Pumpkin Activities for Upper Elementary: A Cross-Curricular Autumn Booklet

Pumpkins have been part of fall traditions for centuries. They’ve been used in cooking, celebrations, and even storytelling. From Native American agriculture to colonial harvests, they’ve long been a symbol of resourcefulness and seasonal change. So it’s no surprise they make a great anchor for learning, especially when it comes to pumpkin activities for upper elementary.

If you’re looking for a way to bring a little autumn joy into your classroom without sacrificing content, this pumpkin booklet might be just the thing. It’s designed for upper elementary students and covers reading, writing, math, and science in a way that feels festive but still focused.

Flexible Pumpkin Activities for Your Autumn Classroom

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all activity. While the pages aren’t editable, you can easily print just the ones that fit your students’ needs. Whether you’re differentiating reading levels, choosing math topics, or focusing on writing genres, it’s easy to mix and match.

I’ve used it in small groups, whole-class settings, and even as a choice board during centers. It’s one of those resources that quietly supports your plans while still feeling seasonal and fun.

Just be sure to allow a little prep time for students to cut out the pages and staple them together. I’ve found that prepping one day and diving into the activity the next works well in my classroom. While students are cutting out the pages you’ve printed, you can have them talk about what they already know about pumpkins. If you’d like to build in some intentional discussion time, they can be ready to share their ideas at the end.

Autumn Reading Passages with Differentiation for Grades 3–5

There are two pumpkin-themed reading passages included in the booklet. One focuses on fall harvest traditions and leans more toward a fictional reading style. The other explores the pumpkin life cycle through an expository lens. Each passage comes in three differentiated levels (A, B, and C), so you can support a range of readers without needing to rewrite anything. The comprehension questions are consistent across all levels, which makes group discussion and grading a little easier.

Autumn-Themed Math Practice for Upper Elementary

Pumpkins aren’t just for carving—they’re perfect for math too! While the word problems aren’t directly tied to pumpkins (I found that got a little too repetitive), the seasonal theme still carries through the booklet. Most math pages include three questions each, except for the counting money page, which has two.

There are seven math topics included, so you can pick and choose based on what you’ve taught, what you’re currently teaching, or what you’d like to review from previous years:

• Multi-step word problems
• Multiplication word problems
• Addition word problems
• Subtraction word problems
• Place value word problems
• Rounding numbers word problems
• Counting money — identifying and adding visual coins

Whether you’re using these for spiral review, centers, or independent practice, they’re easy to plug into your routine without needing extra prep.

Pumpkin Science That’s Hands-On and Curious

The pumpkin life cycle pages are great for sequencing and vocabulary, and there’s a simple experiment page where students observe pumpkins in different states: fresh, frozen, and roasted. It’s a gentle way to introduce scientific observation and sensory language.

My students were especially fascinated by knocking on the frozen mini pumpkin and comparing the sound to the fresh one. A quick heads-up about the roasted pumpkin—if you have students with texture sensitivities, it helps to give a warning ahead of time or let them touch it with just one finger. I never required any student to interact with something they were uncomfortable with. Instead, they paired up for discussion, and their partner used descriptive language to explain the texture of the roasted pumpkin. It was a great way to build vocabulary and empathy.

If you’re up for it, you can even bring in a pumpkin pie and let students compare textures, smells, and changes. It’s messy in the best way. The same texture warning applies here. The first year I tried this, most of my students had never tasted pumpkin pie, so tiny slivers were all that was needed. The following year, I sent home a quick email explaining the activity, and a parent offered to bake the pie—which took one thing off my plate. Asking families if they have mini pumpkins to donate can also be helpful for the experiment.

In addition to the experiment, there are two pumpkin life cycle activity pages. One invites students to draw and label each stage, while the other lets them cut and paste the stages in order. One year, I paired the life cycle page with a lined writing page and had students explain the process in their own words. It’s easy to adapt based on your students’ needs and writing goals.

Pumpkin Writing Prompts for Narrative and Expository Practice

The writing section includes both narrative and expository prompts, with just enough autumn-themed inspiration to spark ideas without overwhelming students. One prompt invites them to write a story from the pumpkin’s point of view, which always brings out some creative surprises. Another walks them through a how-to guide for carving or cooking, making procedural writing feel approachable and fun.

These pages work well for morning work, writing centers, or hallway displays if you’re looking to showcase student voice. I’ve found that kids really enjoy the mix of creativity and structure. It’s a gentle way to practice genre writing without it feeling like a test prep moment.

There’s also a blank-lined page right after each prompt that students can use to extend their writing. You can handwrite your own prompt that fits your current unit or classroom theme. One year, I added a prompt about pumpkin recipes after a student shared their family’s favorite dish. It turned into a whole class cookbook project. So feel free to make it your own.

Bonus Pumpkin Activities: Word Search, Maze, and Creative Coloring

There’s a word search and a maze included, and they make great options for early finishers or just to add a little fun to the booklet wherever you choose to include them. They’re simple extras that give students a chance to relax and enjoy the theme without stepping away from the learning.

I also let my students color the back page of the pumpkin however they wanted, and they really enjoyed it. A few got especially creative and turned it into a jack-o’-lantern. If you decide to let students cut out that back page, it helps to give clear directions ahead of time. Most of my students just drew a face on the pumpkin. However, I adjusted the instructions depending on the group and the year. It’s a small touch, but it gives students a chance to personalize their work and take pride in what they’ve created.

Download a Free Pumpkin Activity Sampler for Your Autumn Lessons

If you’d like to take a closer look, I’ve included a free sampler of the pumpkin activities for upper elementary below. It features:

• one of the reading passages (with all three differentiated levels)
• comprehension questions
• addition and coin-counting math pages
• a creative writing prompt
• a draw-the-life-cycle activity
• The maze page

Feel free to download your copy and see how it fits into your classroom by clicking the image below.

You can also pin this blog post for later. Whether you’re planning for October or just saving it for a cozy weekend prep session, you can come back to check out these pumpkin activities for upper elementary anytime.

some other science-related blog posts you might be interested in: Back to School Science and Reading Connections, Grades 5-6, and Engaging Students with Weather.