Sensory Mosaic Pumpkins – Pumpkin Template
Materials Needed: One Pumpkin Template per child, a variety of textured materials for the children to explore and decorate their pumpkins with (cereal, beans, candy corn, Indian corn, seeds, cotton balls, wall paper scraps, fabric scraps, old magazine pictures, etc.), liquid glue, paint brushes, art smocks/t-shirts, scissors.
Set out a variety of items that the children could choose from to decorate their pumpkins. Remind the children that the items are for putting on their pumpkins and not into their mouths. Let the children look at and feel the different textures to determine what materials they would like on their pumpkins. Have the children use paint brushes to put the liquid glue on their pumpkin (have them “paint” just a small part and not the whole pumpkin to begin.) Alternate brushing on the glue and putting the items in place on the pumpkin. Older children can use the materials to make “mosaic” patterns on the pumpkins. It is fun to see what each child decides to use! Each pumpkin is as unique as the child who made it.
Banana Pudding a la HALLOWEEN – *remind the children to WASH hands before handling food
Ingredients: Vanilla Wafers (approx. 1/2 bag for 4 bowls), 1 small package of banana pudding (large spoons or 5 oz paper cups to transfer the pudding to individual bowls), milk (meauring cup), 2 bananas (plastic knives or craft sticks to cut the bananas), 1 carton whipped topping (if no allergies in your classroom, orange food coloring can be added to the whipped topping), cherries or decorations for the top. (MAKES 4 SERVINGS)
Ahead of time: prepare the pudding according to the package directions and chill in the refrigerator. When ready for the children to assemble, fold 1/2 of the carton of whipped topping into the pudding and set aside (reserve 1/2 of the topping for later.) We chose Halloween-themed bowls for our puddings, but you can use any containers that are available or that the children like. Have the children put 4 vanilla wafers into the bottom of their bowls. Next, peel the bananas and use plastic knives or craft sticks to cut the bananas into slices. Let the children put several banana slices on top of the vanilla wafers. Using a large spoon or a 5 oz paper cup, have the children transfer the pudding mixture to to their bowls. Spread the pudding around the bowl with the bottom of the spoon or the cup (younger children will need assistance dipping and spreading the pudding mixture.) If desired, the children can put more vanilla wafers around the edge of the bowl. To top the pudding bowls, let the children use spoonfuls of the reserved whipped topping, more vanilla wafers, and a cherry or other Halloween decorations. We gave our puddings away to our parents as a gift, but the children love this pudding, too!
What special traditions do you and your family have during the Fall?
Creating special moments with our children are important. Try to choose one or two activities that the entire family might enjoy doing together. Each Fall, we buy a commercial haunted house and build it as a family. Our adult kids even look forward to helping with the, sometimes tedious, construction. We also visit the local pumpkin patch and pick out pumpkins to carve together. We make soup, apple pie, roast pumpkin seeds, and carve our pumpkins. We have enjoyed those times together each fall for many years. If you have some special traditions for your own family, please register on the home page and leave a comment to share with others!
Our new Thanksgiving Theme will be posting soon! For more great ideas see Preschool and Kindergarten Themes for Active Learning and Play at The Preschool Toolbox Blog! Be sure to check back next week for a preview post of special holiday ideas for your children!