Last minute harvest festival - pumpkin bean bag toss

Last week I learned that my son's school is not allowing costumes for Halloween. I was so upset, I offered to plan a harvest festival for his class. So this week I am scrounging around to put together a party for 20 first graders!

Here is my first activity - pumpkin bean bag toss

Materials:

old coffee or formula can - clean with sharp opening taped over

pretty scrap paper - size of can label

sheet of printable fabric

computer with clip art

8 1/2" x 11" scrap fabric

sewing machine with thread

2 cups dry beans

Directions:

Tape or glue pretty paper over can label. Can will be target.

Print 6 - 2 1/2" clip arts of pumpkins (I image searched on line) on printable fabric be sure to leave at least 1/2" between images. the more space the better, for seam allowance.

Trim images leaving the most amount of extra fabric as possible.

lay on scrap fabric face sides together.

cut around printed fabric.

sew together with 1/8" seam allowance. Leaving a 1 1/2" opening. be sure to back stitch at start and finish.

turn right side out.

stuff with dried beans. I used some garbanzos that had been in my cupboard for years.

turn opening edges in and stitch shut.

Now you have a bean bag toss game. I am thinking of dividing the bean bags, making another can and having two games going.

Other activities:

face painting - we have several nontoxic face painting sets. I am thinking of printing out stencils so a parent can easily make images on faces for those kids who don't want to draw on their own. Otherwise I will bring a mirror and let kids draw their own. after all it washes off.

The old stand in, Bobbing for apples - a big tub of water and 20 apples, what could be simpler?

Roll the Gourd - our farmer's market is the day before the party. I plan on getting a nice round and bumpy gourd or squash. then we place a target on the floor and have the children try to roll the gourd into the target.

Guess the monster parts-have a bowl with various slimy or textureous foods in them representing monster parts inside a box with front covered with craft paper strips. Have children reach in and guess what is inside.

Hopefully these plus a snack with use up the hour allotted for the party.