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Play, Learn, and Grow with Pumpkins

Pumpkins aren’t just for carving! They’re healthy, fun, and great for learning, too.

Pumpkins are full of good stuff like vitamins A and C. These help keep your child’s eyes healthy and support their immune system, which helps them fight off sickness. Pumpkins also have fiber, which helps with digestion and keeps your child feeling full longer.

Mother and baby carving a pumpkin together

You don’t need to spend money to enjoy pumpkins with your child.

Whole, fresh pie pumpkins are generally approved for purchase with WIC benefits. However, ornamental or decorative pumpkins, like those used for carving or painting, are not typically eligible.

Blue compass rose with directional arrows pointing outward

Look for “whole, fresh pie pumpkins” when shopping with WIC benefits, then try these easy, low-to-no-cost activities to help your little one grow strong and learn new skills.

sofia's story Low-to-No-Cost Pumpkin Activities

1 Pumpkin Washing Party

Woman and child washing a pumpkin together in kitchen

Let your child give a pumpkin a bath with soap, water, and a sponge or rag. Talk about the color, shape, and texture.

This helps with:

  • Hand strength
  • Talking and listening skills
  • Learning new words like “smooth” and “round”

3 Scooping Seeds

Child scooping pumpkin guts with a spoon

Cut open a pumpkin and let your child scoop out the seeds with a spoon or their hands. Sure, it’s messy – but it’s also really fun! Help manage the mess by putting down newspaper or an old towel to protect surfaces and make clean up easier.

Scooping out pumpkin seeds helps with:

  • Hand strength and fine motor skills
  • Sensory play (touch and feel)
  • Learning about healthy foods

5 Pumpkin Taste Test

Baby eagerly eating from a spoon

Cook a small piece of pumpkin or use canned pumpkin (just pumpkin—no sugar added). Let your child try it plain or mixed into oatmeal, yogurt, or soup.

Talk about:

  • How it looks, tastes, and feels
  • Why pumpkins are healthy (they have vitamins that help eyes and skin!)

7 Pumpkin Story Time

Woman reading a book with child on couch

Pumpkin Story Time

Sit with your child and tell a short story about a pumpkin—real or pretend. Or read a pumpkin-themed book from your library. Here are a couple quick stories about The Little Pumpkin and The Jolly Old Pumpkin you can read for free online.

Reading with your child helps with:

  • Language and thinking skills
  • Bonding time
  • Early reading habits

2 Pumpkin Rolling Races

Children playing with a pumpkin outdoors in autumn

Pick a safe space indoors or outdoors. Choose a starting line and a finish line, then let your child roll a small pumpkin across the floor. How long does it take to roll the pumpkin from one end to the other? Take turns and cheer each other on!

This builds:

  • Big body movement (gross motor skills)
  • Balance and coordination
  • Taking turns

4 Pumpkin Seed Counting

Mother and child sorting seeds at table together

After scooping out the pumpkin seeds, rinse and dry them. Then count them together! Make little piles of 5 or 10.

This helps your child:

  • Practice counting and sorting
  • Work on focus and patience

6 Make a Pumpkin Face (no carving required!)

Child decorating pumpkin with paper cutouts at table

Grab some paper, scissors, markers, and glue. Help your child draw or cut out eyes, noses, and mouths, then let them glue silly faces on the pumpkin!

This supports:

  • Imagination
  • Learning about emotions
  • Art and creativity

8 Why Pumpkin Play Matters

Toddler in beanie holding a pumpkin outdoors

Why Pumpkin Play Matters

These activities help your child:

  • Build muscles.
  • Learn new words.
  • Try healthy foods.
  • Use their senses.
  • Feel proud of what they can do.
  • Have some fun!
White circular clock face showing time with dark hands

Did you know?

Pumpkins are more than just a fall decoration. They’re healthy, fun, and full of ways to help your child learn and grow. From washing and rolling to counting seeds and reading stories, pumpkin play builds strong bodies and curious minds. Best of all, these activities are low-cost or free—and full of smiles!

REFERENCES:

Ririro. (2024, August). The little pumpkin [PDF].
https://ririro.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/The-Little-Pumpkin_compressed-1.pdf

Ririro. (2023, June). The jolly old pumpkin [PDF].
https://ririro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/The-Jolly-Old-Pumpkin_compressed.pdf