Pumpkin Math Measuring Activity

Pumpkin Measurement

Nothing says fall quite like pumpkins. And not only do they make for great fall décor, they also provide a plethora of learning opportunities for your preschoolers. After stalking our local farm stand all month, the girls were so excited when they finally had pumpkins this week. We selected an assortment of pumpkins, varying in size and shape, to learn about various methods of measurement. Explore a little pumpkin math in this fun pumpkin measurement activity.

pumpkin measurement for preschool

Pumpkin Investigation – Methods of Measurement

For this first introduction to methods of measure, we focused on three different ways to measure our pumpkins: height, circumference, and weight. We talked about what each of those different words mean, how they can be measured, and the units of measurement.

  • Height – how tall something is, measured in inches with a measuring tape
  • Circumference – how big around something is, measured in inches with a measuring tape
  • Weight – how heavy something is, measured in pounds on a scale

pumpkin measurement activity

Pumpkin Math Activity Supplies

At the farm stand, I encouraged Big M, my 4-year-old, to select pumpkins of varying size. Specifically, we looked for a small pumpkin, a medium-sized one, and a large pumpkin. We also tried to select varying shapes as well. For our pumpkin measuring activity, we used the following supplies:

  • small pumpkin
  • medium, round pumpkin
  • large, tall pumpkin
  • measuring tape
  • bathroom scale
  • How Does A Pumpkin Measure Up (printable) – pumpkin measurement worksheet

Pumpkin measurement supplies

How Does Your Pumpkin Measure Up?

With our supplies gathered, Big M started by drawing a picture of each pumpkins on our measurement recording table. Big M then named them Small, Round, and Tall. Before we actually started measuring, I asked Big M to estimate (or guess) which pumpkin she thought was the tallest and shortest, which would have the largest and smallest circumference, and which she thought would be heaviest and lightest.

Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!

6 different components of the pumpkin theme bundles arranged in grid.
Preview in the Shop

Pumpkin Activities Bundle

The pumpkin activities bundle includes 6 of my most popular resources such as math, literacy, science - and more for plenty of hands-on fun!

Starting with the small pumpkin, we measured its height, circumference, and weight. I showed Big M how to hold the measuring tape at the bottom of the pumpkin with one hand, starting at the end with the 1, and stretch it taught upwards with the other hand to find the height. Next, I showed her how to wrap it around the middle of the pumpkin, like a belt, to measure the circumference. Last, I helped her lift it onto our bathroom scale to weigh the pumpkins.

Methods of Measure pumpkin

Pumpkin Measurement Activity

After each measurement, we recorded the result on our pumpkin measurement worksheet. While Big M is becoming quite adept at writing her letters, this pumpkin math activity taught me we still have some practice to do on writing numbers, so she asked me to do the recording for her!

We repeated the data collection with each of our three pumpkins. In a classroom setting, you easily could set this activity up as a STEM* center and print a recording sheet for each child in the class. Alternatively, you could make a single chart for the class on a large piece of chart paper, with students taking turns performing the different measurements for each pumpkin.

We can’t wait to use our pumpkins for more great learning activities all Fall long!

Pumpkin Art Activity Extension

When you’re done measuring, use those pumpkins in this fun melted pumpkin crayon activity. It’s a great way to decorate your pumpkins and use up those old crayons!

You may also like: 25 No Carve Preschool Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

*STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Playground ParkbenchBIO: Meghan is a former hedge fund professional turned SAHM to Big M (4), Lil’ M (2), and a baby boy due any day now! She writes at Playground Parkbench, where she shares at-home activities for kids, parenting tips, and financial savvy for the household CEO. Find her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!

Use the five senses to explore a pumpkin and create a small book to record the observations. Your kids will love this pumpkin science activity!

 

More Pumpkin Ideas

  • Easy Pumpkin Decorating Exploration- Pumpkins are a great learning tool for the fall. Touching them, measuring them, cutting them, exploring them. In my classroom, we sang about pumpkins and decorated them as part of our exploration. Use this activity as you explore pumpkin, fall, harvest, Thanksgiving, or related themes. This activity is easy to do with minimal supplies – and your kids will love it.
  • Melted Crayon Pumpkin Decorating- Melted Crayon  Pumpkin decorating is a fun experience for kids (and adults) of all ages. This no-carve crayon art pumpkin decorating project is gorgeous and it’s also lots of fun to make! Check out these crayon dripped pumpkins made by Miranda Hamilton’s Pre-K class.
  • Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie Craft- What goes best with Thanksgiving dinner? Pie, of course, and the old lady, who has an out of this world appetite, starts off her night with just that in the book, I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson. Your kids will love making this fun paper plate pumpkin pie craft to go along with the book.
  • Pumpkin Science Exploration-Pumpkins, pumpkins all around! One of the best things about fall is that there are pumpkins everywhere, making it easy to have a pumpkin science exploration! Children can use their 5 senses to explore the insides of a pumpkin and then create what they have learned.
Pumpkin Volcano
pumpkin exploration preschool
pumpkin with melted crayons on top with hairdryer
Planting Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkins and Gourds
Pumpkin Soup Color Mixing
Pumpkin Books
Pumpkin Science