Pumpkin Life Cycle Activities for Preschool and Early Elementary

Hi teacher friends!

Let me introduce you to Katy Miller, a PreK–4 and Special Education major at Grove City College. Katy recently created a fun and engaging lesson centered around the pumpkin life cycle—and it’s packed with hands-on learning and fall-themed fun!

Engaging Pumpkin Life Cycle Activities for Young Learners

During her fall field placement at a local elementary school, Katy designed a lesson that combined literacy, science, and sensory play. She began by reading Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington, a seasonal favorite that her students loved.

To kick off the lesson, students shared their favorite fall activities—carving pumpkins was a top pick! Katy then read the book aloud, encouraging students to join in and finish sentences with her. This interactive reading helped reinforce vocabulary and comprehension.

After the story, the class explored the pumpkin life cycle using play dough to model each stage—from seed to sprout to pumpkin. The students became “pumpkin inspectors,” identifying each step and discussing how pumpkins grow.

Bonus Activity: Sweet Pumpkin Treats

To wrap up the lesson, Katy surprised the students with a post-lunch treat! They created edible pumpkins using graham crackers, orange icing, and candy corn to make Jack-O-Lanterns. This fun, hands-on activity reinforced the theme and provided students with an opportunity to be creative.

Teaching Moment: Meeting Students Where They Are

Katy shared a powerful takeaway from her experience in an Autistic support classroom. One student was hesitant to participate, but with encouragement and support from the classroom teacher, the other student’s enthusiasm became contagious. Eventually, the reluctant student joined in too a reminder that patience and peer modeling can go a long way.

Why Pumpkin Life Cycle Activities Work

• They connect science and literacy in a meaningful way

• They offer sensory and hands-on learning opportunities

• They engage students with seasonal themes they love

• They’re adaptable for various learning needs and grade levels

Your Turn!

What are your favorite pumpkin life cycle activities or fall-themed literacy pairings? Share your ideas in the comments below—we’d love to hear how you bring seasonal learning to life in your classroom!

Connect with Dr. Sam Fecich

Want to keep the conversation going beyond the blog? I’d love to connect with you! Whether you're a future educator, a current teacher, or someone passionate about edtech and innovation in the classroom, there are plenty of ways to stay inspired and supported.

Discover Your Student Teacher Superpower. Take the free quiz: What’s Your Student Teacher Superpower? and uncover your unique strengths in the classroom!

Join the Conversation on Instagram. Tag me @sfecich with your thoughts and takeaways.

Remember, EDUmagicians...You have the EduMagic within you. Keep shining, keep growing, and keep making a difference.