Fall is the perfect time for creative activities, especially when it involves little ones and pumpkins! Preschoolers love painting, and when you combine that with the charm of “little pumpkins,” the result is delight. These mini gourds, easily available at your local grocery store, are not only fun to play with but also make colorful process art. Plus, at 2/$1, they’re a budget-friendly choice, making it possible for every child to have their very own pumpkin canvas. In this blog post, I’ll show you a quick and easy craft idea that will keep your preschoolers engaged and excited: Painted Mini Pumpkins Fall Craft for Kids.
Painted Mini Pumpkins Fall Craft
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Mini pumpkins (or gourds)
- Acrylic paints in various colors
- Paintbrushes
- Wet paper towels
- Paint smocks or old shirts
- Just add kids!
How to Create Painted Mini Pumpkins
Begin by setting up a designated area for the painting activity. Lay down some paper bags or a plastic tablecloth to catch any paint splatters. To avoid staining, provide the kids with paint smocks or let them wear old shirts.
Acrylic paint dries permanently, but it does stain, so I recommend paint smocks or old shirts. It does wash off hands and surfaces easily but not so well on clothing.
Next, let the children choose a mini pumpkin. These little gourds are not just adorable; they’re also the perfect size for tiny hands to grasp and explore.
Preschoolers will be excited to try vibrant acrylic paints. The beauty of acrylics lies in their vivid colors and smooth application. Hand out a variety of hues in paint trays, ensuring that each child has a variety of colors to work with. You may also want to provide them with more than one brush to avoid color mixing.
Encourage the children to experiment with the colors. The magic happens as the acrylic paint swirls together, creating beautiful and unique patterns on the pumpkins. If they wish to switch colors, provide wet paper towels for them to wipe off their brushes.
While the acrylic paint dries relatively quickly, some pumpkins might need a little extra time. Be patient, and if necessary, let the creations sit overnight to ensure they are completely dry.
READ: You’re My Favorite Pick Pumpkin Template and Ideas for Hosting a Preschool Halloween Party
Acrylic paint colors swirl together so nicely! They turned out beautiful! Most were dry the same day but some needed to sit overnight. The kids were so proud of their little pumpkins!
More Mini Pumpkin Ideas
- Painting with Pumpkins | In Lieu of Preschool
- Tissue Painted Pumpkins |Stay At Home Educator
- Jewel Encrusted Pumpkins | Mr. Kate
- Mini Pumpkin Math | PreKinders
- Mini Pumpkin Spiders | Buggy & Buddy
- Pumpkins & Foil | Twodaloo
- Sparkly and Googly Eyed No-Carve Pumpkins | Pink Stripey Socks