Rolling Pumpkins STEM Activity

It doesn’t get much easier than rolling pumpkins on homemade ramps. What makes it even better is that it’s also a simple physics experiment for kids. This rolling pumpkin science activity is easy to set up and perfect for a crisp fall day. Jump into pumpkin STEM activities this fall.

Rolling Pumpkins

💡 TIP: You can also pair it with the book Roll-Away Pumpkin by Junia Wonders and make sure to look through more Pumpkin Book STEM Activities.

Supplies:

• Small Pumpkins
• Materials To Make Ramps (Cardboard or Rain Gutters)

Instructions:

STEP 1. Set up your ramps. (See our suggestions above.) You should have the option to change the height of the ramp.

STEP 2. Grab a pumpkin and place it at the top of the ramp.

I am pretty sure your kids have this next step covered! My son did. Start rolling pumpkins! Make sure to ask your kids why pumpkins roll.

Your pumpkins may roll off the edge. Challenge your kids to find a way to keep them on the ramp. 

What happens when you change the angle of the ramp? Does the pumpkin pick up speed? Read more about simple science below.

You can also grab a tape measure and check out the distance your pumpkin traveled to include some pumpkin math.

What happens when you roll a pumpkin uphill or downhill? How do force, motion, and gravity play a part?

Gravity is also a force, and the angle of our ramps affects the pull of gravity on the pumpkin. We put our pumpkin into motion!

The Science Of Rolling Pumpkins

This is an excellent opportunity to talk about force and motion. For something to move, it needs a force. This force can be a push or a pull.

The amount of force will determine how something moves and at what speed. Here we are getting the pumpkin rolling and gravity pulling them down the ramp.

💡 Want to learn more about “What is Gravity?”

The laws of motion tell us that an object will stay at rest until a force is presented and that every force creates an equal force. If we need to push the pumpkin to get it rolling, our push is the force. The size of the push will also determine the distance traveled or the speed.

Friction plays a part in all of this, too! Rolling pumpkins on the grass differs from rolling pumpkins on the pavers. The friction between the grass and the pumpkin will slow it down.

💡 YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Toy Car Friction Experiment

Will rolling your pumpkin over a thick towel also slow it down? Do you need to apply a greater force to get your pumpkin moving? Try rolling pumpkins on different surfaces. See what happens?

More Fun Science With Pumpkins

You don’t need to celebrate Halloween to enjoy pumpkin science experiments. Try one or all of the ideas below!

• Pumpkin Volcano
• Pumpkin Oobleck
• Crystal Pumpkins
• Pumpkin Geoboard
• Pumpkin Clock
• Pumpkin Slime

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