Halloween is here again and this year, we thought it would be fun to focus on one of the most popular Halloween traditions: pumpkin carving. Most of you probably have a few pumpkins by now and it’s pretty hard to get in the spirit of Halloween without carving pumpkins. Unfortunately, this can be a rather dangerous activity, especially when involving a young child. So, we set out to find some fun, easy, and safe ideas for how you and your child can decorate pumpkins!
We recommend that you create a space in the kitchen or somewhere in the house that allows for easy clean-up. Try covering your table and floor with newspaper, or an old towel or sheet before you get started. Put your child in an old tee-shirt or apron and try not to worry too much about the mess!
- Mr. or Mrs. Pumpkin Head: Use your Mr. Potato Head pieces to create a larger than life pumpkin. Let your child decide where the pieces go and help press the pieces through the tough pumpkin shell.
- Markers to the rescue! Using permanent (or non-permanent) markers is a great way to draw silly or scary faces on a pumpkin. You can also draw shapes, pictures, or have your child write his/her name or initials on the pumpkin.
- Glue on faces: Using colorful construction paper or foam board, cut out various shapes that your child can arrange on the pumpkin. If needed, help your child apply the glue to the back of the shape and then let him press the shape into place on the pumpkin.
- Sensory pumpkin! Get out the glitter, sand, flour, leaves, feathers, buttons, mini marshmallows, sprinkles, etc. Cover your pumpkin in glue or cooking oil and allow your child to pour-on or stick-on the ingredients. If you’re worried about mixing food with non-food items, simply stick to one or the other.
- Pour on the paint: Using acrylic paint, or another type of kid-safe craft paint, allow your child to paint with a brush or simply pour paint over the pumpkin. Have at least a few different colors available and allow the child to mix if she wants to.
- Pumpkin accessories: Using construction paper, fold or cut to make a witches hat, antennas, bat wings, wheels, glasses, animal ears, tails, pirate eye patches, etc. that you and your child can glue or tape into place. For ideas on accessories, check out these links:
- http://4crazykings.blogspot.com/2009/09/halloween-kids-craft-witches-hats.html
- http://www.readingconfetti.com/2012/10/easy-dress-up-hats-paper-plate-craft.html
Happy Halloween!!
Also, see last year’s blog post for tips on how to create a low-stress Halloween for your child: Happy Halloween! Trick-or-treating tips.