Seasonal art for kids

A Pounding Pumpkin Activity for Kids

October 4, 2023

Hammer pumpkins with wire brads or golf tees. Kids love the opportunity to use real tools and gain life skills with this fun pumpkin activity.

Updated September 2023

Pounding pumpkins is a great way to introduce younger kids to hammering. There is lower risk of injury and in my experience, lots of enthusiasm on the kid end!

Kids love using real tools and there’s nothing that makes my kids happier than when they are hammering away. Over the last few years, we get a nice big pumpkin for each of them to work on.

For toddlers, try golf tees and a wooden mallet. For preschoolers, a kids’ hammer and wire brads work great. After pumpkin season is over, you can continue hammering with Styrofoam from the recycling bin or graduate to more advanced projects with nails and wood.

Be sure to introduce tools and lay out the rules for how to use them safely. And don’t forget a pair of googles or safety glasses!

Pounding Pumpkin Activity for Kids

MATERIALS

Time needed: 15 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS

Gather supplies
Get kids geared up in safety goggles and set out the appropriate “nails” and hammer. As mentioned above, decide on what tools are the best fit for your child’s age and skill level.
Pound away!
Now here is the fun part – hammer away! Kids can pound nails all over the pumpkin. (Depending on your child’s age, he/she might require some adult assistance getting the golf tee started.)

Our kids had a blast trying this pumpkin activity! If you’re looking for something different to do this Fall, give pumpkin pounding a shot!

More Pumpkin Activity Fun for Kids

Want even more Halloween fun?

Check out our Halloween Creativity Pack!

This 45-page printable eBook is full of seasonal coloring pages, drawing prompts, games, and art projects.

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Rachel Withers

Rachel is the Editorial Manager at The Artful Parent. She is passionate about engaging with kids through art, whether at art groups or through teaching photography at a local elementary school. Rachel lives in Portland, Maine, and loves going on adventures with her family. As a mother of two young kids, she is excited to explore how nature, art, and play combine in a child’s learning and development. Creating art with her kids and hosting a toddler art group are current highlights.

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