Kaboose - Halloween - Ideas for young pumpkin carvers

Ideas for young pumpkin carvers

by Laurie Wrigley

I have three children, the youngest of which is four. At Halloween, we let each of them pick out a small pumpkin. This year, I plan to let my ten-year-old carve his pumpkin, but obviously I cannot let my four-year-old carve hers. Last year there were lots of tears because she wanted to "do it myself!" What can you suggest?

Try setting up a special "pumpkin salon" just for your little one. Use some of the ideas below as an alternative to carving a "Jack-O-Lantern."

Use paint to decorate:

•	Use water-based acrylic paints, brushes and glitter to decorate your pumpkin.
•	Add hair or whiskers to the pumpkin with yarn, pipe cleaners and school glue.

Decorate with a pack of multi-colored Sharpie Markers

•	This will obviously require parental supervision as you wouldn’t want her to stray with permanent markers.

Decorate using Mr. Potato Head parts!

•	Purchase a small, smooth pumpkin and a Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head kit, usually under $8 at toy stores.
•	Attach the fun body parts which include eyes, ears, noses and mouths to the pumpkin.

Happy Halloween!

For Halloween or just for dress-up, our sister site, Birthday in a Box, has construction workers, fairies, pirates, musicians and more. Check them out now.

Laurie Wrigley is a party expert from our sister site, Birthday in a Box. She has been helping parents plan parties and other seasonal occasions for over ten years.