Too Many Pumpkins Activities for Kindergarten through Second Grade -

Too Many Pumpkins activities for first grade students – fall reading lesson with sequencing, story map, cause and effect, and pumpkin-themed word search"

Every fall, I love sharing Too Many Pumpkins activities for Kindergarten through second grade with my students. Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White is a true seasonal classic, filled with beautiful fall illustrations and a heartwarming message.

Rebecca Estelle, the main character, hates pumpkins. She’s determined never to plant them again… until one day, a pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard. Before long, her yard is completely covered in pumpkins! Instead of being frustrated, she decides to make the best of it — baking, cooking, and decorating with pumpkins to share with her neighbors.

I love the message of this story — when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Rebecca Estelle takes something she dislikes and turns it into something wonderful that blesses others, and in turn, blesses her. It’s such a beautiful reminder for our students (and us as teachers!) about gratitude, creativity, and kindness.

Why I Teach Too Many Pumpkins Every Fall

I created a Too Many Pumpkins Activities Pack to go along with this story. It includes everything you need to teach this lesson — an interactive Google Slides sequencing activity, printable worksheets, a story map, cause-and-effect cards, and a pumpkin word search.

You can easily adapt it for classroom reading groups, literacy centers, or library lessons. It’s designed for kindergarten through second grade, but my first graders especially love it!

👉 Get your free Too Many Pumpkins Activities here!

If you’re looking for a cozy fall read-aloud that teaches kindness, gratitude, and reading comprehension — Too Many Pumpkins is a must-have for your fall lesson plans.

Looking for more ways to engage your students with reading skills? Check out my post on Fun and Easy Author’s Purpose Activities for First and Second Grade for interactive lessons that help students identify why authors write their stories — perfect for literacy centers or classroom lessons!