How to Teach Branding with a Halloween Twist
Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to get your students excited than by blending spooky fun with a key business concept: branding! Whether you teach marketing, business, or entrepreneurship, this Halloween-themed activity will engage students while teaching them how to think like brand managers.
Why Brand Mascots Matter
Brand mascots are more than just fun characters—they’re a visual representation of a company’s identity. Students learn that mascots can communicate a brand’s values, personality, and target audience, all while making the brand memorable. By creating their own brand mascot pumpkins, students get hands-on experience with brand recognition and creative marketing strategies.
How the Activity Works
This versatile Halloween activity can fit into any business curriculum and works for small groups or individual students. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Assign or Select a Brand Mascot
- Students can pick from a provided list of examples or choose one independently.
- This sets the stage for researching the company behind the mascot.
- Research the Company
- Using the Company Research Graphic, students explore the brand’s mission, values, target market, and other key facts.
- This helps students understand the strategy behind the mascot.
- Decorate Your Pumpkin
- Students can decorate real pumpkins or use the provided pumpkin printable, poster board, or cardstock.
- Encourage creativity: markers, paint, yarn, fabric, pipe cleaners—anything goes!
- Present & Gallery Walk
- Students display their pumpkins with the completed Company Research Graphic.
- Classmates can walk around or watch presentations, filling out the Company Info Recording Form to practice identifying key branding elements.
- Vote for the Best Design
- Use the Brand Mascot Pumpkin Decorating Contest Voting Form to let students select their favorites.
- Optional prizes or extra credit can make this even more exciting!
- Create a Classroom Display
- Use the included “Hey There, Pumpkin” headings to display student work on doors, bulletin boards, walls, or cabinets.
- Students will love seeing their classmates’ creativity on display!
Flexibility for Your Classroom
One of the best things about this activity is its flexibility:
- Digital or Print: Students can complete worksheets digitally or on paper. Remote learners can submit photos of their pumpkin designs.
- Customizable Supplies: Use whatever materials you have on hand—real pumpkins, paper, markers, paints, and more.
- Assessment Made Easy: A simple grading rubric is included, based on 40 points, to assess creativity, research, and presentation.
Wrap Up
This Halloween, turn pumpkin decorating into a brand-building experience! Students will have a blast designing mascots, practicing research skills, and learning how brands communicate with their audiences. Plus, your classroom will be decked out with a festive, student-created display that celebrates creativity and marketing smarts.
Tip: Snap photos of your classroom display to share with parents or on social media—it’s a perfect way to showcase learning and school spirit!
Bring Halloween and branding to your classroom this year! Grab the Brand Mascot Pumpkin Decorating Activity on Teachers Pay Teachers and watch your students have fun while learning key marketing concepts.
Business Girl Education 