Halloween is a great time of year and young children look forward to eagerly. However there are limitations on what the youngest children can be involved in. Carving and decorating pumpkins is a lot of fun (and mess) but often excludes the youngest family members. So if you are looking for a new way to celebrate the season with some Halloween pumpkin projects that use real pumpkins here are some great ideas. These Halloween pumpkin projects will have even the littlest family member able to join and celebrate the fun of Halloween.
Pumpkin Seed mosaic-This clever craft uses the seed of the pumpkin in a new and delightful way.
You will need:
- Pumpkin seeds (roasted)
- Paint (orange, black and green)
- Paper
- Glue
- Kitchen foil to put seeds on while you paint them
Instructions for the project:
Have your child paint their pumpkin seeds in orange, green and black. The easiest way to do this is to place them on kitchen foil so that they will not stick to anything while they dry. Keep in mind however that it is a very messy job! When the seeds are completely dry, you can sketch a pumpkin design on to a piece of paper. Have the child paint the design thinly with white glue (so you can still see their picture). Before the glue dries have them fill in the shape with their pumpkin seeds.
Painted pumpkins-This is a great alternative for younger children when decorating pumpkins. Best of all there is not limit to how the pumpkins can be decorated.
What you will need:
- A pumpkin for each child
- Assorted markers
- Assorted paints
- Craft glue
- Glitter or glitter pens
- Construction paper
- Scissors
Instructions for the project:
This simple project simply bypasses the carving and cleaning out of the pumpkin. Encourage the children to use their imaginations when decorating their pumpkin. They can draw or paint on a face or use the craft glue to attach eyes, nose and mouth pieces they cut from construction paper. For a sparkly finish they can apply glitter to their pumpkins or use the glitter pens.
Pumpkin flowerpots-Many kids are highly interested in planting and growing flowers. This easy to do craft will give them some hand on experience with potting flowers.
What you will need:
- A large pumpkin
- Potting soil
- Florist foam
- Plants or flowers to put inside the pumpkin (keep in mind that since the pumpkin is real it will not last long
Instructions for the project:
The first steps will be an adult’s job. Cut a circle from top of the pumpkin and remove. Clean the inner contents of the pumpkin out completely. This is an optional step but you may want to cover the entire exterior of the pumpkin with a coat of spray or brush on varnish or polyurethane and allow to dry completely. Trim away excess from florist’s foam until the size fits inside the pumpkin, then place on bottom, inside center of pumpkin. Then you can fill with potting soil to about 2 inches from top of pumpkin. Arrange your silk floral stems or real flowers into an attractive arrangement. You may decorate with a fall bow and a pillar candle if desired.
Pumpkin seed toys-Young children will love being able to use these to dance to a Halloween beat. After they are finished put on some Halloween tunes and have everyone do the monster mash!
What you will need:
- 2 small paper plates
- Glue or stapes
- Craft sticks for handles
- Paint or markers to decorate the outside
- Lots of dried pumpkin seeds
Instructions for the project:
When cleaning out your pumpkins save the seeds and dry them overnight. They can also be dried in the oven. Have the child decorate the outside of two paper plates. Staple or glue the plates together leaving a small opening. Help the child fill the plates with lots of pumpkin seeds. When the desire amount is in staple or glue the plates completely shut. You can attach a craft stick for a handle if you want to.
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