Note: Parents please feel free to print this page as a resource.
Pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. They are fun to grow, carve, and eat! Discover how a pumpkin grows, and then take a look at the recipe, coloring page, and craft below for more pumpkin fun.
How Does a Pumpkin Grow?
Pumpkins grow best in warm, sunny places. Seeds are planted in the ground having about 4 to 5 seeds together in a circle and the seed piles about 6 to 8 inches apart from each other. Each hole that contains the 4 to 5 seeds must be about 4 inches deep. Pumpkin seeds need to be planted on small mounds or hills, and not on a flat surface.
It takes about 7 to 14 days for the seeds to crack and sprout leaves. It is very important not to disturb the soil once you plant your seeds. You could break the delicate roots that begin to grow under the soil immediately.
How Do You Take Care of Pumpkins?
Pumpkins will undoubtedly have visitors come along while they are growing. Insects and other little critters will want to taste these yummy plants. Some people will use pesticides to kill the bugs, while others prefer the organic method and just keep a watchful on visitors.
In order to help young pumpkins grow healthy and strong, it is important to keep weeds out of the mound and make sure that the pumpkins are receiving water. You can gently turn the pumpkin in a new position to help with its shape. By changing positions, you will help develop the nice round shape that so many people like.
For more information on how pumpkins grow, click here!
Field Trip Idea
Don't miss the chance to visit a Pumpkin Patch in your neighborhood this season. Some places offer hayrides, the chance for kids to pick out their own pumpkins to take home, hot apple cider, and other fun activities! Get a group together for homeschool rates.
Pumpkin Squares
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 2 cup Bisquick
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 container cream cheese frosting
Directions:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat sugar, oil, pumpkin, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir in Bisquick and cinnamon.
- Pour mixture into a greased 15" x 10" x 1" jelly roll pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes and let cool.
- Frost and cut into 2" x 1" bars.
- Store unused portions in the refrigerator.
Pumpkin Picture Frame
Materials:
- Orange and green foam
- 2 large wiggly eyes
- 1 small green pompom
- 2 green pipe cleaners
- Glue
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Permanent black marker
Directions:
- Print out the template below.
- Cut out the pumpkin, leaves, and stem.
- Trace the pumpkin onto a piece of orange foam.
- Trace the leaves and stem onto a piece of green foam.
- Cut out all the pieces of foam, including the center piece of the pumpkin where the picture will go.
- Glue the leaves to the front of the pumpkin.
- Glue the stem to the back of the frame.
- Glue on the wiggly eyes and the nose (green pompom) above the cut out portion of the pumpkin.
- Wrap each end of both pipe cleaners around a pencil to make it curl. Glue the pipe cleaners to the center back of the frame. This will make four vines.
- Add veins to the leaves with the black permanent marker.
- Once all the glue dries, tape a picture into the back of the frame.
Pumpkin Coloring Page
Print out the Pumpkin coloring page below for more pumpkin fun!
