Decorating Pumpkins for Halloween

Fun Ways to Decorate Pumpkins for Halloween

There are some really fun events that can be done on or before Halloween. One of them is Decorating Pumpkins for Halloween and many families have made it a tradition to carve their pumpkins on the night before Halloween. 

The trip to the local pumpkin patch with all the family members creates memories for children, parents and Grandparents. Some family have made this a tradition that they pass down to their children. But did you know that there are other ways to decorate these orange colored gourds.

Listed below are some ideas on how to decorate a pumpkin for Halloween and two of them can be done by children under that age of 10. Many of the ideas don't require any carving and can use artificial pumpkins that will last year after year, but the last one is carving a real pumpkin which is still on the top of everyone's list.

 To get started purchase an artificial pumpkin from Amazon or a hobby store. They come in several different shapes, colors, and styles that you can decorate. So pick the one you think will look great at your front door, then make one of these decorated pumpkins for your Holiday.

1. Decorating a Pumpkin with Stickers: The Sticker Pumpkin is great for Children 2years and Up

 The sticker pumpkin is a great way for Toddlers to decorate a pumpkin for Halloween without worrying about the mess or danger of carving a pumpkin at this age. This is the easiest way to allow the youngest members in the family to create their own personal pumpkins for Halloween. 

 List of Supplies: 

  1. A Pumpkin ( both real or plastic pumpkins will work)  
  2. Any type of Halloween or character stickers ( You can even find sticker that look like a Jack-O-Lantern face)  
  3. Glue( in case some of the sticker peel off) or if you want to make your own cut-out to glue on the pumpkin.

 Instructions:
 First wipe down the pumpkin with a damp towel to make sure surface is clean and that the sticker will adhere to the pumpkin.
  Next peel off the sticker from their backing and apply any where you like on the pumpkin. This is the part where you can set up sticker at the table for the children and let them to all the decorating of their pumpkins. Just remember to get the camera ready for some cute pictures.

Note:   I prefer artificial ones that you can purchase online or at a hobby store, because the are light weight and last year after year. So you don't have to worry about the younger children accidental dropping a real pumpkin. 

2. Decorating a Pumpkin with Paint: The Painted Pumpkin for Children 4 and Up

Here is another way to Decorate a pumpkin for children 4 and up. In less than one hour, you and your child can create the most adorable and one of a kind pumpkins that are ready to display in your home. In fact Pumpkin Painting is the perfect activity for children that aren't ready to handle carving duties.







List of Supplies:

  1. Pick real pumpkins that don't have any blemishes or purchase artificial ones.  
  2. Craft paints in several different colors  
  3. Multipurpose Sealer  
  4. Several Paint brushes and plastic cups for water 
  5. Paper Towels or Baby wipes  
  6. Newspaper or vinyl table cloth to protect your painting surface.   
  7. Additional embellishments like Yarn, Buttons, Foam Pieces and Feathers.

Instructions on How to Paint a Pumpkin:

 Before painting wipe off the dirt on the pumpkin with a baby wipe or damp paper towel. This will give you a clean surface and allow the paint to adhere to the pumpkin.

  Next paint the whole pumpkin with a Multipurpose Sealer( only needed on real pumpkins). Let dry completely, this usually take at least two hours. 

  There are several way to paint your pumpkin. One is the standard Jack-o-Lantern face that most people use for Halloween. Another is painting dots, squares or anything the appeals to your child. Let them use their imagination when it comes to painting their pumpkins.

   You can start by drawing a face,a fun pattern, or freehand design onto your sealed pumpkin with a permanent marker or trace out a design on paper, then copy the design using transfer paper and a pencil onto your pumpkin and paint.
  But don't stop there, you can also add all kinds of embellishments with glue to make your pumpkin one of a kind.  Just allow your children to have fun and use their imaginations in creating their pumpkins.

Here are some fun Ideas for painting your pumpkin: 

  Paint your pumpkins a solid colors for various Halloween characters:
   Use Purple for Dracula.Green for witches, Frankenstein and aliens.White for ghosts and mummies, Black   for cats,spiders and bats and Brown for owls.
    Add Craft Foam for an easy, 3-dimensional effects. Use it for wings, ears, hands, crowns, etc
    Personalize the painted pumpkins with your child's name or giant initial for a fun touch.

 Notes:
 A few websites offer free stencils you can print. Click here for some Free Jack o' Lantern Stencils.  Another fun Idea is to have a pumpkin painting party with family, friends or children in your neighborhood. 


Decorating a Pumpkin with Stencils: The Stenciled Pumpkin for Children 12 and Up

 This decorated pumpkin takes a lot more time and patient, but the results are worth it. You can use this type of decorated pumpkin for more than just Halloween. Do more than one and you have a great center piece for Thanksgiving. Stenciling pumpkins is really a craft designed more for the older child or adult, but the completed project makes for a beautifully designed pumpkin that is truly one of a kind and one the you will be proud to display in your home.

List of Supplies:

  1. Pumpkins ( on this project I recommend the artificial pumpkins)  
  2. Stencils 
  3. Round foam brushes made for stenciling  
  4. Paint  
  5. Straight pins(used for sewing)  
  6. water container 
  7. Paper plates
 
  Instructions:
 
  Step 1: Wipe off any dust one the pumpkin with a damp rag to have a clean, smooth surface before painting.
 
  Step 2: Place the stencil on the pumpkin and place a straight pin around the stencil to into place. I used the straight pins instead of tape because the pumpkin in not a flat surface and the pin help mold the stencil around the pumpkin for a better fit. ( You will need to repeat this step every time you stencil another spot on the pumpkin.)
 
  Step 3: Pour out the paint onto a paper plate, then take the foam brush and dip it into the paint. Gentle tap the paint around the stencil until it is cover with paint. Wait at least 5 minutes before removing the stencil to keep the paint for smearing.

  Step 4: Stencil only one side of the pumpkin, then let it dry for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, then come back and do the other side.

  Step 5: When the pumpkin is completely dry you can add other embellishments to either the stencil or the pumpkin for a more artistic touch.
  Notes:
  This project will take at least 1-2 hours to finish, but the pumpkins you create will be worth the time and patients. This way of decorating pumpkins was one of my favorite and I planned to do more for Thanksgiving this year.

 Note: You can also purchase DecoArt® Glo-in-the-Dark™ Dimensional Writer from Michael's for your painted pumpkins that will give them an eerie glow on your front porch.

Decorating a Pumpkin with Carvings: 
Carving a Pumpkin for older Children and Adults

  Have you ever wondered why we started carving pumpkins into Jack o' Lanterns? The custom of carving pumpkins started in Ireland many centuries ago.The Irish used turnips in the old country to make Jack o' Lanterns because they were plentiful. They didn't start using pumpkins until they migrated to America and brought their custom with them. While carving the typical Jack-O-Lantern face on a pumpkin is relatively simple and fairly easy for most children. You just draw a face onto the pumpkin,take a knife and carve it out.

  But what if you want something a little more detailed and different then good old Jack. Many older children and Adults want to try their hand at carving a scene or something other than the standard face on their pumpkins, but it takes a few more tools and instructions to carve that Pumpkin Master Piece.

 List of Supplies: To Carve That Special Pumpkin
 
  1. A pumpkin that is big enough to fit the pattern you want to carve. Finding one with a nice smooth side will make your work easier.  
  2. A Pumpkin Carving Kit ( You can start with a basic kit or purchase one of the pro-carving tools if you really get into this hobby.)  
  3. Pumpkin stencils/patterns

  Note:
  If you want to try to carve something different this year,then check out these Free Stencils from Pumpkin Masters.

    Pumpkin Carving Tips:
   1. Carve a circular opening in bottom of pumpkin.
   2. Clean out the pumpkin by scraping out all the seeds and strings, then scrape the pulp down to 1 inch on the front and 1/2 inch on the back where you plan to carve the design on you pumpkin.
   3. If you are planning to carve both the back and front, then you need to start with the back first and attach the pattern to the pumpkin with tape. Remember that you want the pattern paper to be smooth. A good tips to do this is to crease the paper until it fit smoothly around the pumpkin.
  4. Transfer the pattern onto the pumpkin with the ponce wheel that come in the carving kit. If you didn't purchase the kit, then use a transfer pattern wheel for sewing. Roll the wheel along the line, until the design is completely transferred. Remove paper.
  5. Carve design by hold the knife or saw like a pencil and saw steadily with an up and down motion at a 90 degree angle. Used gentle presser to prevent breaking the knife or saw.
  6. Clean up the design by removing the extra flesh around the carved area.
  7. Repeat Steps 3-6 for the front. If you plan on doing a front and back design, then make sure that you position the front pattern so it lines up in relation to the back design.
  8. Light it up! You can place the bottom hole over a battery powered light or candle holder, then watch your carved pumpkin come alive.

  Decorating Pumpkins For Halloween:
 
 These are just some fun ways that I have found to Decorate Pumpkins for Halloween. The best part is after you finish, then you can group them all together for a unique Halloween front porch display. Hope you have as much fun making your pumpkins as I did.