Painted Mini Pumpkins

Today your little one turns mini pumpkins into art with lines, dots and patterns. Washable paint and dot markers make it easy for small hands, and no two pumpkins come out the same.

What you need

• Mini pumpkins, one or two per child

• Washable paint in a few colors

• A paintbrush or a cotton swab

• Dot markers

• A smock or an old T-shirt

• A paper plate or a tray to work on

How to do it

1. Look closely. Run a finger along the lines on the pumpkin. "Are these lines straight or curvy?"

2. Start with dots. Press a dot marker on the pumpkin again and again. "Dot, dot, dot!"

3. Paint some lines. Use a brush to paint straight lines, wavy lines or zigzags down the sides.

4. Make a pattern. Try dot, line, dot, line all the way around. What comes next?

5. Let it dry. Set the pumpkins on the tray to dry, then line them up and show them off.

Why we love it

A round pumpkin is a new kind of canvas, and painting all the way around takes planning and careful hands. Talking about straight, curved, wavy and zigzag lines builds the same skills as this week's What Kind of Line? worksheet. And it's a fun way to decorate for fall without anything scary.

Tips from our table

• Dot markers are great for two-year-olds. Older kids can try thin brushes and patterns.

• Hold the pumpkin by the stem or set it on a lump of playdough so it doesn't roll.

• Washable paint comes off pumpkins too. Wipe it off with a damp cloth to paint again.

Shop these items

Everything mentioned in this post, in one place. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

• Crayola washable kids paint

• Kids paint brushes

• Kids art smocks

• Paper plates

• Kids art trays

• Crayola washable markers

• Play-Doh 10-pack

• Starter supplies: the basics we use most weeks

• See every week in our Amazon storefront

More for this week: see all our Pumpkin activities, Letter H activities and Number 8 activities.

Every child is different. Please use your own judgment about what's safe and right for your family. Always supervise children during activities and while eating, and adjust foods for allergies, dietary needs and your child's age and chewing ability. Sprocket & Sprout shares these ideas for fun and learning only. We are not responsible for any injury, allergic reaction, damage or mess that may result from trying them. This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.