We had a little pumpkin drama on the day Little M brought her pumpkin home. No need to point fingers (since the only innocent party was me). When the pumpkin cracked there were tears… and consequences were doled out… but then I had an idea. Why let this sad experience go to waste? Why not turn it into a pumpkin science experiment? A rotting pumpkin science experiment in fact!
Rotting Pumpkin Science
That is just what we did. I brought out our nature journal and we made a few initial observations. We also talked about what we thought would happen to our pumpkin.
While doing this experiment I used scientific words. We recorded our hypothesis, data and even the conclusion.
Day 1…
Day 3… I asked M and M about what they saw, felt and smelled. They loved that part! Especially Little M who loves anything messy.
Day 5…I asked M and M to record their observations by drawing pictures of what they saw. (It’s so exciting to use a sharpie!) For older kids this would be a great way to get in some extra writing practice.
Day 10… I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to stand it. This one might be a little too gross for me. Kids Activities Blog tried a rotting pumpkin and made it until the bugs came… yikes I don’t know if I could do that! I love the individual science journal. I’m thinking the kids might get field journals in their stockings this year.
For more Halloween activities for kids visit Halloween lesson plan.
Have you ever tried letting a pumpkin rot? How did it go for your family? If you haven’t tried it, is this the year?
This post originally appeared on October 29, 2011.
![12 New Year’s Joke for Kids](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="150" height="150"><rect width="100%" height="100%"><animate attributeName="fill" values="rgba(153,153,153,0.5);rgba(153,153,153,0.1);rgba(153,153,153,0.5)" dur="2s" repeatCount="indefinite" /></rect></svg>)
WONDEFUL lesson! I love how you turned something dissapointing into a fun, memorable, educational activity! Way to go!!
I wanted to invite you to link up at my TGIF Linky Party – http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/search/label/Linkey%20Parties
~Beth
Just an idea… U could.do it in a corner of your yard and as it decays make notes. The seeds May actually sprout and grow vines or another pumpkin if you are lucky. I will tell you I did this on accident one year. My son stomped our pumkin and it was too gross to pick up. I just ignored it and we ended up with a new one the next year. Very cool.
That is really cool! I’ll have to see if there’s a good spot that the dogs won’t get into. YUCK!
Yes! Finally something about sized cooking pumpkin.
Been there…did this for twenty years… our class pumpkin … four-fives love the yuckiness!
great story to ho along with this is called Pumpkin Jack! Love using it to show changes