Pumpkin Patch Matching Game: A Fun, Sensory Fall Activity
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Fall is the perfect time to engage little ones in seasonal sensory play, and what better way to embrace the season than with a Pumpkin Patch Matching Game? This hands-on activity is a wonderful way to bring the pumpkin patch to any environment while encouraging early cognitive skills like matching, sorting, and sensory exploration.
The Supplies You'll Need:
Here are the supplies you'll need to gather. I've included Amazon links to items to purchase if you need to.
Posterboard
Eco-friendly natural aspen wood excelsior
Mini faux pumpkins – 2 of each (variety of different sizes, textures, etc.)
Setting Up the Pumpkin Patch Matching Game
Place a poster board on the table.
Stretch out the Excelsior on the poster board.
Place the wooden pallet, mini hay bales, and sign on the Excelsior.
Add the pumpkins all around the top of the Excelsior.
Place the wooden box on the side.
Invite the child to match the pumpkins, placing each match on the side of the table, or in the wooden box until it’s filled.
How to Play:
Invite your child to the table and introduce them to the pumpkin patch. Explain that their task is to find and match the pumpkins that look alike. You can do this based on colors, shapes, textures, sizes, etc. As they match each pair, they can either place them on the side of the table or drop them into the wooden box until it’s filled.
Encourage them to explore the textures and sizes of each pumpkin—some may be smooth, while others might feel rough or bumpy.
After introducing the activity, I would encourage you to allow them to explore and play with the set-up as they want.
Skills Developed:
Many great skills can be supported by setting up this seasonal pumpkin patch matching game.
Matching and Sorting: Finding identical pairs of pumpkins promotes pattern recognition and classification skills.
Fine Motor Skills: Playing with various shapes and sizes in this sensory bin helps with manipulation skills and strengthens the small muscles in the fingers, hand, and wrist.
Sensory Exploration: Feeling the textures of the pumpkins, hay bales, and excelsior helps with tactile sensory processing, perfect for younger children developing their sensory awareness.
Creative Play: After completing the matching activity, children can use the mini hay bales and other props for imaginative play.
Pumpkin Patch Matching Game
Equipment
- Posterboard
- Eco-friendly natural aspen wood excelsior
- Mini wooden pallet
- Wooden box
Materials
- Mini faux pumpkins – 2 of each (variety of different sizes, textures, etc.)
- Mini hay bales
- Happy Fall wooden decor
Instructions
- Place a poster board on the table.
- Stretch out the excelsior on the poster board.
- Place the wooden pallet, mini hay bales, and sign on the excelsior.
- Add the pumpkins all around the top of the excelsior.
- Place the wooden box on the side.
- Invite the child to match the pumpkins, placing each match on the side of the table, or in the wooden box until it’s filled.
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Heather Greutman, COTA
Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based OT services for preschool through high school. She uses her background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies for parents, educators, and therapists. She is the author of many ebooks including The Basics of Fine Motor Skills, and Basics of Pre-Writing Skills, and co-author of Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators.