Lucky Pumpkin Game- An October Activity

I can take absolutely NO credit for this post.  This idea did not originate with me, but I thought it was so great that I wanted to share it with all my friends in blog world.

One of Kylie's Occupational Therapists (Marsha) came up with a way to adapt the game "Lucky Ducks" for Fall/October. 

Kylie LOVES it!!

While shopping at Dollar Tree one afternoon, (see? I LOVE Dollar Tree), Marsha found some mini, plastic, pumpkins in the candy aisle.  They actually hold a citrus flavored powder (like a pixie stick).  They are packaged in a clear box and there are 6 pumpkins in each box (6 pumpkins for $1).

You would need 2 boxes of pumpkins to make a complete game, but you could always adapt the game to work with however many you have.

Marsha also found a package of 12 foam sheet pumpkins (all 12 for $1- you will only need 4 of the 12)

She put garage sale colored dots on the bottom of the plastic pumpkins (4 in each color of red, yellow, blue and green).

On the back of one of the foam pumpkins, she put 4 red dots.  On another pumpkin she put 4 blue dots and so on...  (I only had 3 colors, so I only used 3 dots)

This is the "fast version" of play for Lucky Pumpkins

This version is a bit harder so it takes a little longer to play

Then, you play "Lucky Pumpkins" the same way you play "Lucky Ducks".  

I thought this little narrative on the original directions was cute.  For Lucky Pumpkins, you would modify it to "rolled down to the pumpkin patch", "spent all day playing", and etc.

Game Play:  Each player (starting with the youngest player) takes a turn picking up a pumpkin and trying to match the dot on the bottom of the plastic pumpkin to the dots on their pumpkin card.  It is a little more difficult than a memory game as the pumpkins travel around the moving pond (- or you could call the pond a "pumpkin patch").

To Win: The first player to collect all their required pumpkins, wins.

As soon as we got out of therapy that day, I made a bee-line for Dollar Tree and bought the pumpkins and foam cards.  We didn't own the game "Lucky Ducks" so I checked Craigs List and found one for $1.50 (SCORE!!)

This game - which can be played multiple ways, has cost me all of $3.50!!

We have also been working on teaching Kylie how to take turns.  To make it easy for her to remember whose turn is next, we give her a little reminder card.

Kylie is easily distracted and tires easily so this has helped her have more endurance and requires less "remembering" so we can work on other skills as well.

Kylie paitently waiting to play

As Kylie gets older, we can adapt the game again to accommodate math problems (The answers to problems can be on the pumpkins and the actual equation can be on the foam pumpkins).

P.S. The pink case that is housing my pumpkins came from Michael's Craft Store (Their receipts are printing coupons for 40-50% off any item not on sale.)

Have you ever adapted a toy or game? or do you have a creative October activity to share? I'd love to hear about it!

Kylie Wins!!

Pumpkin Nailing - A Fun Halloween Activity

I found this idea of pounding nails into a pumpkin here and here and wanted to give it a try.

I wasn't sure how this would go.  I had visions of a mutilated pumpkin and sticky, yucky, guck everywhere, but surprisingly it was a very neat (and fun) activity.  It was also a GREAT exercise for Kylie's fine motor muscles and fabulous for working on hand/eye coordination and visual spacing. 

I love how my wee one is "working" but SHE thinks she is playing!  That is a win-win to me!!  =0)

ok, so here are the supplies we used:

*2 inch Galvanized Roofing Nails (these have larger heads so it was an easier target for her hammer)
*Hammer (child size is best)
*Pumpkin
*Sharpy Permanent Marker

We also had Kylie start the activity by wearing her sunglasses as protective eye-wear, but we found that we didn't need them.  It probably depends on your pumpkin firmness and how animated your child is with a hammer, but we quickly ditched the glasses as there were no flying pieces or any eye danger present.

We started out by drawing a face on the pumpkin (using our permanent marker).  We asked Kylie probing questions (giving her choices) to determine how our pumpkin face would look:
*Should the pumpkin be happy or grouchy?
*Should we have Triangles or Ovals for Eyes?
*Should our nose be big or little?

Then we poked the nails into the pumpkin skin and had Kylie hammer them in.  I love how she is focusing here! 

As you can see, she was having a pretty good time!! She kind of liked pounding those nails in.

Even Daddy got in on the fun! (Tools= My man's presence)

I love how her little tongue is sticking out in concentration. 

After a while, we started to push 2-3 nails into the pumpkin at a time and then she would have a choice as to which one to pound in.  She really liked having the extra choices and it made her pound harder.  I think it drove her crazy that there were "unfinished nails"

And here is the final pumpkin!!  It's a little heavy and her arms are a little tired!!

She's so proud of her hard work!!  We love making memories with our girl!!

Glowing Pumpkin Decor and Craft idea - VERY inexpensive

If you can't tell, I am on a Dollar Tree kick!  I LOVE to save money and still participate in holidays and other events. 

I help to coordinate a Bible Study for Moms of Special Needs kids and was looking for a good craft idea to go along with an October lesson.  I was browsing through Dollar Tree, saw a clear glass candy dish and I was blessed with this idea!  =0)

I used these supplies:
*Craft paint - nothing special (I used paint that I have literally had for 10 years)
*Glass Candy Dish with Lid ($1 at Dollar Tree)
*1 battery operated Tea Light Candle (3 for $1 at Dollar Tree)
*Blue Painters Tape (There is also a green version - it would work fine as well)
*Glitter or Glitter paint
*Razor Blade

Directions:
*Use the paint tape to make the face of your pumpkin.  (cut or tear the eyes and mouth)
*Stick them on the clear glass bowl
*Paint the bowl (I used a gold color as I was out of orange)
*Paint the lid (I used a dark green)
*After the paint dries, Pain over your base coat with the glitter paint
Note: If you are using plain glitter, sprinkle it on before your paint dries
*When everything is dry, score the paint around the tape (use a razor blade.  If you don't do this step, your paint may lift off when you take off the tape)
*Remove the tape (Those areas will be clear glass.  If any paint got under the tape, just scrape it off with your fingernail or use the razor blade - it comes right off)
*Place the battery operated Tea light candle inside

*Enjoy your glowing pumpkin

What affordable, fall, crafting ideas do you have? I would love to be inspired!!

Happy Crafting
Amy