We have decorated pumpkins every year for Halloween, but this was the first year that we carved them! Pumpkin Masters
The kits we were sent had a bunch of templates for making cool designs. The kids opted out of picking any of those, but they did enjoy looking through the books for inspiration.
De-gunking pumpkins is always my least favorite part, but Emma actually thought this part was pretty cool. All three kids liked using the include pumpkin goop scoops.
Johnny and Lily thought the plastic eyes were super cool! They were both super pleased with their finished pumpkins, and even brought them to dinner! Lily shared her pizza with her pumpkin:
Emma’s pumpkin had leaves carved into it, but somehow I didn’t get a picture (still lone parenting here, and life is a *little* hectic) – and, with California’s warm weather, these guys were already moldy this morning. Luckily we have another pumpkin to carve for Halloween – and plenty of tools! I think we’ll try a surface decoration – no degunking, and looks pretty easy with the tools we were sent!
Do you have a tip for helping Jack O’ Lanterns last longer? I would love to hear it!
MaryAnne lives in Silicon Valley with her Stanford professor husband Mike and their four children. She is passionate about parenting through education, creativity, and play. Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting is a space to share crafts, activities, and family outings that enrich lives and bring families together.
Jeanette Nyberg says
Who knew pumpkins ate pizza!? This looks like a really fun kit!
Jody says
Those pumpkins turned out so cute! I haven’t decorated pumpkins with my kids yet – I really need to do that as I have wonderful memories of making jack-o-lanterns as a kid but with our hot Octobers I would have the same rot issue here as you do. I’ll be watching the comments for any hints. I hope life gets a little less hectic and that you start seeing more of Mike again soon!
MaryAnne says
One reader suggested a bleach and water solution – sounds promising! And someone else emailed suggesting coating the inside with vaseline, which I could also see working!
Jody says
Great ideas!
Cheryl Stanke says
Next time you carve the pumpkin just spray a liitle bleach and water in it. It will stop the mold from happening.
MaryAnne says
Thanks!
Natalie says
Love the pictures! I am curious if Anna can manage an actual carving this year. I thought Emma’s pumpkin looks pretty good, and I can’t believe that Johnny already lost a tooth :)
MaryAnne says
Johnny got his first tooth at four months, so it wasn’t a huge surprised. I was just relieved he didn’t lose any teeth before Emma, because she would not have liked that!
Nina says
Oh I’ve got to try that water and bleach spray tip. Our pumpkin last year shriveled up after a while. My only solution this year is to carve our pumpkins closer to Halloween, about a week before.
Jen says
Looks like your kids had a lot of fun cleaning and decorating those pumpkins. Love it!
MaryAnne says
They really enjoyed it! We’ll be carving a big one right before Halloween.
Andrea Rust says
I plan to decorate pumpkins with my best friend again this year.
gina lovejoy says
this tear a little more scare. and some home made decor, kids are helping with craft projects
Jessica says
My favorite has been Fright Lights (think Lite Brites for pumpkins). J loves hammering them into the pumpkin.
MaryAnne says
I should look for some of those – I bet my kids would love them!
Pragmaticmom says
I like how it’s easy to carve the pumpkins and you don’t have to cut out every body part like eyes. We still need to get pumpkins! Yikes!
Sherry Smothermon-Short says
Haven’t decided on how to carve my pumpkin yet! But these tools would come in handy!
andiejaye says
Weren’t the carvers the best in these kits? So much better than a knife. Kudos to Emma for scooping the stuffing out, I had to do that for my little guy, it grossed him out, lol
MaryAnne says
Johnny and Lily thought that part was pretty gross! The carvers are awesome!
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories says
We loved the eyes in the kids carving kit, too. They give the pumpkins extra personality and look really cool with the lights!
MaryAnne says
Johnny and Lily LOVED the eyes!
Elisa | blissfulE says
Love the picture of Johnny and his pumpkin – both of them missing teeth! :)
MaryAnne says
I love that picture!
Ticia Adventures in Mommydom says
We’ve got some of those tools too. We’ve used them for years.
MaryAnne says
This was our first time using them. They’re great!
Jen says
So fun! We don’t carve pumpkins much but the few times we have the kids have really enjoyed it!