Hi Everyone! This program is called Playing with STEM. It is a STEM program for 2-5 year olds. It is primarily play, because at that age, I just want to make science, technology, engineering and math fun!
In this program we learned about pumpkins. There were stations all around the room that the kids visit with their parents. Each station had a sign to give some instructions and a fun fact. Here are the pumpkin stations:
Pumpkin Patch Counting
The children added the correct number of pumpkins to each mat.
Pumpkin Catapult
The children launched orange pom-poms to try to get them in a target.
Pumpkin Guts
The children could mush around the pumpkin seeds and strands through the bag. Some kids even opened up the pumpkin the guts came from and touched that too!
Pumpkin Dough
Children used cinnamon scented dough with pumpkin parts:
Stem- small stick from a tree
Seeds- black beads
Vines- pipe cleaner
Leaf- green foam
This station was to teach them parts of the pumpkin and work on their hand strength.
Pumpkin Art
Paper craft with labels from the pumpkin parts.
Pumpkin Plants
Children put the pictures of pumpkin growth in the correct order.
Pumpkin Measuring
The children used a string or blocks to measure the height and circumference of some pumpkins. They could write their answers on a worksheet.
Pumpkin Sink or Float
It was a bit messy, but the kids enjoyed putting different size pumpkins into the water to see if they floated.
Picking Pumpkins
The young children need a physical activity, so I have added in faux pumpkins they can “pick” and place into a bucket or place in size order. I also made leaves on the Silhouette and vines with tissue paper.
Test Your Senses
The children were able to taste pepitas, pumpkin filling and pumpkin spice marshmallows.
We had a great turnout for this program, and we are getting a great following!
Fun for Children at the Library 