Creative Uses for Pumpkins!

Every One Loves Seeing Pumpkins and the Warmth They Bring to the Cool Fall Season

Pumpkins are really just a large, orange squash. Generally squash is thought of only to be used for eating and nutritional components. Well, the pumpkin has been taken to a higher level of sophistication by becoming the centerpiece in many homes during fall and the peak of the harvest season. Whether you grown your own pumpkins or visit the local pumpkin patch, there are so many fun things to do with these large orange vegetables!

First off is the most common use of pumpkins in America, a Jack-o-lantern. Almost every child loves to cut a face or picture out of their treasured pumpkin. Starting at the pumpkin stand, all kids love to turn each pumpkin around so that they are sure they find the very best one. After taking the pumpkin home, the child begins to dream about what they can make this simple little pumpkin become.

The most commonly decorated pumpkin is a Jack-o-Lantern which is a scary face on the pumpkin. A Jack-o-Lantern is usually symbolic of Halloween. If you would still like to decorate pumpkins, but not celebrate Halloween, there are many other ways of carving a pumpkin. Start by cutting the top off and scooping out all the contents. The seeds inside can be saved for a later use. Then find a maker and draw your decoration. A smiley face, flower, date, name, or initials are some fun ideas. Once you have the perfect design, just cut out the pumpkin. This is easier said than done, but a sharp knife should do the trick. Tradition is to then place a candle inside the pumpkin so that at night the carving is shown in the dark.

If you don't want to deal with the hassle and mess of carving a pumpkin, you can decorate it with markers or paint. A traditional painted pumpkin features two eyes, a nose, ears, a mouth and maybe even some fun hair. This is a great way to encourage craftiness and creativity in your children. Oil based paints and waterproof markers are the best materials to decorate the pumpkin with as they are the most permanent through the outdoor weather. Find some yarn, straw or other material for the hair. You can also paint any picture you want on your pumpkin, creativity always leads to the best design!