Parenting Today
Fall is right around the corner, which means leaves are changing color, the weather is getting cooler, and soon there will be pumpkins in every size, shape, and shade of orange you can imagine.
Though carving jack-o’-lanterns can be a fun family tradition, it’s not the only way to enjoy these seasonal items. Putting down the carving tools and creating a game or painting activity can give parents, teachers, and child caregivers a unique way to have fun this Halloween.
1. Pumpkin Ring Toss
Pumpkin Ring Toss is a simple twist on a classic carnival game. It’s easy to set up and is perfect for a backyard party (weather-permitting!) or a classroom Halloween celebration.
What You’ll Need
- Medium to large pumpkins with intact stems
- Plastic rings (or glow sticks if you’re playing at night)
How to Play
Place the pumpkins on the ground in a row. Just like the carnival classic, players stand a few feet back and try to toss rings onto the stems. You can make it more exciting by assigning point values to each pumpkin based on its distance from the throwing line. At night, use glow stick rings for a magical effect.
Ring toss games build hand-eye coordination, encourage friendly competition, and are very easy to adjust, making them an excellent game for all ages.
2. Mini Pumpkin Golf
Get out the clubs and get ready to help the kiddos practice some hand-eye coordination. As an added bonus, you can play this fall-themed version of mini golf inside or outside, ensuring your celebration plans won’t get derailed by inclement weather.
What You’ll Need
- Mini pumpkins
- Kids’ golf clubs or plastic hockey sticks
- Cups, boxes, or paper towel tubes to act as the holes
How to Play
Set up a course using household items to create ramps, tunnels, or obstacles. Instead of golf balls, use mini pumpkins as the balls. The challenge? Their odd shapes and stems make them roll in unexpected ways! Keep score or just play for fun.
Pumpkin mini golf is active, silly, and perfect for both solo play and group challenges.
3. Pumpkin Bowling
Pumplin bowling is precisely what it sounds like: a bowling alley with — you guessed it! — pumpkins.
What You’ll Need
- Small round pumpkins without stems
- Empty plastic bottles or paper towel tubes for pins
How to Play
Arrange the “pins” in a triangle at the end of a flat surface (driveway, gym floor, hallway). Players take turns rolling their pumpkin to knock over as many pins as possible. Decorate the pins with Halloween-themed faces or stickers for extra flair.
Pumpkin bowling is a crowd-pleaser for mixed-age groups and is easy to set up anywhere.
4. Pumpkin Painting Party
Skip the carving mess and pick up a paintbrush instead!
What You’ll Need
- Small to medium pumpkins (real or craft foam)
- Acrylic paint or washable paint for younger kids
- Paintbrushes, sponges, and stencils
- Optional: glow-in-the-dark paint, glitter glue, stickers
How to Do It
Cover a table with newspaper or a disposable tablecloth, and let kids’ imaginations run wild. They can create funny faces, spooky ghosts, polka-dot patterns, or even glow-in-the-dark designs that light up under black light.
Painting is safe for all ages, encourages creativity, and results in cute, long-lasting decorations for any home or classroom.
5. Pumpkin Hunt (Fall’s Version of an Easter Egg Hunt)
Hide mini pumpkins around a yard, playground, or classroom, and let kids find as many as they can.
What You’ll Need
- Mini pumpkins
- Optional: decorate or number them for prizes, clues, or challenges
How to Play
Give each child a small bag or basket and a time limit. To make it educational, write letters, numbers, or sight words on the pumpkins and have the kids collect the ones that match their “assignment.”
Pumpkin Hunts combine active play with a scavenger hunt twist. You can also adapt them for any age group.
Tips for Success
- Safety first: Even without carving, make sure pumpkins are free of soft spots, mold, or sharp stems.
- Get seasonal: Set up a fall-themed snack table with warm cider, apple slices, or popcorn where kids can take a break from all the excitement.
- Mix and match: Combine multiple activities for a full afternoon of pumpkin fun.
Endless Ways to Play This Fall
Besides carving pumpkins, which is fun and an age-old fall tradition, there are also versatile props that guarantee creative, kid-friendly fun all season long. Whether you’re painting them, rolling them down a hallway, or sending the kids on a pumpkin hunt in the backyard, these activities are sure to bring this festive season to life.
