What do you need for this activity?
Pumpkins and paint.
Honestly, it’s as simple as that.
It’s a classic alternative to carving pumpkins.
I debated actually carving a pumpkin with him this year because the inside of a pumpkin makes for a pretty great sensory activity. But, as my son is only 16 months old, that would be the only benefit for him. He can’t yet design a face that can be carved, and I most certainly don’t trust him with a knife.
So, essentially, I would be doing all the work. And I wanted him to have a longer, more creative experience with it.
Given that paint is quite messy, he still got a bit of a sensory experience out of it too! Alternating between paintbrushes, sponge brushes, and his fingers, he had a blast—and I so enjoyed watching.
As a parent guided experience, I painted his hand and added his little handprint! It’s just too cute and I couldn’t resist.
This particular pumpkin-painting experience was part of a special Halloween event at the gym we attend. They had tables set up with washable kid’s paint, googly eyes, stickers, and stick-on gems for added creativity.
Admittedly, after the paint dried, it started chipping off. So, if you’re looking for a more permanent option, acrylic paint might be better. However, I found the washable paint to be absolutely perfect—it gave my little one some carefree, messy time, and I’m not worried about the paint sticking around long-term.
I’ve even considered washing it off and letting him do it all over again at home!
This activity was MESSY, for sure, but it was fun and a great experience. We will likely repeat it again next year.
Embrace the mess. It is totally worth it!
Just a tip: a trip to the pumpkin patch isn’t necessary for this activity. Don’t get me wrong pumpkin patches are fantastic, fun fall activities and I certainly love them. But they can be an all-day event, and their prices can add up. Especially if you have multiple little ones. A grocery store pumpkin and some cheap kid’s paint is a great way to experience this activity!
