Pom Pom Pumpkin Soup Activity for Toddlers and Preschoolers

If you are looking for a simple pom pom activity or a pumpkin themed activity to do with your toddlers or preschoolers, try this one.

You don't need much in the way of materials, and it doesn't require much hands-on involvement from the grown-ups.The big fun element of this activity centers around pom poms. Who doesn't love pom poms?! Any time I bring them out, kids go crazy, no matter their age. Because of this, I always keep a bunch on hand. You never know when inspiration for a pom pom craft or activity will strike.That's what happened with this Pom Pom Pretend PlayPumpkin Soup Activity for Toddlers and Preschoolers. Give it a try.

Please note, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I only link to items I have personally tried out and believe to be of value.

Here's what you need:

• orange pom poms (supervise so these don't end up in anyone's mouth)

• pail/basket/bag (something to put pom poms in when "picking pumpkins")

• tongs of some sort (optional but adds a lot of fun and fine motor practice) I list our favorites at the end of the post.

• bowls of various sizes

• mixing spoon

• (optional) other toy kitchen items (veggies) to add to the "pumpkin soup." I link to our favorite at the end of the post.

Here's how to play:

toddler pom pom pick up activity

1. Create a "pumpkin patch" by dumping the orange pom poms on the floor of a wide open space. (Yes this makes a mess at first, but don't worry - clean up is built into this activity.)

2. Show kids how to "pick pumpkins" by picking up one pom pom at a time (hopefully with tongs) and putting it back in the pail. (Older kids can have fun by tossing the pom poms into the pail.)

3.  When kids are done at the "pumpkin patch" show them how to pour their "pumpkins" (pom poms) into a bowl to start making "pumpkin soup."

4.  Provide bowls of different sizes for kids to pour the pom poms from one to the next. (This pouring back and forth will probably keep them engaged for a good while.) 

5. Provide a really big bowl and mixing spoon (stainless steel, wooden, or plastic) and additional play kitchen ingredients for kids to stir together and make "pumpkin soup."

6. Invite stuffed animals to the table and serve them the pumpkin soup.

Notes:

• If you don't have enough orange pom poms, feel free to add green and yellow pom poms to the mix and then just call it "Squash Soup" instead and pretend like you're harvesting from a garden instead of a pumpkin patch.

• Kids may want to dump and pick up the pom poms repeatedly before moving on to the pumpkin soup part of the activity.

• Kids will be more inclined to pick up the pom poms if the grown up works alongside them (at least in the beginning).

• Don't be afraid to leave the pom pom mess on the floor for a while. I was surprised when the kiddo came back to it almost an hour later and picked them up and played again.

• If you leave the materials in sight, the kids will probably want to "make pumpkin soup" over and over for the next few days.

Affiliate Links: The following images are links to Amazon. While I believe in shopping local, I had a hard time finding tongs that my toddler could use. I ordered this set below 4 years ago, and they are still working great providing lots of fun for lots of kiddos. The toy vegetables and condiments provide great fine motor practice (cutting and twisting off caps) and add lots of extra pretend play fun.I'd love to see your kids making pumpkin soup. If you share on Instagram please tag me @tiffiny_spire so I can see (and share).

I would greatly appreciate it if you would share this post by pinning the image below.

And if you like pumpkin activities, check out our post on things you can do with mini pumpkins.