This pumpkin sensory bin resembles everything you would find at a real pumpkin patch. Kids can pick and count pumpkins, see farm animals, and more!

This post contains a free printable at the bottom of the post.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
― Albert Camus

Sensory bins are excellent for early learning, and great for children with sensory-seeking behaviors. They provide opportunities for rich learning for kids as children are engaged and using many of their senses during play. This is a really fun bin for all ages in the Fall – be sure to check out the bottom of the post to modify this for toddlers all the way through older children.

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Pumpkin Sensory Bin

This pumpkin sensory bin is great for all ages. Below there are different play options for varying ages.

Additionally, the older child version includes a free printable pumpkin life cycle story wheel to discuss while playing.

I like to use different trays and pans for sensory play depending on what we are doing, but a clear scrapbook paper container like this one with a lid is a sure favorite. When the kids are done playing, I can close it up and save it for another day easily.

What you need for the pumpkin sensory bin:

Bin or tray (we used an orange metal serving tray here)

Gray play sand/fine play gravel

Fake pumpkins

Wooden fence (optional)

various scoops/spoons

Wooden bucket (we used a bird nest that we had)

Hay

Farm animals (optional)

What to do:

Lay the play sand in the bottom of the bin and add a fence piece. The fence isn’t necessary at all, but for toddlers, it’s a fun way to transfer from side to side in the bin, a small practice in crossing the midline.

Add the fake pumpkins to the bin along with some scoops and bowls.

As a fun twist to your pretend pumpkin patch, place some farm animals in the bin. This has become a really fun component for us, especially when paired with the hay bale.

The assembly is done! Kids can now go pumpkin picking. Check out some modifications below for various ages to kick this pumpkin sensory bin up a notch!

To Use this Pumpkin Sensory Bin with Toddlers:

These pumpkins which can be bought at the craft store, or real mini pumpkins, are fairly large for little toddler hands to handle. Grasping the pumpkins and placing them in a pile or attempting to stack them is great practice for toddlers!

To Use this Sensory Bin with Preschoolers:

Sensory bins are excellent tools to practice counting with preschoolers. Lay some numbers written on pumpkins next to the bin and have your preschooler count out the number of corresponding pumpkins from the patch.

The farm animals make a nice addition to this pumpkin sensory bin for preschoolers, it will encourage pretend play and might even replicate a pumpkin patch they might visit on a field trip or with their family.

To Use this Sensory Bin with Elementary Ages:

It seems that pumpkin patches are universal for kids of varying ages, they love to hunt for the perfect pumpkin! Use this bin to discuss various weights, shapes and sizes of pumpkins.

Additionally, this is a wonderful opportunity to discuss how a pumpkin grows. Did your kids know that they grow on a vine? Or what a pumpkin flower looks like?

Print the free pumpkin life cycle story wheel below to use in conjunction with this pumpkin sensory bin with older children.