This will be our second Saturday Morning Craft dedicated to Halloween. As the holiday fast approaches we recognize the role Halloween has played in many of our childhoods and as we re-imagined the holiday for this year we come back to the traditions that make Halloween special.
It is believed that the custom of making jack-o'-lanterns at Halloween time began in Ireland when people hollowed out turnips to act as lanterns. These were often carved with grotesque faces. Today we see jack-o'-lanterns carved in all sorts of ways depicting anything from beloved cartoon characters to famous works of art.
This tradition of carving pumpkins is a great activity that can be done from home this Halloween. Have a carving party within your social bubble or have a street wide carving contest and display your pumpkins on your porch!
If you are carving with a little one and want to avoid knives and blades consider doing your pumpkin carving with cookie cutters. Learn how here.
Maybe you are tiered of the same old toothy grin and triangle eyes. Watch pumpkin carving master Ray Villafane produce incredible Jack-O-Lanterns using clay tools to create ephemeral art that will really wow!
And if the goo and mess are just not your thing consider painting your pumpkin instead!
Hint: to help your jack-o'-lanterns last remember to; pick a pumpkin that is hard. Spray the jack o’lantern with a bleach solution, to stave off fungus growth. And if possible keep the pumpkin away from freezing temperatures.