intro:
It's harvest time! These simple beaded pumpkins are easy to make, and great for building fine motor skills in little hands. With a simple shape and just a couple of colors, it's remarkable how easy it can be to represent real-world objects.

set up ideas:
Pony beads come in so many varieties, you may wish to provide solid color, transparent, metallic and other unique orange pony beads.

let's get started

 
You don't need much to create these cute beaded pumpkins. Simply gather green pipe cleaners and orange pony beads and you are ready to begin. You may choose to make large beaded pumpkins or smaller, bracelet-sized pumpkins.

 
step 1
If you'd like to make your beaded pumpkin into a bracelet, begin by cutting the pipe cleaner to an appropriate length. Otherwise, you may use the whole pipe cleaner.
step 2
Straighten the pipe cleaner and begin adding orange beads. Leave some space at the ends of the pipe cleaner to allow room for tying off the ends.
step 3
With the pipe cleaner filled with beads, fold the ends toward each other and tie them together. The green pipe cleaner will resemble a stem for your pumpkin.
step 4
Wear your beaded pumpkin on your wrist or arm, attach it to your backpack or put it on display.

Conversation
Discuss the colors used and how a simple shape (circle) and two colors can be used to represent real-world objects like pumpkins.
Pumpkins are a popular item this time of year, as they are in harvest. Discuss what other foods are popular in the fall and why.
Tips and Tricks Tips and Tricks
Before beginning, you may cut the pipe cleaner to length in order to wear it as a bracelet. You also may wish to add a couple of black beads to the pipe cleaner to represent the eyes of a jack-o-lantern.
Follow Up ActivityFollow up Activity
Challenge children to create their own unique objects using just pipe cleaners and pony beads. Some easy Halloween ideas may include ghosts, witch hats, spiders and bats.