Add an art activity to any fall or Halloween themed unit in the preschool classroom. This lesson plan details the steps used to create a pumpkin sculpture.
Create a Halloween inspired sculpture in the preschool classroom using paper mache and balloons. Young students can learn about the artistic process, while making a unique holiday pumpkin. Personalize these projects by asking the children to create individualized faces or self-portraits on the pumpkins.
Halloween Pumpkin Art Project Lesson Objectives
- Explore art materials and process.
- Learn about three dimensional form and sculpture.
- Gain self-awareness.
- Develop fine motor skills.
- Increase color and shape recognition skills.
- Increase art vocabulary.
- Demonstrate creative expression.
- Recognize and describe facial features.
Grade/ Age Level
This lesson plan can be used with children ages four and up.
Materials Needed to Create Halloween Pumpkin Sculptures
- Balloons
- Paper (construction paper or other thin paper)
- Scissors
- Paper mache mix (either store bought or made from a favorite recipe)
- Tempera paint
- Brushes
- Modeling clay (green and/or brown)
Steps to Create a Pumpkin Sculpture in the Preschool Classroom
Pre-planning Steps
- Cut long thin paper strips. It will be easiest to use orange paper.
- Mix the paper mache paste. Paper mache mixes may be purchased at most art or craft stores. Additionally, paper mache paste may be made using household items. There are many different recipes that are freely available on the internet. If a pre-packaged mix is used, make sure that the label clearly reads non-toxic and safe to use with young children. If a recipe is used, also make sure that all ingredients are safe to use with young children. Look for allergy potential interactions as an extra safety measure.
- Blow up the balloons. Make one per student.
- Make sure that the work space is washable. If it is not, cover it was paper or other material.
Process Steps
- Discuss Halloween and pumpkins with the class. It may be helpful to show pictures or read a storybook. Ask the children what shape the pumpkin is, and what colors can be found on it.
- Invite the children to dip the paper strips into the paper mache mix. Both sides should be coated.
- Have the children wrap the paper around the balloon, covering the entire surface.
- Ask the children to create a pumpkin stem by molding the modeling clay. This can be firmly pushed onto the top of the paper covered balloon. Use extra paper mache paste to secure the stem.
- Set aside to dry.
- Using tempera paints and brushes, the children can now paint the pumpkins.
- Have the children create faces that focus on different emotions such as happy or surprised. Make sure to discuss the facial features.
- Set the painted pumpkins aside to dry.
Lesson Wrap Up for Pumpkin Sculptures
Discuss the art making with the class. Ask questions such as:
- What is paper mache?
- Is a sculpture flat?
- What part of the pumpkin was made from clay?
- How were the faces added?
- What shape is the pumpkin?
Enrichment Activities for the Pumpkin Sculptures
- Create a Pumpkin Patch: Make a fun art display by creating a classroom pumpkin patch. Section off a classroom area, and ask the children to create greenery from paper to go with the pumpkins. Utilize this for imaginative play or begin a unit on farms and farming.
- Self-Portrait Pumpkins: Instead of simply making a painted pumpkin face, turn these sculptures into self-portraits. Ask each child to create a personalized pumpkin that reflects his or her features. Add hair with yarn or tissue paper strips.
- Letter Recognition: use this lesson with a letter P unit.
Teach basic art concepts in this sculpture based lesson. The paper mache pumpkin sculpture will encourage the young students to discover the three dimensional form, build color and shape recognition skills, and experiment with art materials and process. Extend this lesson by integrating it into a self-awareness or alphabet themed unit.
The copyright of the article Preschool Pumpkin Sculptures in Day Care Activities is owned by Erica Loop. Permission to republish Preschool Pumpkin Sculptures in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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