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Pre-K activities, learning games, crafts, and printables


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Halloween-Pumpkins

Pick and choose among our wide range of pumpkin-filled workshops, games, crafts, and activities.

In the Educatall Club
Color by number, word flashcards, a picture game, finger puppets, masks, activity sheets and so much more!


Educatall Club
Educatall Club

ALL THEMES See 2024 schedule

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AREA SETUP

Print a variety of posters and use them to decorate the walls of your daycare. (Open thematic poster-Pumpkins)

 

Stickers-Pumpkins
(Open stickers-Pumpkins) Print the illustrations on adhesive paper and use them to create original stickers for your group.

 

Educa-theme-Pumpkins
(Open educa-theme-Pumpkins) Print and laminate the different elements representing the theme. Use them to present the theme to your group (and their parents) while decorating your daycare.

 

Educa-decorate-Pumpkins
(Open educa-decorate-Pumpkins) Print, laminate, and cut out the illustrations. Use them to decorate your walls and set the mood for the theme.

 

Garland-PumpkinsStickers-Pumpkins
(Open garland-Pumpkins) Print and let children decorate the garland elements. Cut out the items and use them to create a garland that can be hung near your daycare entrance or within your daycare.

 

Educa-numbers-Pumpkins
(Open educa-numbers-Pumpkins) Print and laminate the posters. Display them on a wall to decorate your daycare throughout the theme.

 

Educa-letters-Pumpkins
(Open educa-letters-Pumpkins) Print and laminate the posters. Display them on a wall to decorate your daycare throughout the theme.

 

SPECIAL TOOL

(Open poster-Calm corner) This tool was created in response to a special request received. Print and laminate the poster and use it to identify your calm corner.

 

CIRCLE TIME

Animated discussion-PumpkinsEduca-theme-Pumpkins
(Open picture game-Pumpkins) Print and laminate the pictures in the format you prefer. Use them to spark a conversation with your group. Ask children questions about pumpkins.

 

Poni discovers and presents-Pumpkins

(Open Poni discovers and presents-Pumpkins) Print and laminate. Use your Poni puppet (or another puppet children are familiar with) to present the pictures to your group. Invite children to bring a book, a stuffed animal, a movie, a figurine, a toy, or an accessory related to the theme from home. Set all the objects in the centre of your circle time area. Select one item at a time and encourage children to talk about it.

 

PICTURE GAME

The pictures may be used as a memory game or to spark a conversation with the group. Use them to decorate the daycare or a specific thematic corner. (Open picture game-Pumpkins) Print, laminate, and store in a "Ziploc" bag or in your thematic bins.

 

Memory game-Pumpkins
(Open picture game-Pumpkins) Print the pictures twice and use them for a traditional memory game.

 

WRITING ACTIVITIESEduca-decorate-Pumpkins-1

Writing activities are suggested each week. Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker. (Open writing activities-P like pumpkin)

 

Creating your own activity binder
Laminate several activity sheets and writing activities and arrange them in a binder along with dry-erase markers. Leave the binder in your writing area and let children complete the pages as they wish. At the end of the day, simply wipe off their work so the activity binder can be reused.

 

Educa-nuudles-Pumpkins

(Open educa-nuudles-Pumpkins) Print for each child. Have children color the sheet and use Magic Nuudles to give it a three-dimensional look. Variation: You don't have Magic Nuudles? Have children fill the spaces designed for Magic Nuudles with bingo markers or stickers. To order Magic Nuudles.

 

 

VARIOUS WORKSHOPS-PUMPKINS

Construction/building blocks:

  • Provide blocks and encourage children to build silos, barns, etc.Educa-decorate-Pumpkins-2
  • A variety of orange-coloured materials.
  • Tiny plastic pumpkins.
  • Miniature squash.

Arts & crafts:

  • Pumpkins cut in two that can be used as stampers.
  • Pumpkin seed collages.
  • Fill recycled containers with different types of seeds to make maracas.
  • Use pumpkin pieces for painting.
  • Fill pre-cut pumpkin shapes with crumpled pieces of tissue paper.
  • Empty toilet paper rolls, orange construction paper, and orange poster paint.

Drawing:

  • Coloring pages related to the theme.
  • Pumpkin stencils.

Role play:Educa-numbers-Pumpkins

  • Plastic fruit, flowers, baskets, fabric shopping bags, a scale, a cash register, pretend money, etc.
  • Gardening accessories, gloves, flower pots, flowers, pictures of flowers, vegetables and fruit, straw hats, etc.

Manipulation:

  • Pumpkin-themed memory game.
  • Association game involving fruits and vegetables.
  • A bin filled with different types of legumes that children can sort by color or shape.
  • Different types of squash children can manipulate and observe. Miniature squash are especially resistant and can be kept for many weeks.
  • Pumpkin-themed association games (colors, numbers, or letters written on construction paper pumpkins.

Pre-reading:

  • Books, books, and more books!
  • Set a scarecrow on a chair in one corner of the daycare. It will keep children company as they read throughout the theme.

Pre-writing:Poni discovers and presents-Pumpkins

  • Hunt and seek games involving pumpkins.
  • Different activity sheets related to the theme.
  • Games with educatall.com word flashcards.
  • Tracing and maze activity sheets.
  • A chalkboard with orange chalk.

Motor skills:

  • A variety of games that involve passing a ball around. Use a pumpkin or an orange ball to represent a pumpkin.
  • Harvest treasure hunt where children search for miniature pumpkins.

Sensory bins:

  • A bin filled with dried ears of corn.
  • A container filled with popcorn.Picture-game-Pumpkins-1
  • A container filled with pumpkin seeds and different types of containers children can fill and empty repeatedly.
  • A plastic bin filled with soil and live worms.
  • A bin filled with pine needles and pinecones.

Kitchen:

  • Roast pumpkin seeds.
  • Prepare a fruit salad using seasonal fruit and enjoy it as a snack or dessert.
  • Taste different types of fruits and vegetables.
  • Prepare pumpkin puree.
  • Prepare pumpkin soup.

Science:

  • Association game where children must associate different types of seeds to the vegetables they will grow into.
  • Present different types of vegetables many ways (peeled, whole, cubed, etc.). Observe them with magnifying glasses.

LANGUAGE ACTIVITIESPicture-game-Pumpkins-2

The flashcards may be used during circle time to spark a conversation with the group or in your reading and writing area. They may also be used to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-Pumpkins) (Open giant word flashcards-Pumpkins) pumpkin, squash, Halloween, orange, seeds, pulp, decoration, field, lantern, round, miniature pumpkin, peduncle

 

Let's chat
(Open word flashcards-Pumpkins) (Open giant word flashcards-Pumpkins) Print and laminate the word flashcards. Have each child pick a word and present it to the group (ex. field). Ask them questions to see what they know about the theme.

 

Word clothesline
(Open word flashcards-Pumpkins) (Open giant word flashcards-Pumpkins) Print two copies of several word flashcards. Hang one copy of each word on an indoor clothesline with colourful clothespins. Arrange the copies in a pile on a table. Let children take turns picking a word and finding the matching word on the clothesline. When they find a match, they can place the flashcard on top of the one that was already hanging on the clothesline. Help younger children manipulate the clothespins if necessary.

 

Word raceGiant word-flashcards-Pumpkins-1
(Open word flashcards-Pumpkins) (Open giant word flashcards-Pumpkins) Print several word flashcards and hide them throughout your daycare or yard. Divide your group into two teams. When you give them the signal, children must search for the flashcards for a pre-determined period, for example three minutes. When the time is up, children must be able to "read" their flashcards to earn a point for their team. If they are unable to find the correct word, the other team can earn the point if they succeed.

 

ROUTINES AND TRANSITIONS

Pumpkin path
(Open large colourful pumpkins) Print several pumpkins and use them to create a path that leads to different areas children visit during the day such as the cloakroom, the bathroom, the table, etc.

 

Pumpkin die
This is a great way to help children learn to count while providing them with the opportunity to be active. Roll the die to determine how many steps you will take. Count out loud with your group.

 

Pumpkin strollGiant word-flashcards-Pumpkins-2
Arrange pictures of pumpkins on the floor. Have children hop on them on one foot, on two feet, like frogs, etc. Every hop will help improve children's gross motor skills.

 

Giant hopscotch
Use adhesive tape to draw a giant hopscotch grid on the floor. If you wish, it could connect two areas within your daycare. Children will enjoy hopping on the grid to move from the playroom to the cloakroom for example. Have them alternate hops on one and two feet. Draw pumpkins in each square.

 

My pumpkin routine
Create a unique positive reinforcement chart relating to your theme to increase children's collaboration. Here, you could have a pumpkin shape for each child and reward them with a piece required to turn their pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern (two eyes, a nose, a mouth) every time they wash their hands properly.

 

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS

Pumpkin hunt
(Open miniature pumpkins) Print and laminate. Hide the pumpkins throughout your daycare and have children search for them. The child who finds the most pumpkins can hide them for the next round.

 

Magnetic pumpkin familyGiant word-flashcards-Pumpkins-3
(Open pumpkin family) Print and laminate the models. Glue each pumpkin on magnetic paper. Set the pumpkins on a table, next to a baking sheet. Children will have fun sticking the pumpkins on the baking sheet.

 

Pumpkin nose
(Open game-Pumpkin) Print, laminate, and display on a wall. As in pin the tail on the donkey, blindfold one child at a time and have them try to stick a pumpkin nose as close to the correct spot as possible.

 

Pumpkin pictures
Collect several pumpkin pictures and illustrations and display them throughout your daycare (walls, cupboards, floors, etc.). Children will enjoy discovering the pumpkins during the day.

 

Watch out for the pumpkin
Pick a child who will pretend to be a pumpkin. He/she must try to touch another child. When he/she succeeds, the child who was touched becomes the pumpkin. Variation: The child who is touched by the pumpkin must stand still, with his/her arms stretched out to his/her sides. Several children can be "frozen" at the same time. They can resume running if another child passes under one of their arms. Change pumpkins regularly.

 

Giant pumpkinMiniature-pumpkins
Provide a large quantity of orange-coloured blocks. With your group, stack the blocks to represent a giant pumpkin. Keep going until the pumpkin crashes to the floor.

 

Hiding pumpkins
Fill a kiddie pool with crumpled pieces of paper or fabric scraps. Hide miniature plastic pumpkins among the pieces of paper or fabric. When you give the signal, children must search for the pumpkins. Every time they find one, they must deposit it in a pre-determined area before going back to search for more.

 

Pumpkin game
(Open pumpkin game) Print, laminate, and display on a wall. As in pin the tail on the donkey, blindfold one child at a time and have them try to stick a peduncle as close to the correct spot as possible.

 

Pumpkin transportation
Divide your group into two teams. Draw a start and a finish line on the floor, at opposite ends of your daycare. Set a cone on the finish line. When you give the signal, the first child from each team must lift a pumpkin and carry it to the finish line, go around the cone, and hurry back to give the pumpkin to the next child in line. The first team to complete the task wins.

 

Water-filled pumpkinsPumpkin family
Fill two buckets with water and set them on a line. Draw a finish line at the opposite end of the daycare. Set two empty buckets on the finish line. Divide your group into two teams. Hand a plastic pumpkin (for trick-or-treating) to the first child in line for each team. When you give the signal, they must fill their pumpkin with water and race to the finish line to empty it in their team's bucket. The team with the most water in their bucket at the end of the activity wins. Variation: You may use powdered orange juice to color the water.

 

Pumpkin picking
Children find a partner for this activity that is a variation of a traditional wheelbarrow race. One child from each team gets down on his/her hands while the other child holds his/her legs up. Set a small pumpkin on each "wheelbarrow" (child's back). Children must successfully reach the finish line without letting the pumpkin fall.

 

Pumpkin pass
Have children stand in a circle. Give one child a miniature pumpkin. Have him/her hold the pumpkin between his/her chin and chest and pass it to the child to his/her right who will in turn hold the pumpkin between his/her chin and chest. Continue to pass the pumpkin all the way around the circle. If a child drops the pumpkin, he/she must sit in the centre of the circle. Continue until there is only one child standing.

 

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIESModels-colored-pumpkins

Words in the sand
(Open word flashcards-Pumpkins) (Open giant word flashcards-Pumpkins) Print and laminate the word flashcards. Stick each word on the end of a Popsicle stick and poke them in the ground, throughout your yard. Invite children to stand on a line, at one end of your yard. When you give them the signal, they must run to find a word flashcard, grab it, and go to your sandbox where they can "trace" the letters of the word in the sand using a stick (or their finger). Help children if necessary. Younger children can simply stick the word flashcard they found in the sandbox and "read" the word with you. If you wish, you can encourage children to use sand to represent the word. For example, if a child found the word "seeds", he/she could draw tiny ovals in the sand. The goal is to give children the opportunity to notice different words. When everyone is done, simply use a small rake to "erase" their work and start over again. Ask children to pick a different word for each round.

 

Words in our yard
(Open word flashcards-Pumpkins) (Open giant word flashcards-Pumpkins) Print and laminate the word flashcards associated with the theme. Use chalk to write the words in your yard. Before heading outside with your group, hand each child one (or more) word flashcard(s). Encourage them to search for the corresponding word(s) in your yard. When they find one, help them "read" the word.

 

Where are the pumpkins?Game-Pumpkin
(Open models-Colored pumpkins) Print and hide the pumpkins throughout the daycare. Hide one pumpkin per child. Each child must find one pumpkin and set it on a table. Once all the pumpkins have been found, let children play with them or hide them again and start over.

 

Rolling pumpkin
You will need one small, very round pumpkin. Have children sit in a circle. The child who has the pumpkin must say, "Roll pumpkin, roll to...the witch (or sorcerer)" The child names who he is rolling the pumpkin to. If you prefer, you may use an orange ball instead of a pumpkin.

 

COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

Color by number-Pumpkins
(Open color by number-Pumpkins) Children must color the picture per the color code.

 

Big and small-PumpkinsColor by number-Pumpkins
(Open educ-big and small-Pumpkins) Print and laminate the game. Children must determine the correct order for each set of cards, from the smallest to the biggest item, and arrange them in the squares using Velcro or adhesive putty.

 

Educ-trace-Pumpkins
(Open educ-trace-Pumpkins) Print for each child. Children must trace the lines using a crayon of the designated color and then color the item at the end of each line with the corresponding color.

 

Educ-pairs-Pumpkins
(Open educ-pairs-Pumpkins) Print. Children must draw a line between identical illustrations or color them using the same color. For durable, eco-friendly use, laminate for use with dry-erase markers.

 

Miming words
(Open word flashcards-Pumpkins) (Open giant word flashcards-Pumpkins) Print and laminate the flashcards. Deposit them in an opaque bag and use them for a mime game. Children take turns picking a word and miming it so the other children can identify the correct word. For example, if a child picks the word "round", he/she can round his/her arms on either side of his/her body.

 

CostumeEduc-big and small-Pumpkins
As a starting point for your pumpkin costume, you will need green, orange, or black pants and a sweater. Next, cut arm and leg holes out of an orange plastic garbage bag. Fill the bag with newspaper and knot it over the child's shoulders. Use a black or brown permanent marker to draw eyes, a nose, and a mouth on the bag. Use orange face paint to color the child's face.

 

Pumpkin masks
(Open masks-Pumpkins) Print and glue the mask on a stick so children can easily hold it in front of their face.

 

Pumpkin glasses
(Open glasses-Pumpkins) Print the model and trace it on cardboard. Cut out the lenses and stick orange cellophane paper behind each one.

 

Pumpkin hatsMasks-Pumpkins
(Open hats-Pumpkins) Print and cut out. Children can color and decorate their hat as they wish. Variation: If you prefer, use a piece of fabric or cut a circle out of orange construction paper and add a green or brown peduncle.

 

Pumpkin souvenirs
Paint each child's nose orange, have them wear a pumpkin hat. Have them sit among several pumpkins and take a picture of each child. Print the pictures and glue each one on a construction paper pumpkin. To create a collective poster, glue each child's picture on a large pumpkin shape.

 

Pumpkin bin
Provide several miniature pumpkins children can manipulate freely. Miniature squash can be purchased in most grocery stores for just a few dollars. There are green ones, white ones, and orange ones. Some even have interesting bumps and textures.

 

MUSICAL AND RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

Musical pumpkinsGlasses-Pumpkins
(Open colourful pumpkins) Print, laminate, and stick the pumpkins on the floor throughout your daycare. Encourage children to move about the daycare to the sound of music. Every time the music stops, they must quickly find a pumpkin to stand on.

 

EARLY SCIENCE/EXPLORATION/MANIPULATION

Pumpkin science
Pour a small amount of paint on a pumpkin and let children spread it all over the pumpkin's surface with their hands. Use two colors to make this activity even more fun (example: yellow+blue=green) and explore color combinations with your group.

 

What's inside?
Give each child a pumpkin model traced on orange construction paper. Using white glue, children must glue pieces of rope (to represent the pumpkin's pulp) and pumpkin seeds on their model. Display the pumpkins on a wall once the glue is dry.

 

CULINARY ACTIVITIESEduc-pairs-Pumpkins

Pumpkin modeling dough (no cooking required)

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of flour
  • ½ cup of salt
  • 2 tsp of cream of tartar
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 tsp of vegetable oil
  • 1 can of pumpkin puree

Steps:

  1. Mix all ingredients together.
  2. Knead until dough is homogeneous (you may need to add a small quantity of water or flour if dough is too dry or sticky).
  3. Use the dough as you would use store-bought modeling dough.

Pumpkin and chocolate bread

 

Ingredients:Finger-puppets-Pumpkins

  • 1 tsp of salt
  • 1 ¾ cup of all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp of nutmeg
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1 tsp of baking soda
  • ½ cup of sugar
  • ½ cup of vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup of pumpkin puree
  • 1/3 cup of water
  • ½ cup of dark chocolate, chopped (or squares of semi-sweet chocolate, chopped)
  • ½ cup of pecans (use shredded coconut to avoid risk of allergies) 

Steps:
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a loaf pan. Mix dry ingredients together and add pecans and chocolate. In another bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin puree, water, and oil. Pour liquids over dry ingredients. Pour batter in greased loaf pan and bake approximately 30 minutes.

 

ARTS & CRAFTSMandalas-Pumpkins

Pumpkin, pumpkin
Paint paper plates with orange poster paint to represent pumpkins. Hang the pumpkins from the ceiling. Encourage older children to glue eyes, a nose, and a mouth cut out of black construction paper on their pumpkin.

 

Models-Pumpkins
(Open models-Pumpkins) Print the models and use them for your various projects and needs throughout the theme.

 

Mandalas-Pumpkins
(Open mandalas-Pumpkins) Print for each child. Encourage children to color the mandalas to help them relax.

 

My pumpkin master hat
(Open educa-decorate-Pumpkins) Print and cut out. Glue the shapes on a construction paper cone or headband.

 

Finger puppets-PumpkinsPumpkin-game
(Open finger puppets-Pumpkins) Print the finger puppets on heavy paper. Have children cut them out. Show them how they can insert their fingers in the holes to move the puppets.

 

Pumpkin masks
(Open masks-Pumpkins) Print and glue the mask on a stick so children can easily hold it in front of their face.

 

Crumpled paper pumpkins
(Open model-Pumpkin) Print for each child. Have children tear and crumple pieces of orange tissue paper. They can apply white glue all over the pumpkin shape and use the crumpled pieces of paper to fill it.

 

Pumpkin seed collage
Have children use white glue to draw a simple shape or design on orange or black construction paper. Show them how they can press pumpkin seeds in the glue. Variation: You may also use colourful lentils or beans for this project.

 

PumpkinsHats-Pumpkins
(Open pumpkin face) Print a pumpkin for each child or simply use a paper plate. Have children cut out the eyes, nose, and mouth they prefer and position them on their pumpkin. Variation: If you prefer, use the eyes, noses, and mouths to decorate real pumpkins. Simply glue them in place.

 

Paper bag pumpkins
Children use orange poster paint to decorate brown paper bags and make them look like pumpkins. Provide feathers, sequins, stickers, wiggly eyes, etc. When they are done, display the pumpkins so visitors and parents can admire them.

 

Group pumpkin
Trace a pumpkin model on a piece of cardboard. Fill a Ziploc bag with dry pasta and green food coloring. Fill a second bag with dry pasta and orange food coloring. Have children use the green pasta to fill the peduncle and the orange pasta to fill the actual pumpkin shape.

 

Pumpkin manEduca-letters-Pumpkins-1
(Open pumpkin man) Print. Have children color and cut out the various parts. The large pumpkin will represent the head and body. Fold orange strips of construction paper accordion-style and glue them behind the pumpkin to represent arms and legs. Glue a medium-sized pumpkin to the end of each strip to represent hands and feet.

 

Mobile
Trace and cut pumpkins of different sizes. (Open model-Pumpkin) Decorate the pumpkins with glitter, lace, ribbon, cotton balls, etc. Glue them on either side of different lengths of string and hang them from the ceiling.

 

Musical pumpkins
For each child, you will need two paper plates. Have children paint the plates with orange poster paint. Set them aside to dry. (Open pumpkin face) Print and let children use the pieces to create a pumpkin face. Fill one plate with pumpkin seeds. Glue (or staple) the second plate on top of the first one. Children will enjoy shaking their musical pumpkins.

 

Giant pumpkin
Fill a brown paper bag with newspaper. Twist the top of the bag to represent a peduncle. Paint the paper bag using orange poster paint. Let dry. Use black poster paint to add eyes, a nose, and a mouth or, if you prefer, cut these parts out of black construction paper and glue them on the bag.

 

Magnetic pumpkinModels-Pumpkins
You will need the top of a frozen juice can for each child. Cut a circle the same size as the top of the can out of orange felt. Glue it on the metal circle. Cut eyes, a nose, and a mouth out of black felt and have children glue them on the orange felt. Glue a magnet behind each tiny pumpkin so children can stick them on their refrigerator.

 

Tiny pumpkin
For each child, cut two egg carton sections. Have children glue them together and paint them with orange poster paint. Once the orange paint is dry, have them use black poster paint to add a face to their tiny pumpkin.

 

Sticky pumpkin
Cut a pumpkin shape out of adhesive paper. Let children stick tissue paper all over their pumpkin.

 

Mystery pumpkinEduc-trace-Pumpkins
Trace a pumpkin shape on white cardboard. Have children color their pumpkin using different colors of waxed crayons. When they are done, have them paint all over their pumpkin shape with black poster paint and set it aside to dry. The next day, show children how they can scratch the black paint with a toothpick to see the colors reappear.

 

Popped pumpkin
Trace a pumpkin shape on white or orange cardboard. Use orange powdered paint to add color to popcorn and have children fill their pumpkin shape with the orange popcorn.

 

Sweet pumpkin
Add a small amount of water to orange Jell-O powder. Do the same with green Jell-O powder. Have children paint a pumpkin using their fingers.

 

COLORING PAGES

(Open coloring pages theme-Pumpkins) Print for each child.

 

DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE THE COLORING PAGES

Identical coloring pages-PumpkinsColoring pages theme-Pumpkins
Print the same coloring page for each child and an additional copy for your model. Color only certain parts of your picture. Present the model to your group and ask them to color their picture to make it look exactly like yours.

 

Coloring binder-Pumpkins
Print and laminate several coloring pages and arrange them in a binder with a few dry-erase markers. Leave everything on a table for children to explore.

 

Musical drawing-Pumpkins
Play musical drawing with your group. Give each child a coloring page. Have children sit around a table. When the music starts, they must pass the coloring pages around the table. Every time the music stops, they must color the picture in front of them until the music starts again.

 

Homemade puzzles-Pumpkins
Give each child a picture to color. When they are done, cut each picture into pieces to create unique puzzles.

 

SONGS & RHYMESSongs & rhymes-Pumpkins

(Open songs & rhymes-Pumpkins)

 

For he's a jolly round pumpkin

By: Patricia Morrison Sung to: For he's a jolly good fellow

 

For he's a jolly round pumpkin
For he's a jolly round pumpkin
For he's a jolly round pumpkin
Ready for Halloween
Ready for Halloween
Ready for Halloween
For he's a jolly round pumpkin
With a jack-o-lantern grin

 

Have fun!

The educatall team

 

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