Classroom GamesNo. 5419 · The 2026 edition
27 It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Lesson Plans and Activities
Bring the magic of the Peanuts Halloween special into your classroom with these creative lesson plans and activities.
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at homeschoolsuperfreak.com.
Explore 27 engaging lesson plans and activities inspired by 'It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.' These resources cover subjects like language arts, math, and art, all themed around the beloved TV special. Activities include writing prompts, pumpkin math, character analysis, and crafts, designed to entertain and educate elementary students during the Halloween season.
About this
A roundup of fall and Halloween ideas built around the Peanuts special It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, aimed at homeschoolers, teachers, and parents with kids from preschool up. It collects 27+ viewing, reading, craft, cooking, game, and party suggestions along with trivia about the special. The page also answers common questions about the show's release year, its moral, and Charlie Brown's famous trick-or-treat line.
The list
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01
Watch It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown 1966
View the animated special as the anchor of the unit.
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02
Read It's The Great Pumpkin book
Read the picture-book version aloud.
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03
Compare and contrast the book and movie
Have kids summarize both versions and compare them.
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04
Finish the story with creative writing
Prompt: does the Great Pumpkin appear, and why or why not? Write an original Great Pumpkin story.
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05
Use a comprehension guide
A comprehension/study guide for the cartoon serves as a pumpkin plan summary.
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06
Make Great Pumpkin pops
Pumpkin cake pops as a themed treat.
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07
Play Peanuts Bingo
Peanuts-themed family bingo game.
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08
Do a Great Pumpkin word search
Printable word search puzzle tied to the special.
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09
Paint your own Great Pumpkin
Paint artificial pumpkins as a craft.
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10
Make pumpkin cookies
Bake pumpkin cookies as an activity and snack.
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11
Learn: Is pumpkin a fruit or vegetable?
Mini science lesson on pumpkin classification.
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12
Do Great Pumpkin Search and Finds
Look-and-find activity book featuring the Great Pumpkin.
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13
Use a free pumpkin lifecycle printable activity pack
Pair a pumpkin life cycle pack with Great Pumpkin worksheets.
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14
Visit a local pumpkin patch
Field trip connected to the pumpkin theme.
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15
Learn about the real Red Baron
Since Snoopy is a WWI flying ace, study the real historical figure.
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16
Roast pumpkin seeds
Kitchen activity using pumpkin seeds.
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17
Make a DIY Great Pumpkin bowling game
Homemade Charlie Brown-inspired bowling game.
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18
Make sheet ghost costumes
Simple ghost costumes like the Peanuts characters wear.
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19
Paint rocks
Rock painting nods to Charlie Brown always getting rocks while trick-or-treating.
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20
Get a Great Pumpkin script and put on your own play
Readers theater script for a class or family performance.
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21
Make a Great Pumpkin smoothie
Pumpkin-themed drink recipe.
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22
Do a Great Pumpkin scavenger hunt
Movie scavenger hunt activity to follow along with the special.
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23
Complete a Great Pumpkin MadLib
Fill-in-the-blank Mad Lib for language practice.
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24
Make your own giant Great Pumpkins for the lawn
Large outdoor pumpkin decorations for the yard.
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25
Do a movie worksheet
Printable worksheet to complete while watching the special.
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26
Grab a free gratitude pumpkins printable
Kids write what they are thankful for on the printable.
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27
Color a Great Pumpkin coloring sheet
Charlie Brown Halloween coloring page.
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28
Write letters to The Great Pumpkin
Discuss what Linus writes, then have kids compose their own letters; good writing exercise for older kids.
Facts from the original
- It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown was first released in October 1966.
- The page describes it as a timeless classic that kids of all ages love and a great fit for Halloween activities, parties, or fall lesson plans.
- The moral of the special, like many Charlie Brown movies, is a story of hope and perseverance.
- Charlie Brown always bounces back, and Linus is a never-ending optimist who finds the best in everything.
- Charlie Brown always got a rock while trick-or-treating, announcing the now-famous quote 'I got a rock.'
More photos
Photos hosted by homeschoolsuperfreak.com.
