Are you looking for a quick, easy, affordable fall activity for your therapy sessions? You're in luck-- all you need is a bag of pumpkins (or gourds)!

I have used the following activities with ages preschool to 6th grade, although I am sure you could make them work with students of all ages.

When choosing a bag of pumpkins, I look for the following qualifications:

Variety of colors. I look for bags including yellow, green, and orange pumpkins.
Variety of textures. Often, these small bags of pumpkins will include some that are smooth and some that are bumpy.
Variety of shapes. I like bags that contain some round, some oval, and some long, squash-shaped pumpkins.
Variety of patterns. I look for bags including pumpkins that are solid, spotted, and/or striped.

*Bagged gourds, such as these, are a perfect alternative for full-sized pumpkins!*

TARGETED GOALS

Compare and contrast.
For younger students, have them choose two pumpkins they want to compare/contrast. Have them draw their two pumpkins, then compare/contrast them using a Venn diagram on the board. I prefer to write on the Venn diagram while we brainstorm together.
For older students, have them choose two pumpkins they want to compare/contrast. Compare/contrast the pumpkins together using a Venn diagram (with older students, I have them fill out their own Venn diagram). Then, have the students write a few sentences or a paragraph (or two) comparing and contrasting the pumpkins.
Vocabulary.
Pair these pumpkins with fun, simple songs, such as "5 Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Gate." My younger students love having the pumpkins to go along with the song, and can practice counting, naming actions, etc. as we go along with the song!
Joint attention.
These pumpkins are a fun alternative to a ball when working on joint attention. Simply sit on the floor and roll the pumpkins back and forth. Also, pumpkins are great for joint attention because they are something different. Often, students are intrigued to see and touch something so novel.
Parts of a whole.
Students can choose a pumpkin to draw on their paper, then label the parts of the pumpkin. This is especially fun to do after discussing the pumpkin life cycle, as students are typically more aware of some of the parts of a pumpkin.
Prepositions.
Everybody gets a pumpkin and places it somewhere in the room. You can make this a "hide and seek" activity OR let everyone see where the pumpkins are but the student verbally discloses where the pumpkin is located (i.e. "My pumpkin is behind something you use to type" or "I see your pumpkin. It is under a blue chair.")
Body parts.
With younger students, target body part vocabulary by placing the pumpkin on various body parts, like Simon Says. Students love to place their pumpkins behind their backs, between their hands, under their knees, and on their belly buttons!
Sorting by attribute.
If you buy multiple pumpkins, the students may brainstorm attributes (categories) to sort the pumpkins by. They can sort the pumpkins by size, color, shape, or texture.
Describing.
Use the EET with these pumpkins! Everyone chooses a pumpkin (or use one for the whole group) and describes their pumpkin. Using the EET is always more fun when you have a hands-on object to pair it with!
Requesting.
Encourage requesting while using the pumpkins in varying activities, such as choosing a pumpkin to describe, roll, hide, etc.