The Halloween holiday is certainly not
complete without spending a few hours carving a pumpkin with the kids. Carving
pumpkins together allows you to bond together as a family while engaging in a
delightful arts and crafts activity, wherein your children can put their skills
and imaginations to the test on an entirely new medium.
But while the tried-and-true method of drawing silly (or
spooky) shapes and cutting with the sharpest knife in the house may serve you
well, there are a variety of other
pumpkin
carving tips, tricks, and techniques
that you should consider testing this
year. So for some extra excitement this
All
Hallows’ Eve
, don’t hesitate to utilize one or more of these pumpkin carving techniques and tips before
the ghastly night arrives.
Find the Perfect Pumpkin
The process of carving a pumpkin for Halloween starts well
before you sit down at the table with the rest of the family. In fact, in order
to create a beautiful masterpiece, you should have a pumpkin that is up to the
task. Here, it is important to consider the shape of your pumpkin.
Does yours have a flat bottom? Or will
it roll off your porch when you set it down? And does your pumpkin have a
variety of bruises and blemishes? Or does it have a healthy surface, one that
lends itself to artistic mastery?
While these may seem like silly things to consider when
picking out a pumpkin with the kids, taking them into consideration will help
ensure that you have one that will help you create a beautiful finished
product.
Make Slanted Cuts at the Top
One you have a pumpkin, the fist cuts will involve the knife
being plunged into the pumpkin from the top down in an attempt to remove the
stem. This first cut then allows children to scoop out the seeds (or guts) of
the pumpkin, leaving a place for you to put a candle to turn your pumpkin into
a true jack-o’-lantern.
But when making these first cuts, don’t begin by cutting
straight down into the pumpkin. Instead, cut at a slight inward slant as you
move the knife in a circle. Doing so will help make sure that, when you place
the stem back on to retain the light, it doesn’t fall straight through into the
candle.
Consider Stencils
Of course, don’t hesitate to use freehand if your child
wishes. But if you want to create beautiful designs, it may help to enlist in
the help of a stencil. Stencils are made specifically to allow you to paint or
draw beautiful designs crafted by a professional.
And if you are looking for a stencil to use this Halloween,
consider something like the
Animal Fun Outdoor
Mandala. While this giant stencil is specifically designed to be
used on sidewalks or driveways, you can always get creative and bring it into
the kitchen when you carve pumpkins with the family. This toy comes with a
giant mandala stencil that you can use to draw and cut intricate designs out of
your pumpkin.
Gaze at the Face When You Cut
Many pumpkin carvers fail to utilize this simple pumpkin carving trick before the
Halloween holiday, which can instead lead to uneven cuts and even blemishes on
the pumpkin. Instead of cutting downwards at an angle while standing up, sit
down at the table, place the pumpkin in your lap, and cut directly forward into
where the face (or other design) will be.
This
will help ensure you don’t make any uneven cuts, and will keep the pumpkin
stable while you wield the knife
.
Please keep in mind that this step should always be taken by
an adult, and never a child. While kids should be allowed to draw designs on
the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds, knives are meant for adult use, even on
Halloween.
Don’t Let Your Pumpkin Rot
Have you struggled with carving a pumpkin early in the month
of October, only to see it rot out on your porch well before Halloween finally
arrives? If so, consider spreading a bit of
petroleum
jelly on the edges of the cuts
, either directly after you carve the
pumpkin, or once it begins to rot. Doing so will help seal in moisture,
extending the life of your carved pumpkin. And if you do find that your pumpkin
is rotting, you can
submerge it in cold
water to help keep it fresh for longer
.
Try these Pumpkin Carving Tips, Tricks and Techniques This Halloween
Carving a pumpkin is a wonderful way to bond as a family and
try a fun and exciting arts and crafts activity for kids. So this year, gather
around the table, get a few pumpkins, and try these simple
pumpkin carving tricks, tips and techniques to guarantee a
beautiful jack-o’-lantern for All Hallows’ Eve.