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If there is such a thing, October is “pumpkin month,” followed closely by November. It seems this fall pumpkin harvest is found in all kinds of human activities, from eating to decorations to representative works of art. Pumpkin Spice LattesJack O’ Lanterns and pumpkin centerpieces are all on the table come fall.
In the mix of things, especially regarding Halloween and Thanksgiving, these are the children. They too develop a seasonal affection for this hard-skinned fruit and its image. They learn all kinds of knowledge about the pumpkin and inevitably want to express their admiration for its role in cultural (albeit largely fictional) treats or celebrations.
Either way, October and November are the perfect times to play with pumpkins. Some people like to use pumpkins for this, and others are happy to just depict the pumpkin. Carefree! We have children’s creations in every direction.
Source: Mountain Crest Gardens/YouTube
With pumpkins
The obvious pumpkin gift craft for the fall holidays is the Jack O’ Lantern, and of course, carving a pumpkin is a great thing to do with kids, adult supervision is strongly suggested. For other possibilities not involving knives…
Pumpkin(s) centerpiece – One of the best things about pumpkins is that they have a long shelf life, allowing them to survive the winter as is. This makes it an excellent choice for a seasonal decoration on the table. Why not buy some pumpkins and winter squash and have the kids place them as centerpieces? This could potentially become a nightly or weekly adventure. Add other fall stuff like shelled walnuts, pine cones, etc.
Front Door Fall Display – A few subtle decorating touches on the exterior of the house make the house even more comfortable when you come home after a long day at work, school or anywhere else. The ideal spot for a fall display is near the front door (or whichever door is used most), and pumpkins are a must-have. Have children help you collect colorful leaves, pine cones, acorns and other ornaments to make it a family activity.
Stenciled Pumpkins – While carving pumpkins may not be kid-friendly, stenciling pumpkins is a great substitute. These can be basic Halloween designs, or kids can have the freedom to get creative and put different shapes on them (stars, moons, cats, bats, etc.).
Succulent Pumpkin Planter – Little succulent plants have become a popular “pet” with children nowadays. Just for fun, small pumpkins can be hollowed out and filled with growing medium to serve as pumpkin planters for succulents during the fall. They will last a while but will eventually need to be replaced.
Put pumpkins around the house – Sometimes the best DIYs are the simplest ones, with no cleanup and very little effort up front. It’s a bit like when a child plays more with the box than with the gift. Well, a simple pumpkin craft is to buy decorative pumpkins for the whole house and have the kids spread out looking for the perfect place to place them: a bookshelf, the entertainment center, the fire pit, etc. .
Source: Easy Crafts for Kids/YouTube
Make fake pumpkins
The other way to make pumpkins is to use their rather pleasant shape and easy-to-imitate appearance to create crafts that look like pumpkins. This is an excellent opportunity for recycling and reuse tips.
Painted Wood Slice Pumpkins – For the family with a fireplace (and maybe a chainsaw), painted wood slice pumpkins can be fun. Cut round wood into small slices that children can paint. They can glue sticks for a stem and add little flourishes like bows or sparkly vines.
Candy pumpkins in a can – Basically it involves taking an old soup can (or something similar), painting it orange and decorating it with facial features like a Jack O’ Lantern. These may be fresh containers that can hold a reasonable amount of Halloween candy.
Paper mache pumpkins – A leftover balloon hidden somewhere, a few strips of torn newspaper, and a little homemade glue can make a fun, messy pumpkin project. Paper mache is easy to make but somewhat mind-blowing for beginners.
3D paper pumpkins – Waste paper, whether it’s junk mail, magazines, or old documents, is a resource most of us have. Color the paper orange, cut it into long strips and connect the ends of these strips to form a circle. Repeat a few more times around this original circle to make it a sphere. Add a stem. It’s a 3D pumpkin.
Jack O Lantern Potted Light – Making various lighting crafts is a great way to reuse all those saved glass jars hiding in the pantry. In this case, paint the pot with orange paint and add a Jack O’ Lantern design. Put a tea light in it and voila!
Kids love simple crafts
Keeping things accessible and doable will make crafting even more fun for kids, and it will keep them occupied long enough to give parents time to enjoy the moment, too. This is what crafts for children are for.
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