20 Uses for Pumpkin, Squash, and Gourds

Just in time for Fall, I've compiled a list of fun ideas for using up your garden produce and celebrate the season with your family. Many of these projects can use gourds, pumpkin, or other squash interchangeably, but some are fruit specific so definitely check out the links listed. Enjoy!

1. Make Musical Instruments

Get creative and make shakers, maracas, drums, or even banjoes! This Website has everything you need to know about creating and caring for your gourd music makers!

2. Make a Bird House

This is a fun way to get your children interested in observing the natural inhabitants of your back yard, and they will be ecstatic to have the opportunity to keep their little flying friends warm as the cold weather sets in. Visit Amish Gourds for tips on how to begin and for supplies.

3. Make a Snowman

Speaking of cold weather, this project will have them day dreaming about wintry adventures all the way up to the first snow. Get ideas here and here.

4. Eat Them

Mmmm! Pumpkin pies, breads, soups, and more! There's almost no end to what can be done with squash in the kitchen. Get great recipes at Epicurean.

5. Decoupage Them

If you have a little one who just can't get enough of gluing things together, have them cut out pictures in a theme and make their own three-dimensional pumpkin or squash collage! See an example here.

6. Make a Gourd Ghost

One of many things you can do with fruit and a little bit of paint, have them create your front porch Halloween decorations using gourds or squash! Here's a ghost to begin with.

7. Carve Them

The internet makes making a jack-o-lantern or squash-o-lantern a cinch with printable pattern ideas. Find some here and here (scroll down for free patterns or order the pattern book). Check out her home page at http://www.pumpkinlady.com/ for more fun info also!

8. Make a Bowl

This Fall project using a sturdy dried gourd could be craft or art! Either way it will last for years to come. Directions here.

9. Make Candles