Pounding Pumpkins

Pounding Pumpkins

Today we had another rainy day! 

So it was time to think of another indoor activity. I remembered I had bought this styrofoam pumpkin at the dollar store and had also bought golf tees for a different DIY game I had in mind. 

I set up the pumpkin, golf tees, and a wooden toy hammer on a tray. 

First, I let him explore the materials. Then after a bit I showed him how I put the golf tees into the pumpkin. It only took one example and he was off and running with this activity!

Once he was finished putting the golf tees in he asked me to put them on the sides. Well I learned quickly that round and sideways don't go together. Luckily the pumpkin is a hollow so I easily cut it in half. 

Much better! 

He continued with this activity for a good bit. 

Here's one half after some hammering:

Remember to adjust the activity to your child's level. You can also vary this activity in many ways!

-You can color the tees and draw circles in coordinating colors on the pumpkins and have them hammer the tees on the coordinating color.

-You can use a real pumpkin and a real hammer.

-You can have the tees already hammered in and have child pull them out and drop them in a cup.

Those are just a few ways to modify, but again so many possibilities!

Hammering is a great way to work on fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, learning to use tools properly, and role-playing and imagination.

This was a very easy and fun activity for our indoor afternoon!

Keep making sure you Say No to Bunnies =)