Blog » 12 Fun Things to do with Pumpkins!

12 Fun Things to do with Pumpkins!

The next few weeks are probably going to involve pumpkins in some form or other for most of us!  Don’t know about you but my two are very excited for Halloween, they have had a ‘Halloween Countdown’ on the fridge for the last few weeks!

First, you need to get your pumpkin, if you want to ‘pick your own pumpkin’ we have some ideas of places to go here. Then, what to do with your pumpkin!  We have picked out our 12 Favourite Pumpkin Activities but we would love to hear your ideas.  Join the North Leeds Mumbler Chat Group and share your ideas with others.

1. Make Pumpkin Slime

Ingredients:

– 1/2 Cup White PVA Glue
– Unscented Shaving Cream
– Orange Food Colouring
– Mason Jar
– Black  Paper
– Scissors
– Saline Solution
– Baking Soda

  1. Add 1/2 cup of white school PVA glue and 4 cups of shaving cream to a bowl. Mix well and then add in some drops of your orange food colouring. Stir to mix in the colour.
  2. Next stir in 1/4 tsp of Baking Soda. Then add saline solution about 1 Tablespoon at a time and mix.
  3. Keep adding a little more saline solution and mixing until your slime begins forming into a ball-like form as you mix. You’ll notice this is when it starts to turn into slime and becomes less sticky. It will begin coming off the sides of your container and sticking together.
  4. If your slime is still sticky add some more saline solution by starting small and adding a little as you go and continue to knead it. The slime will take on a fluffy marshmallowy consistency that is so addictive to play with!
  5. When you’re finished you’ll want to store your slime in an airtight container. Or have the kids create their own jack-o-lantern jars by cutting out the faces from black paper and using some PVA glue to glue their faces to the mason jars. This can be a super fun family activity, and perfect for a Halloween Party!

 

2. Traditional Pumpkin Carving

We find the best thing to do is draw on your design with pencil (then you have the chance to alter if required!).  The children love the job of scooping out the pumpkins seeds, with a bit of help needed to remove the stringy bits!  Last year we got a tip to wipe the pumpkin out with diluted bleach as it stops the pumpkin going mouldy quite so quickly!  Glow sticks are also a great alternative to candles (and safer!)  This link has some great stencils for Disney inspired pumpkins.

 

3. Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Don’t waste the seeds they are a great healthy snack for all the family

  1. Preheat the oven to 140 C / Gas mark 1. Line a baking tray with baking parchment or aluminium foil.
  2. After removing the seeds from the pumpkin, rinse with water, and remove any strings and bits of pumpkin. Pat dry, and place in a small bowl. Stir the olive oil and salt into the seeds until evenly coated. Spread out in an even layer on the prepared baking tray.
  3. Bake for 15 minutes, or until seeds start to pop. Remove from oven and cool on the baking tray before serving.

 

4. Paper Lantern

Fold the A4 orange paper in half. Cut approx. 1.5cm slices the whole way leaving approx. 2cm at each end. Glue the two short sides together. Staple green hand on. Draw on the face!

 

5. Paper Plate

Shape the top by cutting approx. 4cm. Paint orange. Using the cut off from the plate, cut out the stalk and paint green. Glue into place. Stick on pipe cleaners or wool to practice fine motor skills. Cut out shapes for eyes, nose and mouth and stick into place.

6. Pumpkin Troll

If you hate digging out the seeds, this is the type of pumpkin activity for you!

  1. Fan out several different colours of paper to make the hair.
  2. Tie together near the bottom with a pipe cleaner or rubber band. Glue into position using PVA glue
  3. I had some giant pipe cleaners which I used as a “hairband” to hide the “hairline”
  4. Cut out ears and cover with glitter.
  5. Glue ears into place. To make them stick out, I placed cocktail sticks behind them wedged into the actual pumpkin.
  6. Glue eyes and nose into position.
  7. Glitter and glue tear drop detail into place.
  8. Draw on extra facial expression detailing!

7. Pumpkin Stamps

Cut an apple lengthways in half. Cover in orange paint and use as stamps. Paint on green stalks and black face detailing.

 

8. Mini Pumpkin Faces

Use satsumas (or you can buy mini pumpkins) to draw on scary faces! Looks great in the fruit bowl! Or you can do a Mini ‘My Family’ of Pumpkins

9. Pumpkin Drip Art

Paint your pumpkin! Start by dripping poster paint in different colours over the pumpkin to make a lovely coloured background. Using either a black pen, black paint or paint paper, make the face and put into position.

Quick and easy. Allows all ages to partake in the pumpkin fun!

 

10. Pumpkin Planter

A pumpkin is the perfect shape to use as a planter.  Once you have scooped and wiped out your pumpkin drill/poke 4 holes in the bottom for drainage and then fill with soil and plants of your choice.  Another great one for all ages.

 

11. ‘Mummy’ Pumpkin

Have fun wrapping your pumpkin in bandages to create a spooky ‘mummy’ or ghost pumpkin, don’t forget the eyes before you start the wrapping process!

12. Create a Pumpkin Fairy Garden

With an adults help, carve out your pumpkin following step 2 above.  But this time carve a little door and windows to make a fairy house.  Then collect stones, leaves, twigs and other items to make a fairy sized garden around the pumpkin.  You can even use an old tinfoil pie dish to make a pond for your fairies.


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