Pumpkin Play Lab: Kids Test, Float, and Count Seeds

At a Reading park called The Nature Place, a 7‑year‑old named Phoenix picked the biggest pumpkin he could find at the local education center. He lugged the heavy fruit, which was close to half his own weight, to a table while his dad kept a watchful eye. The scene was set for a fun science session called the Pumpkin Play Lab.

Michael Griffith, the head educator for Berks Nature, fired off quick questions about the pumpkin’s layers. He asked what the hard orange rind was called, and the kids shouted ‘the shell’ like they were naming a superhero. He then described the gooey pulp and the twisting vine, getting the same answers. Next he posed a big question: would the pumpkin sink or stay on top when dropped in water? The kids raised their hands, split into two camps, with one boy saying it would float because it felt mostly empty, and another saying it would sink because it felt heavy.

When the pumpkins were tossed into a tub, they bobbed back up, showing they float. Griffith explained that the fruit is lighter than water, so it stays afloat. Later, the group moved to a seed‑counting station where they had to scoop out the pulp to see the seeds. A 22.5‑pound pumpkin meant a lot of messy work, and Griffith joked about the effort required. Phoenix’s parents, Emmanuel and Sheilla, said they love the hands‑on programs and the plenty of open space at the park.

Berks Nature is a nonprofit that works on protecting land, cleaning water, managing trails, running community gardens, and teaching people about the environment. Started in 1974, it serves the whole Berks County area. Griffith had led the program at a nearby youth club, and it quickly turned into one of his favorite seasonal activities. This was the first time the Pumpkin Play Lab was held at The Nature Place, after earlier runs at a local youth club. The event mixed learning with play, letting kids test ideas, get messy, and have a great time.