Painting a Pumpkin Patch with Marshmallows

​During circle time the children were excited about our trip to the pumpkin patch and carving their pumpkins with their family. We decided to extend their curiosity and excitement by making a pumpkin picture. Children love to recreate what they see in real-life. 

Our snack arrived and it included marshmallows and pretzels. An idea was born when Sally put her pretzel into the marshmallow and we decided it would make a great pumpkin stamp.

​We set aside some of the pretzels and marshmallows and let the children put their stamps together themselves. It is a good idea to have some extra marshmallows and pretzels on hand for children to nibble on, so they don’t eat the ones they are using for their art project.

Each child was given a plate with orange paint and one with green paint. The children could pick which color of paper they wanted to use for their pumpkin project. 

​Lightly press marshmallow into orange paint and then stamp paper with marshmallow to create pumpkins. Use fingers or end of pretzel stick to add stems and/or vines to the pumpkins. ​

Use caution with young child as they may try to eat the marshmallow and pretzel with the paint on it.

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Resource Articles for Personal Enrichment

• Using Food in the Classroom, Lisa Murphy, M.Ed., Ooey Gooey Lady
• Discussion on Food Use in the Early Childhood Classroom, Deborah J. Stewart, M.Ed., Teach Preschool
• Should Food be used in Preschool Sensory Activities?, Rachelle Doorley, Tinkerlab

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