Pumpkin Volcano Activities for Preschoolers and more...

I’ve never believed that learning should be limited to the classroom. Nope, I believe that learning is a lifelong endeavor that should happen often and whenever possible, be fun. With that in mind, I’m always on the lookout for projects that fit the bill—like pumpkin volcano activities for preschoolers and kids!

There’s a lot for kids and parents to like about this mini volcano project. Kids will love the resulting “eruption” and colorful mess as well as the fact that this is a mini pumpkin craft preschoolers and kids can actually help out with. Parents will love that making a pumpkin volcano is educational, frugal, quick, and not too messy.

Seriously, volcano activities for preschoolers and kids, like this one, really check off a lot of boxes!

On the educational front, a pumpkin volcano is a great way to introduce the concept of chemistry and chemical reactions. It also encourages following instructions.

This mini volcano project is inexpensive and educational but those aren’t the only reasons it’s a winner. Like I said above, it’s also quick. Your pumpkin volcano can be ready for eruption in just a few steps, which means it should be able to hold those short attention spans.

During the “experiment” and after, make sure to explain the science behind this mini pumpkin craft preschoolers project. Depending on your kiddo’s age, he or she may not fully understand the science involved just yet, but you’re planting a seed of knowledge that will hopefully blossom over time.

Pumpkin Volcano Science: How to Make a Volcano for Kids?

Need a chemistry refresher course yourself? No worries! School is in session.

What makes this mini volcano project erupt? The chemical reaction is triggered by mixing the baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) together. This reaction produces carbon dioxide (a colorless, odorless gas) which causes the eruption.

Want to learn more about the science behind this fall volcano activities for preschoolers and kids? Read Questions From Kids: Why Does Baking Soda React With Vinegar?

Pumpkin Volcano Materials

Dish soap
Baking soda
White vinegar
Food coloring: Orange, purple, green
Mini pumpkins
Knife
Tablespoon
Large plastic lid or container

Pumpkin Volcano Directions

1. Cut off the top of each pumpkin.

2. Scoop out most of the insides (this doesn’t need to be perfect).

3. Bring the pumpkin volcanoes outside and set them on a lid or in a container.

4. Add a couple tablespoons of baking soda to each pumpkin volcano.

5. Add a couple squirts of dish soap to each pumpkin volcano.

6. Add one squirt of each color of food coloring to each pumpkin volcano.

7. Start pouring vinegar into each pumpkin; you’ll likely need about 1/3 cup for each.

Watch your pumpkin volcanoes erupt!

Tip: You can rinse the pumpkins out and try this volcano activities for preschoolers and kids again and again! Trust me, your kids will request demand that you do so!

Did you try this mini volcano project? How did you make its even more educational and/or fun? Share your experience in the comments!

Want more fall fun activities and crafts preschoolers and kids can enjoy? Check out:

• 50 Fall Crafts for Kids
• Colored Salt Dough Leaf Impressions
• Homemade Pine Cone Bird Feeders
• Cookie Cutter Bird Feeders

Who are you going to make this easy volcano experiment with? Please share in the comments!

Mini Pumpkin Volcanoes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Volcano activties for preschoolers are both fun and educational, and now they can also be autumn appropriate thanks to these pumpkin volcanoes!

If your kids are older, they will understand the chemical reaction taking place in this fall science experiment, but this could also be a great mini pumpkin craft preschoolers project as well. After all, what kid wouldn’t love to see a pumpkin volcano erupt?

4.5 Stars (37 Reviews)

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Materials

• Dish soap
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Food coloring: Orange, purple, green
• Mini pumpkins
• Knife
• Tablespoon
• Large plastic lid or container

Instructions

1. Cut off the top of each pumpkin.
2. Scoop out most of the insides (this doesn’t need to be perfect).
3. Bring pumpkins outside and set them on a lid or in a container.
4. Add a couple tablespoons of baking soda to each pumpkin.
5. Add a couple squirts of dish soap to each pumpkin.
6. Add one squirt of each color of food coloring to each pumpkin.
7. Start pouring vinegar into each pumpkin; you’ll likely need about 1/3 cup for each pumpkin volcano.

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These fall leaf template printables offer an indoor-appropriate activity that combines entertainment and education … all without blowing your budget. They’re so good you’re practically guaranteed to fall in love. (Get it “fall?”) Choose from six free printable leaves below!

What’s one of your favorite things about autumn?

Below are six different leaf outline printables for you to choose from along with ideas of fall crafts and activities to make with them.

Sycamore Fall Leaf Template Printable

Download this Sycamore Leaf Template Printable.

There are plenty of fun activities you can incorporate these printable fall leaves into.

Cottonwood Free Printable Leaves

Download these Cottonwood Free Printable Leaves.

Horse Chestnut Printable Fall Leaves Coloring Pages

Download these Horse Chestnut Printable Fall Leaves.

Now that we’re leaf geniuses, let’s get to the fun stuff! There are a lot of different activities you can use these leaf template printables for, but one really straightforward and easy option is as printable leaf coloring pages. Just download, print, and voilà, you’ve got a printable leaf coloring page!

These leaf outline printables make easy coloring pages for kids of all ages.

Looking for more fall coloring pages, like printable four leaf clover coloring pages? Check out:

• Fall Coloring Pages for Adults and Kids
• 3 Free Printable Fall Coloring Pages for Kids

• 3 Printable Thanksgiving Coloring Pages (Free Downloads)

• 3 Free Printable Cute Halloween Coloring Pages (PDF Downloads)

Birch Leaf Stencil Printable

Download this Birch Leaf Stencil Printable.

Another creative use for these leaf template printables is leaf stencil printables. Yep, you can either cut out printable leaf templates or place a thinner piece of paper on top and trace to learn how to draw your own fall leaves!

Oak Leaf Template Printable Crafts

Download these Oak Leaf Template Printable Crafts.

These leaf outline printables can also be used in a variety of craft projects from easy to it’d-be-easier-to-move-than-clean-up level crafts. For example, you can use a cut out printable leaf template to make faux stained glass fall leaves, which is the first craft project of 50 in this post on fall crafts for kids. Here are even more fall crafts to explore:

• Easy Fall Leaf Crafts for Kids: Colored Salt Dough Leaf Impressions

• Easy Fall Crafts Using Pine Cones: Homemade Pine Cone Bird Feeders

• Easy Fall Crafts

• 36 Easy Fall Crafts

• 25 DIY Fall Wreaths

• 25 DIY Fall Decorations

Tip: While some of the projects above call for “real” (natural) leaves, you may be able to substitute in these leaf cut out printables!

Maple Free Printable Leaves Templates

Download these Maple Free Printable Leaves Templates.

A final use for the free printable leaves templates is as a guide or checklist for a nature walk. If the weather is cooperating and you live in an area where the leaves do drop in the autumn, you can download these leaf cut out printables and challenge your kid to find “matching” real leaves. This is a fun activity that allows you child to explore his or her surroundings and burn off some of that pent up energy.

More Fall Activities

• Free Fall Word Search Printable

• 17 Free (and Nearly Free) Fall Family Activities
• 6 Free Fall Leaf Stencils (Printable PDFs)
• Fun and Free Fall Things to Do Near Me

• 3 Free Printable Easy Fall Coloring Pages

• 4 Free Printable Fall Leaves Coloring Pages

• 3 Printable Easy Fall Coloring Pages for Adults

• Pumpkin Volcano Activities for Preschoolers

• Fall Craft Ideas for Kids (50 Options)

• 8 Free Pumpkin Printables

Can you think of other uses for these leaf template printables? Share your colorful and creative inspiration in the comments!

 

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Looking for a sweet, simple way for your kids to celebrate the special man in their lives? An all about my Grandpa printable free download is the perfect solution. This fill-in-the-blank page lets little ones share what makes Grandpa unique in their own words. This keepsake captures the funny, heartfelt, and sometimes hilariously honest thoughts only a grandchild can offer.

Kids love answering questions about favorite things, funny stories, and what they admire most. Grandpas love receiving the finished page as a gift they can hang on the fridge or tuck into a memory box. Best of all, you can print it at home in minutes! No fancy supplies are required.

Why An All About Grandpa Printable Makes a Meaningful Gift

An all about grandpa printable turns everyday observations into something Grandpa will treasure for years. Younger kids can draw pictures in the boxes while older kids write full sentences. The finished page becomes a time capsule of how your child saw Grandpa at that exact age. Many families print a new one every year so they can watch the answers change and grow.

It’s also a low-pressure activity. Set out crayons or markers, sit together at the kitchen table, and let the conversation flow. You’ll hear stories you might never have thought to ask about. And your child practices writing, drawing, and expressing appreciation all in one short session.

All About My Grandpa Printable Free

Our all about my Grandpa printable free features space for a picture, favorite food, best memories, and those classic “My grandpa is best because…” prompts.

Simply download, print on regular letter-size paper, and let the kids get to work. Once it’s filled out, you can frame it, slip it into a card, or add it to a homemade coupon book.

Pair the finished page with other thoughtful ideas. Many parents look for Gifts for Grandparents: Easy Homemade and Heartfelt Ideas that feel more personal rather than store-bought.

A completed questionnaire next to a batch of cookies or a photo of your kids together with their grandpa is hard to beat. If you’re planning ahead for the holidays, you might also search for 3 Free Printable Happy Grandparents’ Day Quotes in English to add a short message on the back or on a separate card.

How to Use the Printable with Kids of Different Ages

• Toddlers and preschoolers: Focus on the drawing spaces. Ask them simple questions out loud and write their answers for them.

• Early elementary: Encourage them to sound out words and fill in the blanks themselves. Expect some creative spelling. That’s part of the charm!

• Older kids: Let them take the lead. You can even turn it into a short interview where they ask Grandpa a few questions first and then record their own answers.

The grandpa questionnaire printable works beautifully as a classroom activity too. Teachers often use these sheets during Grandparents Day. Just print enough copies for the class and send the finished pages home as surprise gifts.

What I Love About Dad Printable

While today’s focus is Grandpa, many families also enjoy matching the 3 Free “All About My Dad” Printables for Father’s Day. It’s the same idea and includes fill-in-the-blank prompts, plus a drawing space. It works just as well for dads, stepdads, or any special father figure.

Extra Ideas and Occasions

Grandparents Day falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day in the United States. If you’re wondering When is Grandparents’ Day 2026, it is September 13th. The same printable works for any year. Birthday, retirement party, or a random Sunday visit all become more special when a child hands over a page filled with “fun facts about my Grandpa.”

You can also look for an all about my papa printable or all about my papa free printable if your family uses the name “Papa” instead of “Grandpa.” The questions stay the same; only the title changes. A free printable grandpa questionnaire gives kids permission to be silly, honest, and loving all at once. This combination makes these pages so memorable.

You may also be interested in these printables:

• 3 Free “All About My Mom” Printables

• Grandparents’ Day Crafts for Toddlers & Kids

• 3 Free Printable “Happy Mother’s Day, Grandma” Coloring Pages

Who are you going to give this all about my grandpa printable free download to? Please share in the comments!

 

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College expenses blowing your budget? How do free school supplies for college students sound? If you’re on board, here are 7 places to look for free college supplies!

College is stressful. Period. For most students, college means taking on a whole new set of responsibilities without mom and dad’s supervision. Plus, there’s the course load, which for many is best described as brutal.

What School Supplies Do You Need for College?

In college, you will need a laptop, noise-canceling headphones, paper, a planner, folders, binders and other everyday basic school supplies. You will also need a quality backpack for carrying your essentials across campus.

Here are 7 places to snag free school supplies for college students.

Free School Supplies for College Students – Online

#1 – Amazon

Other than tuition, one of the biggest college expenses is textbooks. Luckily, Amazon can help you cut costs. Thanks to Kindle, you can download a ton of totally free textbooks. (And if you don’t have a Kindle, no worries; using the app or cloud reader function you can read Kindle books on nearly any device.)

Tip: If the textbook you need isn’t free, you can usually rent it from Amazon and still save money!

Bonus: Students get a big discount on Amazon Prime membership, which includes free 2 day shipping on a ton of products! This can really come in handy as your running through your college supplies shopping list.

#2 – Online Groups

Online communities, like Facebook, are a great place to track down free school supplies for college students.

In addition to helping you get free college school supplies, these groups may be able to provide much needed support for your first college days. You’d be surprised at how much just having someone (or thousands of someones!) to vent to can help you deal with the stress of college.

Tip: Really embrace any online group you join. Don’t just be about getting freebies! Contribute to the group, check in regularly, and do your best to help others. For instance, give away college supplies you no longer need to help out other needy students.

#3 Freecycle.com (and Similar Sites)

Freecycle.com is basically a ginormous online swap meet. In addition to getting free school supplies for college students, this site will allow you to offload unwanted items which is great because that dorm room is small! (Especially the closet, trust me. )

Looking for more ways to get free college school supplies online? Here are some alternatives to freecycle.com.

#4 – Craigslist

Craigslist has a section for free stuff that may help you snag free college supplies and other goodies. (The “Free” category is under the “For Sale” section.)

Craigslist also has a section (“Community”) where you can learn about local events, yard sales, etc. which may also help you track down cheap or even free school supplies for college students.

Bonus: Want to make some quick cash? Consider selling some of your own stuff on Craigslist. Here’s how to sell on Craigslist in just 10 steps.

#5 – Frugal Living Sites

Another way to get free school supplies for college students is to hit up your favorite frugal living blogs (like freebiefindingmom.com). These blogs can help you learn about current freebies and when that fails, deep discounts.

For instance, here are some articles on free school supplies for college students (and all students) I’ve published in the past:

• Free School Supplies: Where to Find Them
• How to Get School Supplies for Free or on the Cheap
• Free Stuff for College Students

Frugal living blogs (and blogs dedicated to college students) can also help you successfully tackle college life. Here are some articles that may be useful:

• 25 Cheap and Easy Meals for College Students – Save money at college by eating in. Here are some delicious (and easy) recipes to try.
• Free Printable Budgeting Worksheets – Every college student needs a budget. Use this free printable worksheet to get started.
• Free Printable Homework Charts – Okay, this was originally intended for kiddos but even college students could use some help tracking their school work!
• Printable Book Covers (8 Free Options) – When you can’t find free college school supplies, sometimes you have to make (or at least print) your own!

These are just a few great ways to get free school supplies online. Don’t limit yourself to these options! Do Google searches for things like “free school supplies for college students” to find even more great opportunities to snag freebies.

Free School Supplies for College Students – Offline

#6 – At School

When searching for free school supplies for college students, many people overlook their school. Contact your college to ask about free college supplies. While they may not be able to help you out directly, the college can generally point you in the right direction. For instance, they can review your financial aid options and direct you to ways to snag free money such as scholarships. In addition, the college may be able to help you find charitable organizations that can lend a helping hand.

Tip: Can’t find the free school stuff (specifically textbooks) you need? One way to snag books for cheap is to:

1. Figure out what textbooks you’ll need in advance (1-2 semesters ahead of time).
2. Find someone who has that textbook (who is currently taking the class).
3. Offer to buy the book off of them for $5 more than whatever the bookstore will give them when they go to sell the book back.

#7 – Community Events

Many communities host back-to-school events and fundraisers during the summer to ensure kids head back to school on the right foot. While many of these events are geared toward younger students, with some research, you may be able to locate some that are open to college students. Here are some places to check for community events offering free school supplies for college students:

• Local news stations/newspapers – hit up their websites
• Chamber of commerce
• Restaurants
• Retail stores
• Churches
• City website
• Public library – be sure to also check their website

There you have it, 7 places you should definitely check out if you’re looking for free school supplies for college students. Unfortunately, no matter how good of a freebie hunter you are, you probably will not be able to get everything for free. If you need to make some money to cover the rest of your school supplies, be sure to check out this article on 10 good jobs for college students and this one on 20 ways to make money while in college.

Have more tips for scoring free school supplies for college students? Please share with the class by leaving a comment below!

 

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Zucchini Cookies Recipe: Homemade Zucchini-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sometimes I feel like an evil super-villain….

Only instead of plotting to take over the world, I’m scheming to get an uncooperative toddler to eat fruits and veggies. Hey, if you’re a parent, you know that sometimes tackling the world seems preferable to dealing with a picky eater!

Part of my ingenious plan is to sneak fruits and veggies into my little one’s snacks. (As I did with this homemade Go-Gurt). This zucchini cookies recipe is my next attempt at world domination healthy eating.

Don’t get me wrong, this zucchini cookies recipe is not as good for you as eating an apple for a snack or indulging in some carrot sticks, but it is better than just about any store-bought cookie in terms of nutrition. Good for you ingredients include zucchini and oats.

Luckily, despite being at least somewhat nutritious, this zucchini cookies recipe is still darn tasty. Your little one will be so busy trying to steal another one off of the plate he or she won’t even realize these are hiding vegetables.

In addition to being a healthy snack option, this zucchini cookies recipe is pretty easy to make. Other than shredding the zucchini it’s basically just mixing everything together and trying to be patient while you let the oven do its thing. (That last part is always the hardest step for me.) The whole thing will take about 25 minutes (including 15 minutes for baking).

Note: While this zucchini cookies recipe does call for nuts (pecans), if you and your family aren’t fans, simply leave them out. You could also customize this zucchini cookies recipe by experimenting with different chips. For example, instead of chocolate chips you could try cinnamon chips or peanut butter chips.

If this zucchini cookies recipe inspires you to go on a baking binge, here are some more of my fav cookie recipes:

• Cookies and cream cookies

• Mason jar cookies

• Strawberry milkshake cookies

• Easy Christmas cookies – Great for anytime of the year

• M&M quinoa cookies – Another healthy cookie option

Try this zucchini cookies recipe today; it’s sure to be your new secret weapon!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups zucchini shredded (approximately 1 large zucchini)
1 cup dry oats
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Baking sheet
Parchment paper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugars.

3. Mix in egg and vanilla.

4. Mix in flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

5. Fold in zucchini, oats, pecans, and chocolate chips.

How to Shred Zucchini

To shred suchini, wash it and then cut off both ends. Rub the zucchini down the large holes of a box grater or put it in a food preocessor with a shredding disc.

6. Mold dough into golf ball sized balls.

7. Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Oh, I almost forgot the last step of this zucchini cookies recipe: Enjoy!

If you and your family don’t scarf down all of this zucchini cookies recipe as soon as it comes out of the oven, store the leftovers in an airtight container so you can enjoy more cookies in the days to come.

Stomach growling for more? Be sure to follow Freebie Finding Mom’s Cookie Recipes and Toddler Meals & Snacks Pinterest boards.

Homemade Zucchini-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Need an easy and delicious way to sneak vegetables into your picky eater’s diet? Put your summer zucchini to good use and whip up a batch of these yummy zucchini-oat chocolate chip cookies. This zucchini cookies recipe is loaded with nutrients and chocolatey goodness. Serve them as a healthy snack or breakfast cookie.

4.3 Stars (32 Reviews)

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups zucchini shredded (approximately 1 large zucchini)
• 1 cup dry oats
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugars.
3. Mix in egg and vanilla.
4. Mix in flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Fold in zucchini, oats, pecans, and chocolate chips.
6. Mold dough into golf ball sized balls.
7. Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

 

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