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Free Pumpkin Parable Printable: Teaching the Gospel

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Free pumpkin parable printable example arranged on the corner of an orange background with golden stars, black bold text, and a watercolor painted pumpkin.

Pumpkin Parable Printable. The pumpkin parable is a beautiful gospel analogy with hands-on activities for an engaging storytelling experience. This pumpkin gospel story is a favorite fall tradition in our home. We don’t celebrate the Halloween season in our home, but we love making the happy-faced pumpkin every year. Unfortunately, spooky is everywhere as we approach October 31st. This time of year can be very scary for young children. The pumpkin parable helps them find the light of Jesus in a dark world. This harvest season is the perfect opportunity to share the beautiful fall story and to encourage your children every time they see a carved pumpkin to think of Jesus’ light shining through them.

If you have never heard of the Pumpkin Parable, I have made a printable to help walk you through it. If it’s the first time, I recommend following a few of the tips to help the activity go smoother, especially with younger children. The Pumpkin Patch Parable by author Liz Curtis Higgs is an excellent resource, too. She has written a picture book parable series. I haven’t read them all, yet. 

A Christian Object Lesson to Share the Gospel through Storytelling and Multi-sensory Activities!

There are so many multi-sensory activities in the pumpkin parable lesson. For an example, there’s the smell of the fresh cut pumpkin, the touch of the slimy pulp, and a flickering light tucked inside. All while sharing a powerful message! 🙂

We are taking a gentle and loving approach to preschool, incorporating read-alouds, consistent daily rhythms, and lots of hands-on learning opportunities. I hope this free pumpkin parable printable brings your children joy and helps you share the good news of the gospel with your own precious children.

In this blog post, you will find instructions for the free download, step-by-step instructions, and a few tips.

What’s included in the Free Pumpkin Parable Printable?

Grab the pumpkin parable free printable, a few tools, your bible, and a pumpkin.

  • 5-page bundle with a colorful Pumpkin Parable Printable, black and white option, and festive bible verse cards (3×5 size print cards). I have included a four key scriptures with festive watercolor images.

Here is an example of the pumpkin parable activity pack:

Free pumpkin parable printable example featured on a tablet with an orange decorative stripe in the background with golden stars, black bold text, and a watercolor-painted pumpkin.

These free printables are for personal use only. You may not sell or distribute the files. If you share them, link to this post, not directly to the PDF file.

How to get your Free Pumpkin Parable Printable and Scripture cards?

To get your free printables, subscribe to the mailing list in the pink box below. We won’t send you spam, and you can unsubscribe at any time. The digital download will be loaded after hitting confirm on the confirmation email sent to the email address entered in the pink box.

Once you have confirmed your email address, the Free Printable Digital file will download. You will have access to my password-protected subscriber library and receive a monthly newsletter. The password changes each month to prevent stolen content.

If you are already a part of the community, head over to the Subscriber Library and enter the password from your monthly newsletter. 🙂

Currently, I am a stay-at-home mama with two beautiful preschool-age children. I want to offer these resources for FREE as I develop them for my kids. For my products to remain free, I need visits to my website. If you share these products, please share by referring them to my website and email subscription. Thank you so much for your kindness and support. If you have any difficulties, find me on Instagram @mudpieswithsprinkles and send me a DM. That is the best way to get a hold of me.

How to Print the Free Pumpkin Parable Printable and Bible Verse Cards?

Print.

The pdf file includes 5 pages. Print at home, local library, or store. The pages contain low to moderate levels of color to help draw the attention and delight of younger children. I have also included a black and white option to help reduce the cost of ink.

For Best Results.

I highly recommend printing on cardstock and laminating the pumpkin parable printable and memory cards if you plan to use it for many years. Laminating the printable and bible verse cards increases their durability and makes them easy to wipe clean.

How to use the Pumpkin Parable Printable?

Materials

  • pumpkin
  • carving knife
  • large metal spoon
  • bowl or bag for the pulp
  • battery-powered tea light candle (or candle and matches/lighter)
  • pumpkin parable printable
  • bible

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Pumpkin Parable

  1. First, gather supplies and the pumpkin parable printable. If you have younger children, consider cleaning out and carving the pumpkin ahead of time. Simply insert the cut-outs of the pumpkin’s happy face back and place the pulp in a bowl or bag (store in fridge to keep from smelling).
    • I recommend reading the printable ahead of time to be able to point out significant parts of the lesson.
  2. Next, cut the top off the pumpkin.
    • Just like we picked this pumpkin from the patch (or market), God has chosen you!
  3. Then, scoop out the fibrous strands and the pumpkin seeds with metal spoons and place it in a large bowl for sensory play or discard.
    • The pulp is like yucky sin. The pumpkin looks beautiful on the outside, but on the inside its covered in slimy pulp. We must surrender to Christ to allow him to cleanses us from our sins.
  4. Now, carve a happy face onto the pumpkin.
    • Jesus cleans out the sin in our hearts and puts joy inside. We are a new creation.
  5. Lastly, place a battery-powered tea light (or light a candle) at the bottom of the pumpkin.
    • God has given us the Holy Spirit to be able to shine His light and share His love. The light in the pumpkin shines into the dark world just like our light shines for Jesus.

Tips for the Pumpkin Parable Activity

If you have younger children…

Prepare the Pumpkin Ahead of Time.

Prepare the pumpkin by cutting off the top, carving the face (save the pieces to gently push back into place, and scraping the fibrous strands and seeds loose. This allows for the object lesson and story to go smoothly without the risk of kids grabbing at the knife while carving, limits distractions, and makes for a more peaceful experience for all.

Encourage Young Children to Create during Storytime or Recap.

If you have busy toddlers or young children, let them paint or put stickers on the other side of the pumpkin while you share the story or read from the bible. Sometimes, my kids grasp the story better when they have something to do with their hands.

Read a Picture Book First

Read the picture book The Pumpkin Patch Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs before beginning the pumpkin carving and activity. This is optional.

Take it Outside

Limit the mess by taking the pumpkin carving outside.

If you have older children…

Allow them to perform the cleaning and carving independent.

Encourage your kid to be creative with carving the face. The only requirement is the face needs to express joy. Supervise and consider age appropriateness for the task. You know your children the best.

Let them find and read the bible verses.

Give them the pumpkin parable printable and let them look up and read each verse.

Learn a memory verse.

Download the print cards to hang around your home and memorize the bible verses together.

Four ways to use the pulp and seeds inside the pumpkin

  1. Allow your kids to use the pulp with a bowl and a spoon for their mud kitchen. Be sure to discard when they are no longer playing to prevent unwanted creatures and bugs.
  2. Place the fibrous stands and seeds in a zip-lock bag and allow kids to explore those who dislike messy sensory activities due to overstimulation. Inside the pumpkin is a natural sensory bin. 🙂
  3. Save the seeds for roasting
  4. Save the seeds for planting your own pumpkin next year

How do I reuse the pumpkin for the pumpkin parable:

It is possible to use only one pumpkin for multiple classes, siblings, or Sunday school lessons. Here is how:

  • perform the cleaning and carving of the pumpkin ahead of time
  • save the face cut-outs to re-insert into the pumpkin’s face and save the top of the pumpkin
  • remove the seeds and fibrous strands, place them in a zip-lock bag, and place in a refrigerator (this keeps them pulp from smelling)

This blog post does not contain affiliate links.

More Fall Season Fun Activities and Books

Free Pumpkin Investigation Printable Pack

Pumpkin Investigation worksheets with examples of early learning pages arranged on a white background with watercolor fall images, orange pumpkins, and an orange transparent box with black, bold text.

Multi-sensory pumpkin learning activity FREE printable bundle. CLICK HERE.

Best Fall Picture Books for Kids

Fall books for kids book covers arranged in two rows with watercolor orange and rustic red pumpkins and leaf banners. Books included images of squirrels, signs of fall, big pumpkins, and fall colored leaves.

Find your favorite fall picture book and the complete booklist HERE.

Fall Scavenger Hunt and Autumn Family-Fun Bundle

Bold black text over a transparent white circle and woodland creatures, including a brown bear, orange fox, and happy hedgehog with an autumn branch filled with gold leaves and red berries on the rustic orange background.

Get the free scavenger hunt and family-fun bundle HERE.

More Booklists And Free Printables Coming Soon!

Thanks for Stopping By!

Lastly, I want to thank you for stopping by! Please say Hi in the comment section and share your favorite fall tradition. If you used this Free pumpkin parable printable, please let me know your thoughts in the comment section. I remember the pumpkin gospel bible object lesson in my early childhood. I’m excited to now to tell my children about the bright Light of the world, God’s love, and share the gospel message! This is one of many bible-based lessons to share in your home, add to your unit plans, and teach in Sunday school classes.

Come grow with us by joining our monthly mailing list. I hope you have a beautiful day and happy early learning! I truly appreciate your support and kindness.

Happy Pumpkin Season!

– With Great Joy, Katie

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Free pumpkin parable printable example arranged on the corner of an orange background with golden stars, black bold text, and a watercolor painted pumpkin.

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