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Easy fall math: Measuring the circumference of a pumpkin

2 Comments Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade

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This is a super easy fall math activity for kids. All you need is one or more pumpkins, some string, a pair of scissors, and a tape measure. With these tools, your kids will be ready to estimate the circumference of a pumpkin and learn a few math skills as they do!

Note: You’ll find more fall learning resources on my Fall Activities for Kids page. 

Measuring the circumference of a pumpkin is an easy fall math activity to do with kids. This post includes instructions for a simple measuring activity as well as several extension activities for kids with more advanced math skills. || Gift of Curiosity

Circumference is the distance around an object. Circumference is also a great geometry vocabulary word to introduce to kids. My kids and I talked about what the circumference of a pumpkin was, and then we set about measuring it.

During the time we did this activity, my son was going through a period where he was fascinated by measuring things and loved any opportunity to use the measuring tape. So we wrapped some string around the horizontal circumference of the pumpkin and cut the string to size.

Measuring the circumference of a pumpkin is an easy fall math activity to do with kids. This post includes instructions for a simple measuring activity as well as several extension activities for kids with more advanced math skills. || Gift of Curiosity

Then we measured the string with a tape measure. QBoy was so proud of his ability to read the numbers on the measuring tape and tell us how big the circumference was.

Measuring the circumference of a pumpkin is an easy fall math activity to do with kids. This post includes instructions for a simple measuring activity as well as several extension activities for kids with more advanced math skills. || Gift of Curiosity

This is such an easy fall math activity, but despite its simplicity it still gives kids the opportunity to practice plenty of great math skills. You can also use a flexible, cloth measuring tape to eliminate the need to cut a string to size.

Extension activities

Depending on the ages and skills of the kids you are working with, there are several variations on this activity you might try:

  • Measure several pumpkins and then place the strings for each pumpkin’s measurement in order from smallest to largest. Measure the differences between the strings.
  • Have your kids estimate the circumference before measuring it, either by guessing the number of inches or centimeters or by cutting a string to what they believe the correct size will be.
  • Measure both the circumference (distance around) and the diameter (distance across) of the pumpkin and compare the two measurements, particularly their ratio. Do the same for several pumpkins and see if the ratio between circumference and diameter is the same for all the pumpkins.
  • Measure the circumference of several pumpkins and then calculate the average (mean) circumference of all the pumpkins.
steam-kids-halloween-collage-rev

Looking for more Halloween projects that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)? Then you’ll love STEAM Kids Halloween.

This e-book includes 50+ pages of spooky fun STEAM activities that will wow the boredom right out of kids!

More pumpkin resources for kids

More pumpkin posts from Gift of Curiosity:

  • Describe a pumpkin using all 5 senses
  • Pumpkin decomposition demonstration
  • Pumpkin decomposition experiment
  • Pumpkin arts and crafts
  • Pumpkin do-a-dot printables
  • Printable pumpkin outlines

Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Fall activities for kids on Pinterest.

Filed Under: Preschool, Fall, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, Halloween, Math

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Reader Interactions

2 Comments

  1. Erin @ Nourishing My Scholar

    October 21, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    This is such a great idea!!!! Pinning and sharing! I love this!

    Reply to this comment
  2. Lou Lou Girls

    October 26, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    Great ideas! Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for being a part of our party! I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. We love partying with you! Lou Lou Girls

    Reply to this comment

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I help parents who are transitioning into homeschooling shed old mindsets and embrace their homeschooling superpowers so they can create a homeschool they love where their children will thrive.

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