Pumpkin Activities for Children Who Are Blind or Low Vision
This content is also available in:
Español (Spanish)
Autumn is the perfect season to engage in hands-on activities with your child who is blind or has low vision. Whether you’re carving pumpkins, creating no-bake pumpkin pies, or making pumpkin-scented playdough, these activities are fun and provide opportunities to develop sensory, motor, and language skills. Remember, the focus is on the process, not the product, as you explore these delightful and messy fall activities together.
Carving a Pumpkin
Pumpkin carving is a fantastic sensory activity that allows your child to explore textures, shapes, and smells. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Explore the Pumpkin: Have your child use both hands to feel the shape and grooves of the pumpkin. Tap the pumpkin together to create different rhythms.
- Make Predictions: Ask your child to guess what might be inside the pumpkin before opening it.
- Discuss Facial Features: If you’re carving a face, talk about the shapes you’ll use. For some children, consider using playdough or wiki stix to create shapes first, then use textured paper to represent these shapes on the pumpkin.
- Carve the Pumpkin: Cut around the stem and remove the top. Encourage your child to smell the pumpkin, then let them reach inside to feel the seeds and guts. Discuss how it feels as they pull out the insides.
- Sort and Play: Separate the seeds from the guts, and after carving the face, try putting the shapes back into the pumpkin like a puzzle.
- Roast the Seeds: For a tasty treat, roast, salt, and eat the pumpkin seeds together.
No-Bake Pumpkin Pies
This no-bake pumpkin pie activity is a fun and simple way to engage your child in making a delicious treat.
What You’ll Need:
- Two boxes of vanilla instant pudding
- One can of pumpkin (15 ounces)
- A large, empty coffee container
How to Make It:
- Explore Ingredients: Open the pudding boxes and let your child smell and taste the powder.
- Mix and Shake: Pour the pudding powder and milk into a container. Shake it together, roll it back and forth, and tap it to a beat until the pudding thickens. Add the pumpkin and mix again.
- Crush and Combine: Crush graham crackers in a Ziploc bag, then pour them into a cup. Add the pumpkin pudding and top with whipped cream. Enjoy the treat together.
Pumpkin Spice Playdough
Making pumpkin spice playdough is a sensory-rich activity that combines the smells and textures of fall with creative play.
What You’ll Need:
- Two cups plain flour (all-purpose)
- Two tablespoons vegetable oil
- Two tablespoons cream of tartar
- Orange food coloring (optional)
How to Make It:
- Mix Ingredients: Combine the flour, salt, pumpkin spice, cream of tartar, and oil in a large mixing bowl.
- Add Color: Mix the warm water with food coloring, then add it to the dry ingredients.
- Knead the Dough: Stir the mixture until it forms a sticky dough, then knead it vigorously until smooth. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour.
- Store and Play: Create pumpkin shapes and discuss the smells and textures. Store the playdough in a Ziploc bag.
Finger-Paint a Tactile Pumpkin Cut-Out
After reading a fall-themed story like “The Littlest Pumpkin,” extend the experience with a fun tactile activity.
What You’ll Need:
- ½ cup orange finger paint
- Pumpkin spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg
How to Create It:
- Prepare the Pumpkin: Cut out a pumpkin shape from card stock, drawing lines to show its contour. Raise these lines with a hot glue gun.
- Paint and Sprinkle: Mix orange finger paint with glue and let your child finger-paint the cut-out. Sprinkle fall spices onto the wet paint for a delightful scent.
- Add Leaves: Go outside to find large leaves, then glue them onto the pumpkin picture for added texture.
These activities are easily adaptable to your child’s abilities and preferences, providing a range of sensory experiences that celebrate the season. Whether you’re making pies, playdough, or pumpkin art, the key is to enjoy the process together and create lasting memories.