Friday, October 5, 2012

Pumpkin Science Experiment for Preschoolers/Kindergarten


This easy Halloween science experiment features pumpkins! Pumpkins are the perfect lab subject for preschoolers and other young children: they are festive, come in a variety of shapes and colors, look totally different on the inside and the outside, inspire curiosity, are easy to handle, vary in size, and are easy to obtain (at least in the Fall!).  They also provide many, many opportunities to investigate and do science projects!

And if you don't celebrate Halloween, this is a fun fall-themed science experiment too!

Your child can measure pumpkins' length and weight.  She can compare different colors and count the pumpkins you have available.  She can predict what the inside will look like or how many seeds she will find.  She can hypothesize about what materials will write, paint, or draw best on the pumpkin's surface.  And she can do this floating lab:

Simple Supplies:

** small pumpkins (an assortment is fun)
** a large bowl or bucket with water
** this free lab report form (optional...you can also use a science journal)

Easy How-to:

1- Ask your child to predict if his pumpkin will float or sink. Let him explain his reasons and, if he is old enough, record them on the report form.

2- Let your child experiment!

3- After he has noticed the results and talked about them with you, he will probably want to play with the pumpkin and the water.  This is just fine!  (You may want to move outside.)

4- Discuss the experiment and fill out the form.




5- What other questions does your child have?  What could you test next?  A few ideas: Will the pumpkin float if it is cut in half?  Will the seeds float?  Use the blank lab report form for any more experiments your child is interested in!

Younger children (including toddlers) love this science experiment.  Do not bother with a lab report form for children too young for it.  They will still learn from the sensory experience and the science language exposure during the science project.  They may, however, enjoy drawing a picture of their pumpkins afterward.



Are you looking for more Halloween Science Experiments? Check out our collection!! We love combining Halloween and science, and these are our favorites experiments and activities!



Happy Educating!
~Carla

I may share at any of these parties!

19 comments:

  1. What a fun science experiment! Thank you for linking up this week to my Enchanted Thursdays Blog Hop!

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  2. My kids are obsessed with water-play, so I'm sure they'll really like this experiment.

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  3. This is so adorable! What a fun lesson with pumpkins! Thanks for linking it up to Mommy Solutions! I will be featuring you today (Wednesday) on my Facebook page! Thanks again!

    Crystal

    PS- I hope you can make it to the Ella's Kitchen Twitter party! Organic food option for kiddos! :) http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2012/10/twitter-party-ellas-kitchen-is-helping-you-createsmiles-with-organic-baby-and-kid-food/.

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  4. What a great science experiment. It is so fun to do activities around the season =-)


    Thanks for linking up to TGIF! Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you linked up again on Friday,
    Beth =-)

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  5. Lilac, my kids love water play too! I moved the bucket of water outside after just a few minutes because I didn't want to worry about the mess it was making! The younger ones thought it was especially cool to drop it from "up high," watch it fall into the water, and then rise to the surface!

    Crystal, Thanks so much for sharing it! The twitter party sounds fun too!

    Beth, I agree--my kids just love any holiday!!

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  6. What a fun science project! My little guy probably isn't quite there to understanding this, but maybe next year. Thanks for the fun idea!

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  7. Great idea! I'd love for you to stop over and enter it in my Perfectly Pumpkin Contest at B-Inspired Mama on Monday.

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  8. interesting! and leaves so much room for predictions! thanks so much for linking up to tip-toe thru tuesday!

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  9. interesting! and leaves so much room for predictions! thanks so much for linking up to tip-toe thru tuesday!

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  10. I would never think to do something like this. What a great way to learn. Thanks for linking up to tip-toe thru tuesday. I hope we see you this week.

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  11. Erin, Even very young children love the texture of pumpkins...and the best part is that if they're still putting things in their mouths, pumpkins are edible!

    Thanks, Krissy! I'll be by!

    Thanks, Andie!

    Christy, It's a ton of fun...even for me!

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  12. I absolutely love how you took something so fun and made it into a learning lesson as well. I will have to remember this for the future. :)

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  13. Thanks for sharing on Tuesday Tots. I've featured your post this week on In Lieu of Preschool: http://inlieuofpreschool.blogspot.com/2012/10/pumpkins-on-tuesday-tots-linky.html Please feel free to stop by to grab a "Featured" button. Thanks again for linking up! Off to pin your post on the Tuesday Tots Pinterest board. :)

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  14. We did this once with a full size pumpkin in our bath tub, and my kids still talk about it 3 years later.

    Thanks for linking up to Science Sunday! Sorry I'm so late getting around and commenting.

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  15. That is a brilliant idea to caught the attention of the kids. Thanks!

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  16. nice experiment, younger must like it.

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  17. Love this! So simple and engaging for kids of different ages. Thanks for linking up to Discover & Explore!

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  18. What a fab idea, so simple and fun. Thanks for joining in with our Challenge. Emma @sciencesparks

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