Stop the Runaway Pumpkin

Uh oh, the pumpkin is rolling away! Your little one builds a ramp, lets a small pumpkin roll down and then builds a stopper at the bottom to catch it. Can they stop the runaway pumpkin?

What you need

• A small, round pumpkin, or an orange or a ball if your pumpkin won't roll

• Something for a ramp: a flat piece of cardboard, a cutting board or a sturdy book

• Something to prop it up: a couch cushion or a stack of books

• Things to build a stopper: blocks, a pillow, a towel, a shoebox or stuffed animals

How to do it

1. Build the ramp. Lean the cardboard on a stack of books so it slopes down to the floor.

2. Let it roll. Set the pumpkin at the top and let go. "Where did it go? How far did it roll?"

3. Plan a stopper. Ask, "What could we put at the bottom to stop it?"

4. Build and test. Your little one builds a stopper with blocks, a pillow or a towel, then rolls the pumpkin again.

5. Fix it. Did the pumpkin stop? Did it knock the wall down? Try a bigger wall, a softer stopper or a lower ramp.

Why we love it

This is real engineering: plan, build, test and fix. Kids see that a steeper ramp makes the pumpkin go faster, and that soft things like a pillow can catch it without bouncing back. Every try teaches them something new.

Tips from our table

• Mini pumpkins are often bumpy and don't roll well. A round pumpkin about the size of a softball works best, or use an orange.

• Two-year-olds love just rolling and chasing. Older kids can test three stoppers and pick the best one.

• Keep the ramp low and clear the space at the bottom so the pumpkin doesn't roll into toes or furniture.

Shop these items

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

• Melissa & Doug wooden blocks

• 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.