For your bulletin board. I put black construction paper on the board for the
background. Then I took one child at a time, painted one hand white, turned the
hand upside down and printed their hand on the board, when dried I took a black
permanent marker and made eyes and colored them in with the marker to be solid.
Had each child's name at the bottom of handprint with a white pencil or crayon.
For the border I took cotton balls stretched them out and glued on the board;
the cotton balls made it look like spider webs. The children loved it!
Contact_FullName: Mary
Contact_Email: marytrary5@msn.com
date:: 10/21/01
Spider Piñata
Take a punch ball balloon, and have the children paper mache over it (use a
mixture of flour and water to make the paste, because it cleans up fairly easily
then dip newspaper strips into it to cover the balloon). Don't forget a metal
hanger!
When it is dry, have the children paint it black, and attach black paper legs
to it, folded accordion style to make them bounce.
Cut a small hole in the top, pop the balloon and remove it, fill with candy
and cheap toys, replace cut top. To hang it in your room, use white crepe paper
to make a spider web across the ceiling, and hang your class' spider in the
middle. At your Halloween party, have kids take a turn taking a whack at it and
enjoy the fun!
Contact_FullName: Kristi
Contact_Email: KristiB959@aol.com
date:: 10/9/01
Area: Halloween-Sensory
Idea:
For the Halloween season, I put orange and black "grass" in the sensory
table. I also add in creepy crawlers: plastic/rubber bugs, snakes, frogs, and
anything else "Halloween-ish". A black plastic cauldron and a witch's hat
finishes off one of the most favorite centers in our room!!! The children can't
wait to have a turn whipping up a batch of "witch's brew."
Contact_FullName:
Susan
Contact_Email:
murf@ncounty.net
11-5-00
I turn my dramatic play corner into a "Haunted Closet". I cover the
area with spider web material and hang up many old Halloween costumes
such as princesses, clowns, etc. that have been collected over the
years. Since we do not dress up for Halloween at our school, it is fun
for the children to try on various costumes, see what they look like in
the mirror, and have fun acting like their new persona! It is also a
great way to practice dressing and undressing - as well as helping each
other!
Contact_FullName:
Shawna
Contact_Email:
smbriseno@hotmail.com
11-5-00
For Halloween, I shredded orange, black, and white paper with my
paper shredder and put it in our sensory table. For added fun, I hid
seasonal items in the paper, such as miniature pumpkins, plastic
spiders, etc.
Contact_FullName:
Jodi
Contact_Email:
jliebov@monroe.k12.nj.us
11-4-00
Read "The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything." Give each
child a part of the story to listen for (ie. To be the shoes that go
Clomp Clomp, to be the pants that go Wiggle Wiggle). Remind the children
to listen for their parts and do them when the part comes up. The story
is repetitious and the children love to do it. My preschoolers want to
read the story over and over so that they can switch parts.
Contact_FullName:
natalie
Contact_Email:
nbthompson@hotmail.com
10-30-00
Cut out a large house shape in a dark color of poster board, then cut
out doors and windows leaving one side attached to the house, so you can
open and close them. Glue the whole house to a piece of light colored
poster board, leaving the windows and doors free to be opened. Take
pictures of your students and place them inside the windows and the
doors. Label your creation: Haunted House - Beware Monsters Inside. The
kids love to open and close the windows to see their own faces peeking
out.
Contact_FullName:
Rebecca
Contact_Email:
cassidi_22@yahoo.com
10-30-00
For our Halloween Party we are doing a variety of things with our
mini pumpkins. They are going to replace the bean bags in our bean bag
toss game. Also we are going to bowl with them. The pins are TP rolls we
painted black for spiders and cut the bottom half in strips for legs. We
are also going to do an over under relay. The kids will stand in a line
passing the pumpkins first over their heads, and then under (between)
their legs to the child behind them.
Contact_FullName:
Caroline
Contact_Email:
teachr1030@aol.com
10-23-00
I use this craft as a behavior incentive. Have students paint the
front of a paper plate orange then cut another plate in half and paint
the back of the one half orange, discard the other half. When dry put
plates together so that you form a pouch or pocket. You can staple the
plates together or punch holes around the edge for students to lace the
plates together with orange yarn (this is a great eye/hand coordination
activity!!) Then cut out 3 black triangles for the eyes and nose and a
black mouth. Place the eyes and nose on the whole paper plate and the
mouth on the front of the pocket part of the pumpkin. You can add a stem
at the top if you'd like. I then explain to the children that if their
behavior is good all day they will find a special treat from the "Great
Pumpkin" in their pouch before they leave. I use these pumpkins for all
of the month of October. It works like a charm!!
Contact_FullName:
Tracy
Contact_Email:
keep_right@hotmail.com
10-23-00
At home, I spray painted a large box and used and Exacto knife to cut
flaps for windows and doors. I placed pictures of ghosts, bats, witches,
etc. My four year olds loved opening up the windows to our
haunted house! It was a great way to kick off the unit.
Contact_FullName:
Kimberlie
Contact_Email:
cheyanne456@fbcc.com
10-23-00
A neat craft for any age is tootsie pop ghost use white cloth and tie
around sucker then decorate. If supplies are limited you can use
wrapping tissue, toilet tissue, or a napkin. Remember to have enough to
eat one and do the project!:)
Contact_FullName:
Saxton
Contact_Email:
10-23-00
For Halloween, I, give each child a sandwich bag. I, place shaving
cream, and red and yellow food coloring in each bag. Close them up tight
using garbage bag ties. Watch the colors turn to orange. I, also, let
the children make Jack-o-lanterns out of the bags, by drawing faces on
the bags with a permanent black marker. I decorate our bulletin board
with the Jack-o-lantern bags.
Contact_FullName:
Contact_Email:
flacinski@yahoo
10-17-000
Paper Plate Skeletons You will need 7 paper plates of the generic
type. Cut a shape out of the first that looks like a skull. The second
plate are the ribs so cut 5 lines about 1 inch apart on each side...trim
off a little between ribs to make them stand out then bend them in
toward the middle. The Third plate is the pelvis...cut two crescents -
one out of the top and one out of the bottom. The remainder of the
plates are for the bones in the arms and the legs. Cut a crescent out of
both sides of each remaining plate. You will need one of these for each
arm and one for each leg. If you want a more correct skeleton...cut out
four more plates so that you have a top and bottom to each limb. Draw
your feet and hands onto white construction. When all the pieces are cut
out...attach each section to the one before it using brads. When done
outline parts of the skeleton to make it look more real and put a face
on the skull.
Contact_FullName:
Rhonda
Contact_Email:
Rhondawalk@aol.com
10-16-00
Pasta comes in various shapes. There is a pasta in the shape of
jack-0-lanterns. The noodles are orange, green, and plain colored. These
can be used in a variety of ways: cooking, pasting onto a Halloween
picture, stringing to make a necklace, sorting by colors, counting activities, making patterns, sand table activities, picking up with tongs
or tweezers for an eye-hand-coordination activity, etc.
Contact_FullName:
Aimee
Contact_Email:
airvin@stlnet.com
10-16-00
As a language enhancer, for the book "Big Pumpkin" I make stick
puppets for the children to act out the book with. Using clip art, I
printed a picture of a ghost, a vampire, a pumpkin, a witch, a bat and a
mummy. I laminated them, cut them out and put them on Popsicle sticks. The kids will listen to the story over and over taking turns being
different characters. This could be done to compliment any book!
Contact_FullName:
Aimee
Contact_Email:
airvin@stlnet.com
10-16-00
During fall, I bring in pumpkins. I draw three different
jack-o-lantern faces on paper and have the kids vote on which one they
like. We then, cut the top off of the pumpkin and the kids help me scoop
it out with their hands. (good sensory activity) we then separate the
seeds from the gooey part and let them dry to toast for snack later. We
then carve the face. We put the "guts" in a bowl or the sensory table
and let the kids feel and smell what the inside of a pumpkin is like. If
your school does not do holidays, you can still do this, but don't
carve a face.
Contact_FullName:
Aimee Folmer
Contact_Email:
airvin@stlnet.com
10-16-00
In a week we are going to visit a pumpkin farm. When I told the kids
about it, they got really excited and have been asking everyday when we
are going to the farm! So, we set up a farm in our class. We have barns
and farm animals in the block area. Big red cardboard blocks for building
a barn, farm animals in hay in the sensory table. we have had eggs for
snack, inflated surgical gloves for cow udders, and much more. The kids
are so excited, especially since it is something they initiated!
Contact_FullName:
Nicole
Contact_Email:
lovedove39@hotmail.com
10-16-00
Cut out pumpkin shapes and have the child decorate them with orange
and black construction paper. Later put a picture of the child on the
pumpkin. Make a bulletin board with these. You title could be. " Our
Pumpkin Patch".
Contact_FullName:
Treva
Contact_Email:
TrevaPaige@aol.com
10-16-00
Pasta Skeletons 2 pieces of spiral pasta (spine) 1 seashell pasta
(head) 8 rigatoni pasta (arms and legs) 6 regular macaroni (ribs) This
is such a cute idea! Glue pasta on black paper to look like a skeleton.
Hang up for a fun filled bulletin board!!
Contact_FullName:
debbie ekins
Contact_Email:
dekins@total.net
10-16-00
for 2 weeks I change my loft into a haunted house. The kids love to
help decorate it and even bring in some things from home to add. The kids
enjoy playing in their haunted house and I ask that they bring in their
favorite Halloween story and we all go into the haunted house where we
read the stories with flashlights. The kids really love this
activity!!
Contact_FullName:
Judy
Contact_Email:
zos@prodigy.net
10-10-00
Spider Hats Provide each child with 1 2 inch wide strip of black
construction paper that will fit around his head. Staple ends together.
Cut 8 one inch strips of black v-construction for each child. Children
glue 8 legs around the hat. ( This year I put an x on the spots where
the legs should be glued.) Bend legs in half after they have dried. Cut 2
large circles for the spider's eyes. Glue to the front portion of the
hat. Kids love wearing these hats.
Contact_FullName:
wanda
Contact_Email:
wpetrevics@yahoo.com
10-7-00
Tissue paper and Wire hanger ghosts
Shape a wire hanger in the shape of a ghost. Use one large piece of
white tissue paper folded in half. Dip hanger into a cookie pan of Elmer's glue to coat it and then lay it on one half of the tissue paper.
Fold the other half of the tissue paper over to cover the hanger. The
hook of the hanger should not be covered with paper since it will be
used to hang the finished ghost. Add black construction paper shapes;
circles, ovals, etc., for eyes and mouths. After the ghost dries the
children can snip the bottom part of the tissue paper for fringe.
Contact_FullName:
Bree
Contact_Email:
r8a8z8o8r@aol.com
10-7-00
For Halloween activities, play spooky music while the kids are
working. This creates a fun and interesting learning environment!
Contact_FullName:
Elaine
Contact_Email:
e_korth@yahoo.com
10-7-00
Balloon Ghosts-- To make these ghosts you will need white balloons (I
use 9") and sheets of white tissue paper. Blow up the balloon and tie
for the children. Have them use black permanent marker to draw eyes and
mouth on the balloon. (Make sure the tie is at the bottom). Cut a small
hole in the center of a sheet of tissue paper. Attach the tissue to the
tie area of the balloon using tape. I also tape a string on the top of
the balloon and hang the ghosts in the classroom. They "float" with the
air movement and the kids love them!
Contact_FullName:
Missy
Contact_Email:
MJMiller413@aol.com
10-2-00
"Ghost Ornaments"
You'll need: white craft foam, wiggly eyes or black Sharpie marker,
hole punch and fishing line.
Trace the child's foot on the craft foam and cut out. Turn foot
upside down and punch a hole in the heel of the foot. Thread a long
piece of fishing line through the hole and tie at the top. Add eyes to
your ghost with black puffy paint, wiggly eyes or black permanent
marker.
Contact_FullName:
Diane
Contact_Email:
bradliv@prodigy.net
10-2-00
Halloween play dough. You make up a batch of play dough, I like the
Kool-aid one. Then attach the recipe and a Halloween cookie cutter. The
kids have a blast with this.
Contact_FullName:
Quincy
Contact_Email:
ms_quincy@yahoo.com
9-30-00
During Halloween week, we have a pumpkin contest. we let the children
bring their carved and/or decorated pumpkins from home. Everyone gets a
prize! The parents get a big kick out of trying to come up with original
ideas. Last year we had a snowman pumpkin, a pirate pumpkin, pumpkins
with light-up eyes, an Atlanta Braves player pumpkin...and tons more. I
took all the kids pictures holding their pumpkins and put them in my
class scrapbook so everyone could see!
Contact_FullName:
Diane
Contact_Email:
bradliv@prodigy.net
9-15-00
Ghost Pins You use an old puzzle piece, paint it white. Then use a
marker and do like a stitch line around the edge of the puzzle piece
then add two eyes and a squirrelly mouth. Add pin or magnet to back and you
have a cute little ghost.
Contact_FullName:
Jeannine
Contact_Email:
gemyny999@aol.com
9-11-00
Jack-o-lantern
You will need a white Styrofoam cup, orange paint, black and green
construction paper and green pipe cleaner. Turn the cup upside down and
paint it orange. When dry glue on a jack-o-lantern face (cut out of the
black construction paper). Poke the green pipe cleaner into the bottom
of the cup and crinkle to make it look like a vine. Cut out 2 or 3
pumpkin leaves from the green construction paper. Punch a hole in the
bottom of the leaf and thread on to the pipe cleaner. Looks really cute
with a bunch lined up in a window or on a shelf. Enjoy!!!!!
Contact_FullName:
Teri
Contact_Email:
jim_teri@hereintown.net
9-4-00
Take a precut pumpkin and have the children paint it orange. After
the orange paint dries then take dip the child's palm into black paint
and make a face on to the pumpkin. ( 2 Handprints for the eyes, 1 for
the nose, and 3 for the mouth ).
Contact_FullName:
Jessica
Contact_Email:
sj4syth@gbasin.net
8-29-00
This year my students and I will be dressing up as characters from
our favorite books. Each child will bring his/her favorite book and help
me read it to the other children at our Halloween party.
Contact_FullName:
Shelly
Contact_Email:
tdeuter@swnebr.net
8-21-00
We have a treasure hunt for Halloween. I make ghosts out of fun foam and
put them down our hallway. Then I make clues for the kids to follow the ghosts
and figure out the clue and the prize. We have four rooms we walk to and I
hide little prizes. I like this idea because it's better then giving a lot of
candy.
Contact_FullName:
Shelly
Contact_Email:
tdeuter@swnebr.net
7-15-00
Spider Spoon favors: Take a black plastic spoon and paint orange dots
on the back of the spoon round part and on the part that you scoop with
glue 6 spider legs made out of those bumpy pipe cleaners ( 3 on each side)
and then glue a 1" inch black pompom on the side where you made your
orange dots. Add a pompom nose and wiggly eyes. A little black top hat can
be added this is optional. Then glue a tootsie pop underneath the legs.
Then on the handle of the spoon glue a candy bar or a tootsie roll and
then cover this with some cheesecloth and tie it together in the middle of
your spoon handle with black and orange ribbon. They look like a spider
and its web. I found the black spoons at a paper goods store!! The kids
love getting these at Halloween!!
Contact_FullName:
Lani
Contact_Email:
mrs-wallace@home.com
Date: 3-1-00
We are in a church for pre-school and would prefer not to celebrate
Halloween. Therefore our Bible lesson for the month centers on Noah's Ark
and we have a "Noah's Ark" party at the normal Halloween party time. We
have pictures of 6 animals (dog, sheep, lion, tiger, bunny, panda bear) in
a basket and the children draw out one animal lottery style. Then we send
home a note to mom so that she may create a costume to go with that
animal. (they many times just use sweat suits in some fashion.) Then we
spend the month making our masks to go with the animal we will be. We get
a dad to dress as Noah and then our parade during the party (so families
can see us dressed) is for searching for Noah's lost boat. The children
really like it and we still have games, party treats and lots of fun! If
you need more details on how we make the masks. Please write me. It's
really quite easy!
Contact_FullName:
Carol
Contact_Email:
KidzRmylyf@aol.com
idea
One of my favorite books is "The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't
Afraid of Anything" By Linda Williams. Before reading the book, I
lay out a shirt, pants, shoes, gloves, hat, and scarecrow head. The
head can be a plastic pumpkin or make one out of fabric and paint on a
scarecrow face. This stimulates many questions. Read this great book about
2 shoes that go clomp,clomp, 1 pr. of pants that go wiggle wiggle..etc.
The children will join in. After the book use 1/2 sheets of newspaper
to crumple and stuff the scarecrow. The children call ours
"Grandpa". I put it in the reading center, on the floor and
they sit on his lap to read. You will hear them retelling the story
over and over. After Halloween, we empty the paper out of Grandpa and
pretend it's leaves. The children love to play in the paper as you
would dry leaves. At the end of the day we pick up all the paper and
bag it up for recycling. Great fun!
Date: 10-31-99
Contact_FullName:
Betsie
Contact_Email:
TashaPlus4@AOL
idea
Make Goop (cornstarch and water). Mix to desired consistency. Add
some black paint and plastic spiders, skeletons, and it has become
Halloween activity. We have the children wear paint shirts but you can
expect their nails to be slightly stained for a day of two. I know mine
has been.
Date: 10-31-99
Contact_FullName:
tracy
Contact_Email:
tsims74@aol.com
idea
Scarecrow
I use this idea when we are talking about autumn. take a brown sandwich
bag and cut the bottom off. fold bag out flat and fold four corners down
and staple. Now stuff with newspaper and fold over two remaining openings
and staple. use red, orange, and yellow construction paper to make a hat, a
bow for the neck tie. use buttons for eyes and a nose, and raffia paper
for hair. to top it off, put a feather in his hat....my kids love this
Date: 10-21-99
Contact_FullName:
Pat
Contact_Email:
Pfull714@aol.com
idea
During the last 2 weeks of October, I fill my sensory table with black
beans or black sunflower seeds and add small plastic orange pumpkins. The
kids enjoy the usual measuring and pouring but it gives a festive look!
Contact_FullName:
Contact_Email:
idea
Pumpkin patch; have children glue straw on bottom of black construction
paper. then have them tear orange tissue paper and roll it into
"pumpkins" and glue on the straw. Last have them paint a white full
moon, for "moonlit pumpkin patches" they look really pretty on the
wall with painted fall leaves "fluttering" around them.
Pop Goes the Pumpkin Have children blow up balloons and decorate ..
(construction paper cut-outs and glue ) At the sound of a whistle, children
throw up their balloon.. he/she finds it and has to pop it by sitting on it ...
... Fun for all ages ...
Date: 9-15-99
Name:
Ann
E-Mail:
dabates@yadtell.net
Date: 8-13-99
At my center for the month of October I put shredded paper in the sand and water table.
I then hide spiders and things that goes along with Halloween.
Name:
Robin
Email:
rlhfl9080@aol.com
Date: 11-7-98
For Halloween we practiced trick or treating. The children sit in a circle and I give
each of them a baggy of candy (enough for each child in the class & a little extra).
We talk about how our moms and dads go to the store and buy candy to give away. "This
is what we are going to do with our candy.(Give it Away)" All the children have a
second bag that they have decorated earlier to use to trick or treat with. When it is
their turn they walk around the circle and tap on the other's back saying Trick or Treat.
The children sitting must give them one candy. When they get back to where their original
candy bag (place they were sitting) they have a seat & begin to wait for "Trick
or Treaters". After Trick or Treating we find out what we do with the left over candy
at home. WE KEEP IT!!! My class of older fours loved this and so did the parents that
watched.
10-21-98
Name: Julie
E-Mail: jogg@netset.com
I get a very large pumpkin for my classroom. I put it at a table and I add golf tees,
wooden hammers and goggles. The children can pound the golf tees into the pumpkin and take
them out again and again. A pumpkin will last for about 2 weeks. Do not stop there!! Open
it up and explore the inside. When you are finished, set it outside for the squirrels.
They will make it disappear in a matter of a few days. Think of all the possibilities!!!!
10-14-98
Magic Pumpkins: I take a styrofoam cup and the kids fill it with soil. We
then plant pumpkin seeds and cover with soil and then sprinkle with magic pumpkin dust
(corn starch with orange powdered tempra paint, and a little glitter). The kids sprinkle
the dust over their cups and then go in for a rest. When they wake up, we go outside and
magic pumpkins are sitting on top of their cups. I use the little tiny mini pumpkins and
the kids really believe and just love this activity.
10-14-98
Name: Amber
E-Mail: AmberP813@aol.com
For the fall, I am planning on putting leaves in the sensory table! Another idea I have is
after exploring the inside of a pumpkin at the discovery table, put the pumpkin
"guts" in the sensory table!
Materials, small real pumpkins, washable markers, sponges, towel.
Procedure: Students design their own jack-o-lanterns by drawing faces on
the pumpkin with the colored washable markers. When finished, they erase with the wet
sponge. After drying with a towel, they are ready to make a new face! I have four pumpkins
in a center, and it is their favorite center this month!
10-14-98
Name: Catherine
E-Mail: catherinljm.yahoo.com
Pumpkin Man
Using orange construction paper cut out one large pumpkin shape (for the head) and four
small pumpkins (for the hands and feet). Using black construction cut out triangles for
the eyes and nose as well as a mouth. Glue them on the pumpkin head. Cut four long strips
from black construction paper and fold them in a fan like fashion. Use them as arms and
legs. Glue the small pumpkins to the ends of the strips and glue the strips to the pumpkin
in the places where arms and legs belong. Depending on the age of the children let them do
as much of the work on their own, with supervision.
10-14-98
Name: Kathy
E-Mail: MsKathyS@aol.com
Guess the Gourd Game
Buy several small gourds that have distinctive shapes. Blindfold the children and have
them guess which gourd they have just by feeling it. Before you start the game talk about
the shapes of the gourds, and what you will call each one. Example: I had a mini pumpkin,
one with a very long straight neck, one with a crooked neck, a smooth one, a very bumpy
one, and one with just a few bumps. This is a lot of fun!
10-14-98
Name: Mary
E-Mail: Bluegill95@aol.com
Take a gallon milk jug and pour orange paint inside, put the cap on and shake till the
inside is orange. Paint the cap green and add a face with paint or construction to the
outside of the carton and you have a pumpkin.
10-6-98
Name: Jen
E-Mail: jenni@golden.net
For a fun Halloween activity, fill your sensory bin half full with water. Add black
powdered tempera paint or mix food colouring together to turn the water black. Fill the
bottom with cooked spaghetti noodles. Let the kids squish away!
10-6-98
Name: marcia
E-Mail: deyre@nebonet.com
PUMPKIN PUZZLES
We take pumpkins and cut the tops, then we let the children take the seeds
out of the pumpkins. We draw faces and the teacher carves the pumpkin. Using the pieces
that were carved as puzzles the children put them in the pumpkin and then they pop them
out. They have lots of fun. I discovered this when a child took his own initiative and
started putting the pieces back in the pumpkin.
7-30-98
Name: Laura
E-Mail: P4TLJJ@aol.com
Cut out a pumpkin pattern from orange construction paper leaving a little
uncut so the pumpkin opens like a book. Cut out facial features for the children to glue
on. Cut a real jack-o-lantern and let the seeds dry. Take the seedsand glue inside your
pumpkin pattern. Sing this song with it: (to the tune of I'm a little teapot) I'm a little
pumpkin,short and round, sometimes I smile, sometimes I frown,If you lift my lid up then
you will see,all the seeds inside of me!
7-9-98
Name: Peggy Drake
E-Mail: hmmngbded@aol.com
Two Little Ghosts fingerplay
2 little ghosts - show 2 fingers
Looking at you - point
One named "Who" - put right hand on right shoulderOne named
"Boo" - put left hand on left shoulder
Fly away Who - fly rigtht hand behind back
Fly away Boo - fly left hand behind back
Come back Who - bring right hand back to right shoulder
Come back.....BOO!!!!! - say loudly and try to startle
This is most requested fingerplay I do with my 3 and 4 year olds -
probably because I always let them startle me!
3-29-98
Name: Kristi
E-Mail: B Ignoto@aol.com
I buy orange nail polish, and paint each child's thumb. After it has
dried, I use permanant maker (fine point sharpee) to draw on a jack-o-lantern face. The
kids love this, I have been doing it for years.
Our class takes a field trip to a local pumpkin patch. Each child picks
out their own pumpkin. Before we start our pumpkin projects a very important task must be
completed! Each child gives their own pumpkin a bubble bath in our classroom blow up pool.
It is a great sensory experience for the children. We use this pumpkin for
guesstimation,
comparing the different sizes, graphing a stem/without a stem. Each child paints their own
pumpkin. I have a few classroom pumpkins that we carve in small groups. I paint one
pumpkin for the class and use lollipops for its hair!
Find an appropriate haunted house pattern. Make several copies and color,
decorate, and laminate them as placemats. Find white lima beans at the grocery store and
turn them into ghost counters. Add eyes and mouth to the beans and you have a great math
center for Halloween. Have the kids put the ghosts in the haunted house and count them as
the go! They love it!
I bought small plastic jack-o-lanterns that are meant to be filled with
treats. I filled them with cotton balls that had been perfumed with scents from my pantry
(pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, peppermint extract, lemon peel, orange peel). I put
this in a sensory center. Children enjoy smelling the scents.
I put several mini pumpkins, small gourds, and indian corn in a basket
with magnifying lenses. I put it in the sensory center. Children feel the different
textures, look at the variety of colors, and examine them close up with the magnifying
lenses. Autumn leaves , pine cones and nuts can be added.
