The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · October 2016
Ages5–9 yrs
Prep10 min
Activity20 min
Leveleasy
MessMedium
Works for1:1 · Small group
Shake pumpkin-shaped pasta with orange gel food color in a zip-top bag. While the bottoms are still a little soft, kids thread the pasta on a needle and thread to make a wearable pumpkin necklace. It's great fine-motor, counting and patterning practice.
⚠️ Safety first
- The post uses a regular sewing needle, which is sharp. An adult should supervise closely and collect the needles when threading is done.
- Small pasta pieces are a choking hazard. Not for children who still put things in their mouths.
- Colored craft pasta is not food. Don't eat the necklace pasta; only uncolored leftover pasta should go to the kitchen.
- Gel food color can stain hands, clothes and surfaces. Wash hands after handling the damp colored pasta.
- Supervise while kids wear the necklace, and take it off for naps, sleep and rough play.
- If adding pumpkin spice, keep hands away from eyes and wash hands afterwards.
Before the kids arrive
- Color the pasta and spread it to dry before threading time. Check that the bottoms are still slightly soft when kids start.
Steps
Put the pumpkin pasta in a zip-top bag and add a few squirts of orange gel food color.
Seal the bag and shake until all the pasta is evenly coated.
Spread the colored pasta on a cookie sheet to dry, but not completely. The bottoms should stay a little soft.
Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread to hold the pasta.
Poke the needle through the soft bottom of a pumpkin and pull the thread through the other side.
Keep adding pumpkins on your tray. Count them or make a pattern as you go.
Adult: when the necklace is long enough, remove the needle and tie the ends together.
Wear your pumpkin pasta necklace proudly!
Tips
- Unlike regular pasta threading, don't let the pasta dry too much. A little moisture left keeps the bottom soft, and that makes threading easier.from the author
- The soft bottom part of the pasta helps in pulling the thread through to the other side.from the author
- We use a Gallery Tray with a lip for many fine motor activities like this. It contains the mess and gives the kids a definite working space.from the author
- I got this pasta on a crazy sale at a local gourmet food store. In the fall season, keep your eyes peeled for sales.from the author
- You probably need a couple of handfuls for a necklace. Use up the rest for a delicious pasta meal.from the author
- This could be a great first needle threading activity for kids.from the author
Make it your own
- Add a bit of pumpkin spice while coloring the pasta for a scented necklace.
- Use the pasta for counting and patterning practice while threading.
- Arrange the colored pumpkins into a jack-o'-lantern face before threading.
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