roasting pumpkin seeds

Age group: from 2 years onwards

Supplies

  • Adult apron

  • Child apron or smock

  • 1 pumpkin (small/medium for one child, large if with a group)

  • Pen or marker, to mark cutting line on top of pumpkin

  • Knife for carving pumpkin, wrapped in a napkin

  • 1 large and two medium bowls

  • Spoons for scooping

  • 1 cookie sheet

  • Greaseproof paper to cover cookie sheet

  • Olive oil

  • Salt

  • Scissors to cut greaseproof paper

  • Optional: child-sized food safe gloves

 

Indirect purpose of this activity: the development of hand eye coordination and fine motor skills, vocabulary,

Presentation:

*preheat oven to 350F/180C*

  1. Hygiene: Invite the child to join you in putting on their apron or smock, to keep their clothing clean during the activity. If wearing long sleeves, invite the child to roll their sleeves up, offer assistance as needed. Continue on to wash your hands together, so your food preparation activity is done with clean hands.

  2. Note: this activity can also be done at a countertop, providing the child is at counter height. If using a tower, it should be secure and should allow the child to move safely while working. If at a countertop, the adult should carry any heavy items for safety’s sake. If using a countertop, proceed to step 3.

  3. Preparing work space: Depending on the size of the pumpkin and child, either bring it to a surface suitable for a child’s height, or invite the child to do so. If the child is carrying it, make sure to encourage them to pick it up before carrying, instead of handing it over to them. This will enable them to gauge the pumpkin’s weight. After the pumpkin is safely in the work space, you and the child can bring the rest of the materials over. The adult should be the person to bring the knife to the work space, unless it is specifically a child-safe pumpkin carving knife. This is to ensure safety during the activity.

  4. Parts of the pumpkin: Take a minute or two to have a look at the pumpkin. Name the different parts, note colors, textures, smells etc. (For example “Feel the ridges in the skin! They are quite bumpy, aren’t they?”)

  5. Marking the spot: Using the pen or marker, invite the child to mark a medium-sized circle around the stem of the pumpkin. Your level of assistance in this will be dependent on their age/their motor skills. When finished, replace the lid on the pen/marker and put it to the side.

  6. Carving: Carefully unwrap the knife from the napkin, showing the child while you do so. Point out and name the various parts, and remind them that the blade is sharp. Either ask the child to take a step to the side, so they can safely watch you carve around the circle, or show them how to hold the child-safe knife safely, and invite them to begin to cut around. The skin will likely be tough, so you will probably need to assist. This will also be dependent on the age/ability of the child. Once the top has been fully cut, pull it off and have a look inside. You can also name what you see inside, ie. seeds and flesh.

  7. Scooping: Before beginning to scoop out the seeds and strings of flesh, take the spoon and mix inside the pumpkin. You can also invite the child to do the same. This will loosen everything up inside and make it easier to remove it. Then show how to scoop up the insides and put them in the big bowl. Together, scoop out the insides of the pumpkin. 

  8. Sorting: once the pumpkin is empty, you can begin to separate the seeds from the strings of flesh by putting them into their own bowls. This is best done by hand, if the child does not enjoy the sensory input of this activity, food safe gloves can be used at this juncture. Once all the seeds are in their own bowl, bring them to the sink and rinse thoroughly .

  9. Preparing to Roast: Invite the child to help you cut a length of greaseproof paper to put on the cookie sheet. Together, scoop the seeds and place them in one layer across it. Drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with salt.

  10. Roasting: Put the tray on the middle shelf of the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the seeds are golden. When the seeds have been roasted, remove and let cool for a few minutes.

  11. Clean up: Together, clean up the bowls, spoons and cookie sheet. You can carve a face in the pumpkin (now, or on another occasion) and use it as a lantern.

Storage note: These seeds are best kept in an airtight container in a cool dry place. If stored correctly, they can keep for about a month.