October is here, and at Bright Start Learning Center, our 2-year-old classroom is buzzing with excitement! From pumpkins and costumes to songs and sensory bins, Halloween gives us so many playful ways to learn. For toddlers, every themed activity isn’t just fun. Themes are a chance to explore, build language, practice fine-motor skills, and grow their imagination. Here’s a peek into what our little pumpkins are up to this month and what they’re learning along the way.
Pumpkin Painting and Playdough Fun
Nothing says fall like orange paint and squishy pumpkin dough! Our 2-year-olds are getting hands-on with pumpkin-themed art projects using child-safe paint, rollers, and playdough scented with cinnamon and pumpkin spice.
What They’re Learning:
- Fine-motor development as they pinch, roll, and press the dough.
- Creativity and self-expression as they choose colors and decorate their own pumpkins.
- Sensory exploration—the textures and smells help toddlers process and describe what they experience.
It’s messy, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect opportunity to talk about colors, shapes, and even counting (“Let’s make three little pumpkins!”).
Halloween Story Time
Each morning circle this month features Halloween-themed books that are just the right amount of silly not spooky! Favorites include:
- Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
- Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
- Where’s My Mummy? by Carolyn Crimi
Teachers use expressive voices and props to keep toddlers engaged while helping them follow simple storylines.
What They’re Learning:
- Listening comprehension and memory skills as they recall characters and events.
- Early literacy awareness is recognizing that pictures and words tell stories.
- Vocabulary building with seasonal words like “witch,” “pumpkin,” and “ghost.”
Storytime also encourages sitting together, taking turns to talk, and joining in repeated phrases which is an essential early-language skills!
Spooky Sensory Bins
Our sensory table has transformed into a Halloween wonderland filled with black beans (“bat caves”), orange rice (“candy corn fields”), and pretend spiders and eyeballs to scoop and sort.
What They’re Learning:
- Problem-solving and categorization (“Let’s find all the orange ones!”).
- Hand-eye coordination as they scoop, pour, and transfer materials.
- Social skills through sharing tools and taking turns.
Sensory play helps toddlers feel calm, focused, and confident as they explore textures safely and independently.
Songs, Dancing, and Costume Play
Music fills our classroom this month with toddler favorites like “Five Little Pumpkins,” “Monster Mash,” and “If You’re a Ghost and You Know It.” During costume week, children get to wear friendly costumes with no scary ones here! and participate in our mini parade around the center.
What They’re Learning:
- Gross-motor development as they jump, twirl, and march to the beat.
- Self-confidence and imagination as they dress up and pretend to be different characters.
- Listening and rhythm skills through singing and repeating motions.
The laughter and excitement remind us that pretend play is one of the most powerful learning tools for this age group—it helps children express emotions and understand the world around them.
Pumpkin Taste Test and Fall Snacks
Our toddlers are also exploring new flavors with a safe and simple pumpkin taste test. We’ll sample pumpkin muffins, applesauce, and a little whipped cream for fun!
What They’re Learning:
- Language development as they describe tastes: sweet, soft, spicy.
- Healthy eating habits by trying new foods in a group setting.
- Social bonding as they sit together, talk, and share a snack.
Parents can continue the fun at home by cooking or baking something pumpkin-flavored and letting children help stir or pour.
Big Feelings, Little Hearts
Halloween can be both exciting and overwhelming for toddlers. Loud noises, masks, and new routines can cause some uncertainty. Our teachers make sure every child feels safe by talking through changes, showing costume pictures, and offering comfort when needed.
This helps children learn emotional regulation is understanding feelings like excitement, surprise, or fear and gives them tools to manage those emotions in healthy ways.
We Love Our Little Learners!
October is one of our favorite months at Bright Start Learning Center because it blends learning and laughter so naturally. Whether your child is squishing playdough pumpkins or dancing like a monster, they’re building real skills that prepare them for preschool and beyond.
Every giggle, splash of paint, and pumpkin story helps toddlers learn about themselves, their friends, and their world.
Happy Halloween from Bright Start Learning Center!
We’re so proud of how much our 2-year-olds are learning this season. We can’t wait to share pictures and moments from our costume parade, pumpkin patch play, and fall celebrations! If you’d like to learn more about our toddler program or schedule a visit, we’d love to meet you. Schedule a tour today or visit Bright Start Learning Center’s website to see how our classrooms combine fun, safety, and developmental learning every day of the year.