A Last Look at Pumpkins – Painting Patterns
If you have any pumpkins left – and I hope you do – there is one last creative art project you can do with the children that will promote the concept of patterning.
Pumpkins have natural grooves in them that go from the root of the stem to the bottom. The are usually parallel to one another and create this sense of having “stripes” all around.
It might be fun to have the children paint their pumpkins as a “last hurrah” for the pumpkin unit. (I would probably do some sort of cooking activity as well – i.e. healthy pumpkin bread.) Painting the pumpkins with a pattern of color might be interesting to some of the children. You could show them the stripes and then explain that patterns are something that repeat in a predictable way. If you have an American flag, you could show the children the red and white stripes and explain that the red,white, red, white, design is a pattern, because it repeats.
Ask the children if they want to make patterns on their pumpkins. Some may, some may not. Some may want to simply paint their pumpkins in their own creative way. I would encourage that as well. For those who want to create a pattern, ask them what colors they want in their patterns and then set them up with the paint, pumpkin, and brushes, on a covered table. This one is gonna get messy!
I love this idea and never thought about painting a pumpkin using a pattern using the lines.
I am going to have to try this next fall
This is a great idea. I am going to do this.
This is a great idea. It allows students to be creative, artistic, and to also use fine motor and pattern skills.
Great idea! It incorporates art, individuality, and patterns.
Jennifer W. I love how we can take something so simple like a pumpkin and create a pattern with it.
After we use the pumpkin to paint a pattern on, we will cut it open and use the sides to make patterns on the outer portion as well as the seeds. I never would have thought of some many things for a pumpkin.
i love this idea its amazing how we can use a pumpkin to make a pattern
Great idea, I like the artistic slant on making stripes on the pumpkin.
Love the idea of painting with patterns!
This sounds like a lot of fun!
Great idea! Using the pumpkins as a canvas sounds like it would be lots of fun!
What an awesome idea using pumpkins as pattern on them. Will use!
Love this idea I so would use this
Love this idea!! it’s so creative and it’s a fun way for kids to do activities about patterns.
I like this activity and the flexibility it offers. This will work with paint or sticker stars. Many options.
this is a great way to show patterns
Great way to incorporate patterns into a theme you are already exploring.
I hadn’t thought of this fun and artsy project to help with learning patters. So great!
nancy mendez
I love this idea what a wonder math theme for fall.
I have taught kindergarten for years and yes, we’ve explored the line patterns on pumpkins, but never took it to the next step of painting these patterns. Great idea!
I would have never thought of using a pumpkin painting activities for patterns. I’m definitely going to use that this fall.
This is a great way to use patterns.