If there is such a thing, October is the “month of the pumpkin”, with November coming in a close second. This autumn pumpkin harvest, it seems, finds its way into all sorts of human endeavors, from eating to decorations to representative works of art. Pumpkin spice lattes, Jack O’ Lanterns, and pumpkin centerpieces are figuratively all on the table in the fall.
In the mix of things, especially concerning Halloween and Thanksgiving, are the kids. They, too, develop a seasonal affection for this hard-skinned fruit and its likeness. They learn all sorts of lore about the pumpkin, and they inevitably wish to express admiration for its role in trick-or-treating or cultural (albeit largely fictional) feasts.
Regardless of all of that, October and November are the right time for playing with pumpkins. Some folks like to use pumpkins for this, and others are content with simply depicting the pumpkin. No worries! We’ve got kids’ crafts either way you swing.
Source: Mountain Crest Gardens/YouTube
With Pumpkins
The obvious pumpkin-present craft for the autumn holidays is the Jack O’ Lantern, and by all means, carving up a pumpkin is a great thing to do with the kids, adult supervision is strongly suggested. For other possibilities not involving knives…
Pumpkin(s) Centerpiece – One of the great things about pumpkins is that they have a long shelf life, so they can survive into winter as is. That makes them a great choice for a seasonal decoration on the table. Why not buy a few pumpkins and winter squashes and have the kids arrange them into a centerpiece? It could potentially become a nightly or weekly venture. Add some other autumn stuff like nuts in shells, pine cones, etc.
Front Door Autumn Display – A few subtle notes of décor outside of the house make it feel all the cozier when returning home after a long day at work or school or wherever. The perfect place for an autumn display is near the front door (or whichever door is most used), and pumpkins are a must-have component. Get the kids to help with collecting colorful leaves, pine cones, acorns, and other adornments to make a family activity.
Stenciled Pumpkins – While carving Jack O’ Lanterns might not be well-suited for children, stenciling on pumpkins is a great substitute. They can be basic Halloween designs, or the kids can have the freedom to get creative and put different shapes—stars, moons, cats, bats, etc.—on them.
Succulent Pumpkin-Planter – Little succulent plants have become a popular “pet” for kids these days. Just for fun, small pumpkins can be hollowed out and filled with growing medium to act as pumpkin planters for succulents during the autumn. They’ll last for a while but will eventually need replacing.
Put Pumpkins around the House – Sometimes the best crafts are the simplest, with no clean-up and very little effort up-front. It’s kind of like when a kid plays with the box more than the present. Well, an easy pumpkin craft is to buy decorative pumpkins for around the house and have the kids scatter out in search of the perfect place to put them: a bookshelf, the entertainment center, the hearth, etc.
Source: Easy Kids Craft/YouTube
Making Fake Pumpkins
The other way to craft with pumpkins is to use their rather agreeable shape and easily mimicked appearance to make crafts that look like pumpkins. This is a great opportunity for upcycling and repurposing stuff.
Painted Wood Slice Pumpkins – For the family with a fireplace (and perhaps a chainsaw), painted wood slice pumpkins can be fun. Cut round wood into little slices for the kids to paint. They can glue on sticks for a stem and add little flourishes like bows or twizzle-y vines.
Tin-Can Candy Pumpkins – Basically, this is taking an old soup can (or something similar), painting it orange, and decorating it with facial features like a Jack O’ Lantern. These can be cool containers for holding a reasonable amount of Halloween candy.
Papier Mache Pumpkins – A leftover balloon tucked away somewhere, some torn-up strips of newspaper, and a bit of homemade glue can make for a messy, fun pumpkin project. Papier mache is easy to do but somewhat mind-blowing for first-timers.
3-D Paper Pumpkins – Waste paper, be it junk mail, magazines, or old documents, is a resource most of us have around. Color the paper orange, cut it into long strips, and connect the ends of those strips to make a circle. Do it again a few more times around that original circle to make that a sphere. Add a stem. That’s a 3-D pumpkin.
Jack O Lantern Jar Luminary – Making various luminary items is a great way to repurpose all of those saved glass jars that have been lurking in the pantry. In this case, paint the jar with orange paint and add a Jack O’ Lantern design. Put a tea candle in it, and voila!
Kids Love Simple Crafts
Keeping things approachable and achievable will make the crafts all the more fun for the kids, and it’ll keep them engaged long enough to give the parents time to enjoy the moment, too. Now, that’s what kid crafts are all about.
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