Rolling Pumpkins in the Pumpkin Patch
At a fall party with no scares, children are pumpkins in the patch that rock, roll across mats, grow and make funny faces. It works log rolling around the body’s long axis and body control.
How to play
- We are tiny pumpkins: curled up on the floor, rock forward, back and to the side without letting go of the knees (2 min).
- Pumpkins rolling downhill: on a row of mats, each child log-rolls with arms stretched overhead to the end and walks back around to start again (3 min).
- Growing pumpkins: with the music, go from a little ball to a huge pumpkin very slowly; when it stops, back to a seed! (2 min).
- The farmer picks faces: the teacher calls “happy pumpkin,” “sleepy” or “surprised” and we show it with our face and whole body (3 min).
- Pumpkins in the wagon: in pairs, one is a curled-up pumpkin and the other gently rocks it side to side; then switch (2 min).
Rules
- Only one pumpkin rolls on the mat at a time.
- We wait until the pumpkin ahead reaches the end.
- Pumpkins rock gently, no pushing.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, roll down a mat propped on a soft slope and the teacher helps start the roll.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, log roll on flat mats and try rolling both ways.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, roll without arms touching the mat and finish in a pumpkin pose of their choice.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: an adult helps the child roll on the mat, or the pumpkin rocks while sitting with support.
- Autism: if partner contact is uncomfortable, the pumpkin rocks on its own or with the teacher.
- Hearing loss: when the music stops, the teacher also closes a hand like a seed.
Learning goals
- Roll along the body’s long axis with control.
- Move between tucked and stretched positions.
- Show feelings with face and body.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Mats: 6
- Music
Teacher tip
Keep an adult at the end of the mats to stop children who drift sideways. Keep it festive with friendly pumpkins and no monsters, so children who find Halloween scary can join in too.
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