Tasty Halloween Object Lesson for Elementary: Pumpkin Pancakes

In this elementary object lesson, kids will learn how new life springs from death with these Halloween-themed pumpkin pancakes.

With Halloween being a spooky and scary time for kids, there’s an opportunity to demonstrate that as Christians, we don’t need to be afraid. This object lesson illustrates the cycle of death and resurrection, and ends with some really yummy pumpkin pancakes! You can do this with your family, a small group of kids at church, or turn it into a pancake breakfast with families and volunteers coming together for great food and fellowship.

You’ll need:

• Bible (Romans 6:11)
• instant pancake mix
• eggs (optional as pumpkin can be an egg replacer)
• milk (or a dairy-free alternative)
• canned pumpkin
• cooking spray
• measuring cups and spoons
• electric frying pan or griddle
• spatula
• plates
• forks
• syrup
• hand wipes

The Experience

Have kids wash their hands. Say: One reason Halloween can be so scary is that it focuses a lot on death. People often dress up as things that symbolize death, like ghosts or goblins. Some people decorate their yards like graveyards. But as Christians, we don’t need to fear death. This Halloween, let’s re-think what death means for us.

Preheat the electric frying pan in a location safe from fire and burn hazards. Invite kids to help you prepare the pancakes by measuring and mixing the ingredients, following the directions on the instant pancake mix. Add 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin for every cup of instant pancake mix. As you add the pumpkin, say: This canned pumpkin comes from a real, live pumpkin that grew in the ground. The pumpkin isn’t alive now, but it’s helping other living things—us! It gives us a picture of how all living things on the earth do eventually die, but that’s not really the end. Jesus made that even more true for us—his friends who love him.

Spray the griddle or pan with cooking spray if needed. Pour the batter onto the pan. Flip the pancakes when bubbles form. Serve your pancakes with syrup. As kids eat, read Romans 6:11.

Talk With Kids

Ask:

• Hmm, I wonder what it means to be dead to the power of sin? (Invite ideas from everyone.)

Say: Through Jesus’ death on a cross, he did what only he could do and took the death punishment for our sins. Jesus made a way for God to forgive us, so when we’re friends with Jesus, we’re dead to sin and alive in God! That means sin no longer has the power to keep us away from God. And when our lives here on earth end, the part of us that God created to live forever—our souls—will live forever in God’s perfect home, called heaven. 

Ask:

• Sin and death have no power over Jesus’ friends! How might that change the way you view Halloween?

Say: Whether you eat loads of candy on Halloween or not, remember the sweet promise of Jesus’ power and how it allows us to truly live for God and with God. 

Find more Halloween ideas here. Looking for more object lessons? Check out Group’s Sciency-Fun WOWS!: 54 Surprising Bible Object Lessons for ages 3-7 and ages 8-12. This book is filled with memorable, Scripture-based, engaging ideas you can use with your Bible lesson. You can also check out these posts!