There are only a few days left until Halloween night, and the witches, vampires and ghosts are already finalizing all the details to celebrate, in style, their terrifying date. But, in addition to all these fantastic creatures, the other protagonists of the aforementioned date are, without a doubt, the pumpkins. And there is a good explanation for it.
The introduction of these fruits as part of the ‘Night of the Witches’ drinks from the traditions and legends of the Celtic people that populated, among other territories, Scotland and Ireland. Subsequently, thanks to immigration (especially of Irish) to the other side of the pond, its use spread, reaching until today.
Just as you have prepared your costumes, it is time for you to get a few pumpkins, since decorating them can result in a funniest plan and craft to do with the little ones in the house. We give you a few ideas. Take note!
First thing: learn how to carve a pumpkin
Before brainstorming, it is very important that you learn to carve this fruit. An activity that should always be carried out under the supervision of an adult, since it requires the use of some sharp objects.
materials
– Kitchen knives. One should be larger than the other, since the latter will be reserved for the more specific carving.
– Spoon to remove everything that is inside.
- A marker.
– Newsprint and cloths.
Step by Step
The first thing is to cut the top of the pumpkin, it is best to make a cut large enough so that the emptying of its pulp is easier. Once you have done it, let the smallest of the house be the ones who extract everything that is inside.
Then, you can make the drawing you want on it (paint some eyes, a mouth…) with a marker so that, later, the parents can cut all these parts with a small knife.
Once it’s completely clean, let it dry for a day, and… voilà! you will have your pumpkin almost ready.
The newspaper or cloths will serve as a tablecloth to avoid dirtying the whole house.
With a flirty style
If your children are terrified of fantastic creatures, this can be a good alternative to celebrate Halloween. Creating these cute and sassy pumpkins is so easy.
materials
- Two pumpkins
Colored acrylics
Knives (small and large)
Towels
Felt pens
Step by Step
Cut one of the pumpkins at the top, and ask your child to empty it. Once you have done it, it is time to draw your mold on them: paint two stars, which will be the eyes, and a large mouth. Then carve them, and let them dry for a day.
As soon as this time elapses, paint the edge of the mouth with red paint, and place a towel, as seen in the image, on its ‘head’.
In the other, color a large circle with blue acrylic paint, leaving two holes (which will be the eyes) and a longer one (which will be the mouth). Finally, put on the other towel.
Thus, you will already have the most stylish pumpkins in your entire neighborhood.
Ghost pumpkins
On this night of fear, witches and vampires are, of course, joined by ghosts. But these are more fun than usual.
materials
- Several pumpkins of type Patisson or Boneterea
Black cardboard
White color spray
Pencils and scissors
Craft queue
Step by Step
For this craft you will not need to carve the pumpkin. It is enough that, a spray of white paint, you paint all the fruit. Do not worry if you have to give it several layers, although, to save paint, you can also buy them in this same color.
While you let it dry, go drawing on the black cardboard the shapes of the eyes and the mouth that you want to put on your pumpkins, cut them out, and then glue them, using the craft glue.
Some terrifying pumpkins
These pumpkins will only be suitable for the bravest of the house. Just look at them to realize that, in effect, they bring together all the essence of Halloween.
materials
- Knives (one large and one small)
– Baubles. Jelly beans shaped like worms, teeth, spiders, eyes… The scariest thing you will find in the store.
Step by Step
Before you go, you have to carve the pumpkin. As before, cut the top, empty its contents, and let the children decide what the creature’s eyes, nose, and mouth will look like. Next, carve it, trying to cut deep enough to make it feel more horrifying.
As soon as it dries, all you have to do is put all the jelly beans that you have bought inside.
Following in the wake of the ‘Lord of Halloween’
Jack Skellington, the unmistakable ‘Lord of Halloween’ from the movie ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’, produced by Tim Burton, is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. If you dare to watch the movie with your children, later, you can ask them to recreate it on a pumpkin.
materials
- Small pumpkins
Black and white acrylic
Step by Step
It is a very easy activity, since, on this occasion, it is not necessary to carve the pumpkin either, since you are going to paint on it.
If you want it to be like Jack, paint it all white. If you get a bit tired of doing it with the brush and acrylics, use a white spray. When it is dry, paint over it, and do not forget the ‘stitched’ smile of the protagonist.
Of course, you can also play to create other different and equally creepy characters, such as the corpse bride.
With floral motifs
In the absence of vases, pumpkins are good. Or, at least, that’s what the ‘ Triangle Nursery ‘ florist in the United Kingdom has thought, which has not hesitated to turn them into a beautiful container to store flowers. Although it is less scary, it does not mean that an iota of originality is lost.
materials
- Pumpkin
Big knife
Dried or artificial flowers
Step by Step
Before preparing the pumpkin, let your little ones choose which flowers this pumpkin will carry inside. Once you have chosen them, the parents should cut the pumpkin horizontally, trying to make the cut approximately in the middle of the fruit.
Next, the children will have to empty its content, and as soon as it dries, place the flowers inside it. You already have a Halloween vase.
With a childish touch
You must have recognized it at first glance. Yes, indeed, it is about Arthur, an adorable mouse who stars in the children’s series that bears the same name. The little ones will be very excited to turn their pumpkin into their favorite television character.
materials
- Pumpkin of the elongated cucurbita maxima type
Markers, pencils and acrylics
Colored cards and scissors
Craft queue
Step by Step
Think of your favorite cartoon, and of course, make a list of everything you need. Wears glasses? How is your smile? Draw on the cardboard all these accessories that he needs, and color them and cut them out.
As soon as you have everything ready, stick it on the pumpkin using the craft glue.
The best home for your pet
Should Have a furry little friend at home, you can ask yourselves the option to create you a small house-shaped pumpkin, as they have done on the farm Cockfields Farm, UK.
materials
- Knives (big and small)
Felt pens
Colored acrylics (optional)
Step by Step
Once again, it is time to carve the pumpkin, but this time, you will not do it starting from its upper part. Draw an oval door, and cut it out. Through that hole, the children will extract all the pulp inside, and although the work is a bit arduous, it will be worth it.
Once emptied, proceed to create the windows and other facilities that you consider that your pet may need. So they too will join in on Halloween night.
Illuminated pumpkins
To tell scary stories, it is necessary to recreate a dark and terrifying environment, so you can transform your pumpkins into the only candle that illuminates the room.
materials
- Pumpkins
Knives (big and small)
Candle or a strip with small bulbs
Crystal glass
Step by Step
Cut the upper part of the pumpkin to extract its content, carve all the accessories that you consider necessary (the mouth, the eyes…). After a day outdoors, you will introduce either a candle or a strip with small lights, like those that surround Christmas trees.
If you opt for the first option, place the candle inside a glass to avoid any scare, and cover the top. Otherwise, if you prefer small bulbs, insert them inside, placing the pumpkin next to a socket or using an extension cord.
Turn off the lights and… you’re all set to go.
Full color!
Personalized especially for the most romantic of the home.
It will not be necessary to carve, but you will need to arm yourself with a lot of golden paint sprays to dye each of the fruits. Encourage the little ones to be the ones to choose the bright colors that will show off their fruits.
materials
- Bright colored sprays
Pumpkins
Step by Step
Buy several pumpkin bonnets, and cover them with the spray that you have bought. Don’t forget about its stem, which is just as important to achieve this effect.