"Spooly" Pumpkin

Not only is this activity GREAT fine-motor practice for your little one (since it’s basically a lacing activity), it also makes for a super-cute decoration around the house!

The inspiration for this little activity came while I realized I had run out of thread while sewing. The little empty spool of thread has sat on my table for a couple days and I’ve been racking my brain trying to think of something to do with it (and in case you’re wondering whether it is “wracking” or “racking”, it is in fact “racking”…I looked it up).

Here’s what you’ll need:  an empty spool (thread or ribbon), orange ribbon or yarn, and a small piece of tape. We didn’t have any orange yarn, but I found some clearance orange and yellow gingham ribbon at a local store for next to nothing. I wasn’t sure it would look right at first, but was pleased when we were finished.

1. Take piece of tape (I used packing tape) and wrap it tightly around the end of the ribbon. The bigger the “handle,” the easier it will be for your little one.

2. Let your child start threading the ribbon through the spool. Thread and pull, thread and pull. :)  As it gets “full” it will get more difficult. I had to take over at the end because Big Brother was getting frustrated.

3. Once you’re finished, “fluff’ the ribbon and stick a twig from the yard on top.

We had some ribbon left over, so we just used the spool the ribbon came on to make a short, squaty pumpkin.

Literature Link
Runaway Pumpkin
Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis

*This post was featured on ABC and 123 Show and Tell.

8 Comments

  1. I love this ideas….and better yet, I used up a spool of thread yesterday – can't wait until we do our "fall unit" in the next few weeks!

  2. We just recently did a similar craft at our house with the wax covered yarn Wikki Stix. I was pleased to find out that we could order them in single color packs for our Halloween projects.

    I got 25% off my order by using a coupon code MB24 during checkout. http://www.wikkistix.com

  3. How cute is this?? I love that it's so easy to make, and will look great on my mantle too! I've added this to my roundup today. Thanks for sharing!

  4. I am so excited about trying out many of the ideas I’ve seen on here! It’s a great place to see and share ideas for those who have young children at home or are doing Home School.

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