. Balance practice contributes significantly to reading eye movements, eye-hand coordination, balance, motor planning, etc. – Interesting, right?!
Pumpkin balance is a fun way to walk a straight line to strengthen the vestibular and sensory system.
RELATED: Another way to consistently practice balance is biking with kids. Read this guide to biking with kids. (from toddlers to big kids!)
Steps to set up
- Place a line for each child from one end of the driveway to the other. We used orange duct tape, and you can also use chalk. The idea is to get a straight walking path from one side to the other.
- Next, line up your pumpkins and place a dropping bin on the other side.
- Show your child how to place the pumpkin on your head and how you carefully look straight and walk it across. Looking down causes the pumpkin to fall off.
PRO TIP: Balancing may be a tricky task for kids. In that case, try playing together as a family. Sooner or later, everyone will join in the pumpkin activity!
More ways to play
After a few rounds, of the preschool pumpkin balance, we switched to pumpkin bowling.
And I think the boys were on to something!
Like the balance game, the boys held a steady hand, trying to get the pumpkin down the line to make it to the other side. They were engaged and learning some key science concepts through play.
The pumpkins were about to decompose, so it was a great way to keep the gross motor play going without worrying much about my fall decor.
When will you give Pumpkin Balance a try?
More pumpkin activities for kids
It is the end of October, and we are 31 days deep in pumpkin activities combined with Halloween ideas for kids.
We’ve played:
See that? I wasn’t kidding when I said pumpkin activities had been our jam this season! We can’t get enough.
Seasonal Activity Cards
No more searching for ideas. Here’s exactly what you need to celebrate fall, Halloween, winter, and Noon Year’s Eve.
You will ADORE these 20 all-new ideas.
Preschool Pumpkin Balance
Materials
- Chalk or Heavy Tape
- Mini pumpkins
Instructions
- Place a line for each child from one end of the driveway to the other. We used orange duct tape, and you can also use chalk. The idea is to get a straight walking path from one side to the other.
- Next, line up your pumpkins and place a dropping bin on the other side.
- Show your child how to place the pumpkin on your head and how you carefully look straight and walk it across. Looking down causes the pumpkin to fall off.
Notes
FAQ
Preschoolers enjoy learning about the change of seasons, investigating fall leaves, and activities involving apples or pumpkins. Think about what interests your child and allow them to revisit favorite activities.
The MVP of fall is jumping in leaves! Nothing brings kids more joy than messing up a crafted pile of leaves. Other fun ideas are apple picking, taking a ride to a pumpkin patch, and a corn maze!
Toddler activities need to be hands-on and simple to set up. This list of toddler activities has many easy ideas that kids enjoy.
