Check out these fun indoor games for kids – all using a pumpkin! So many fun and easy ways to play!
Pumpkins are pretty much the perfect playthings. They’re round (perfect for rolling and tossing), they’re heavy (awesome for bowling and just knocking things down in general), and they have all kinds of gooey, slimy stuff inside. What more could a kid ask for?
Today, we’ll use this classic symbol of fall for some relay race fun that targets gross motor skills, midline crossing, strengthening, and body awareness!
Want to extend the pumpkin theme while teaching kids about feelings? Try this pumpkin feelings set! It includes all kinds of printables with a pumpkin theme that will help kids explore emotions.
Or, check out this preschool pumpkin classification and order activity!
What you’ll need
-A group of kids
-A few small pumpkins – you’ll want to choose pumpkins that have a little weight, but ones that kids can lift without too much trouble (pie pumpkins work great). Have a few different sizes and weights on hand.
What to do
Relay Race 1
Position kids in a line and tell them to place their hands on the person’s shoulders in front of them and then straighten out their arms (to make sure there’s some space between each child).
Give the pumpkin to the first person in line and have her pass it over her head to the person behind her. Have the kids pass the pumpkin this way all the way to the back of the line and then back to the front.
Relay Race 2
As in Relay Race 1, position kids in a line and ensure that there is enough space between each person. Now, have the first person in line pass the pumpkin through her legs to the person behind her. Have the kids pass the pumpkin to the end of the line this way and then back to the first person in line.
Relay Race 3
Position kids in a line, but this time, have them sit or stand side-by-side. Give the pumpkin to the first person in the line and show her how to pass the pumpkin to the person next to her using both hands. Again, have the kids pass the pumpkin all the way down the line and then back to the beginning!
See below for other ideas to spice up your pumpkin relays!
How to change it up
-Try each type of relay with the different types of pumpkins (heavy, medium, light). Ask the kids to describe how it felt to pass the different pumpkins down the line. Could they do it faster with the lighter pumpkin? Did they get tired with the heavier pumpkin?
-Line up two teams and have them race against each other, or, if you only have enough kids for one team, have them try to beat their time with each type of relay!
-Challenge kids to see how fast they can do all 3 relays in succession (pass the pumpkin through legs to the back of the line, overhead to the front of the line, and then side to side to the back of the line)!
Skill areas addressed
Gross motor skills, motor control, coordination, strength, midline crossing, proprioception, social skills
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Great idea! Thank you.
This is a great group activity. I am doing it this week with all my preschoolers!
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