inside a pumpkin

What’s inside a pumpkin? Opening a pumpkin and looking inside is a seasonal, hands-on learning experience that supports science, sensory, and language development and curiosity. Just presenting the question to preschoolers piques their interest and creates excitement to see what’s inside the pumpkin. Join us for a pumpkin exploration!

First, take a look at the whole pumpkin. What color is it? What can you do with it? Do you like pumpkin pie? How about making jack lanterns? There are many types of pumpkins – some are pie pumpkins and some are little pumpkins. There are giant pumpkins and small decorative pumpkins.

Let’s talk about the parts of a pumpkin. Our big pumpkin has a stem. That’s where it was connected to the vine, in the field. Look at the bottom of the pumpkin. Can you see where it was touching the ground? Feel the outer skin of the pumpkin. It’s hard and cool. The texture is bumpy. The outside of the pumpkin is called the shell. Pumpkins are considered a fruit. What do you think is inside of the pumpkin?

We cut around the stem with a sharp knife (adults only) to create an opening at the top of the pumpkin. Dig down to the center of the pumpkin. What do you find? This stringy stuff is called pulp but some people call it pumpkin guts. There are lots of seeds inside the pumpkin! We use our hands and a spoon to scrape out the insides. The fibrous strands feel wet, sticky, and gooey. Do you like the insides of the pumpkins?

We can save the pumpkin seeds to plant a new pumpkin or try roasted pumpkin seeds to eat for a snack!

The stem is like a handle, and we can fit the top back on like a puzzle piece.

Feel inside. Look inside.
Let’s sort out the seeds so they can be washed. Try roasting them or making Dyed Pumpkin Seed Fall Art.

It’s fun to see what’s inside a pumpkin! If you have nature journals, draw the pumpkin and what you found inside.

Download these pumpkin printable activities to learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin, parts of a pumpkin poster, shapes, counting, and vocabulary.

Pumpkins provide so many opportunities for fun learning activities! They provide endless fun and excitement for kids of all ages. As autumn arrives and the leaves start to change, children anticipate pumpkin patch visits, pumpkin decorating and carving and enjoying favorite pumpkin recipes.

Pumpkin painting is another favorite activity, allowing kids to express themselves with vibrant colors and unique patterns. Whether it’s exploring, decorating, or cooking, pumpkin activities create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Plan a Fall Preschool Pumpkin Patch Party. Try making a Halloween pumpkin from a brown paper bag, and orange yarn. Spookly the Square Pumpkin Craft. Kids will love playing with this super soft pumpkin play dough! Warm up with some pumpkin spice hot cocoa. Send home a pumpkin shape for families to help decorate. Try this fun Pumpkin Positional Words activity.