Pumpkin Carving Sensory

• Pumpkin carving presents many wonderful opportunities for sensory experiences! Simply by carving a pumpkin you are engaging their senses! In order to further these experiences, we have listed some options below. (All follow and adult having already opened the pumpkin)

​

Option 1: Pumpkin guts play

• This option is the most simple of the three we list but it is also an awesome one. 

  • 6 months + or still laying: Place some pumpkin guts in front of your child and let them squeeze it in their hands. (Just watch them putting it into their mouths)​

  • 9 months + or sitting up on own: Place the pumpkin guts into a bowl and let your child play! They can drop it, squish it etc. You could even hide some Halloween toys in it for them to find!

  • 12 Months + : Some children at this age may be able to help you pull the guts out of the pumpin and place them in a bowl. (Watch closely that they do not put seeds into their mouths). This is a great way for them to gain beginning sorting skills.

​

Option 2: Pumpkin Seed Shaker

• After having sorted all of the seeds out of the pumpkin we recommend roasting them! Keep some to eat and some for the shaker. (Having roasted them first will help that they don't grow mold as quickly).

• Fill the bottle half-full (or less) with pumpkin seeds. Then you can add other Halloween items in as well (for example spiders or mini pumpkins or even orange pom poms. 

• Seal the bottle tightly so it cannot be opened and let your child play!

​

Option 3: Pumpkin Guts Bag

• This option is similar to option 1 however it is less messy. Simply place the pumpkin guts into a zipper bag and seal tightly. Let your child play! 

• To engage them further, you could place Halloween items inside of the bag as well to find. If you do this we highly recommend double-bagging. 

​