These kid – friendly pumpkin decorating ideas are super fun, safe and easy to do. The best part is that they leave little mess and can be made and enjoyed well before the big day.
1. STICKERS
Stickers are the easiest, cleanest option for pumpkin decorating. Most households with kids have lots of stickers. On a quick trip to the craft store or Scholar’s Choice you can pick up a sorts of Halloween themed stickers as well as a variety of textures, shapes and sizes. You can even by stickers made for decorating pumpkins. I really like the foam stickers because they are so easy for the kids to peel off and they bend to the shape of the pumpkin
2. PAINT
There are so many wonderful things that kids can do with paint and pumpkins. I love the idea of using trendy chalk board paint. Kids can also use stencils, tape off sections or try neon paints to get a fun look. Try puffy paint or glitter paint too.
3. MR POTATO HEAD
Nothing could be easier for small hands. Grab your Mr Potato head and stick his parts right into your pumpkin. It’s just as much fun as the actual toy. I have even seen sets of Halloween themed Mr Potato Head kits in the craft store. You can get a witch or bat.
4. DECORATIVE TAPE
There are so many wonderful decorative or Washi tapes available these days. Our local craft stores have a huge variety. There are many interesting duct tapes in patterns and colours as well. Kids can let their imagination run wild, creating fun designs and patterns.
5. GLITTER
Glitter makes the most mesmerizing pumpkins. It can be added to wet paint or glue to give a bit or a lot of sparkle. It is fun to print off some easy pumpkin carving stencils but instead of cutting out the shapes on the pumpkin, paint some glue on it and make a glitter face!
** cover work space with lots of newspaper and keep the vacuum handy
6. BUTTONS, COTTON BALLS, SEQUINs and all of the other fun stuff in the craft box.
Dig down to the bottom of your craft box or take a trip to your local craft store and stock up on jewels, buttons, colorful cotton balls, and sequins. Give your little crafter some glue and set them to work on their masterpiece.
7. DECOUPAGE
Collect some strips of paper, bits of fabric or colourful leaves to create an interesting decoupage pumpkin. Grab some modge podge and a foam paint brush. Layer on your materials and seal. The finished products are often great works of art.
Follies of the Fall Forest – Guided tours of Gatineau Park
A dynamic, educational program for the whole family. This two-hour program includes a short introduction at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, followed by a guided hike along the Sugarbush Trail. No reservation is necessary. Space is limited and is allotted on a first come, first served basis.
Saunders Farm
Haunting Season is now underway at Saunders Farm in Munster. The Farm launched its most eek-citing and delicious Haunting Season ever.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
It’s not to early to get pick out the perfect pumpkin for this year’s spectacular Jack-0-Lantern. There are many pumpkin pataches and stands around the region. Nothing could be more perfect on a crisp Thanksgiving weekend.
Carleton University Butterfly Exhibit
The Ottawa Butterfly Show is an annual event that runs daily from Saturday,October 5, 2013, to Monday, October 14, 2013, in the greenhouses of Carleton University’s biology department.
Some butterflies love to land on colourful clothing or you could just put your hand underneath and they would climb on. So bring your kids or your camera or both and enjoy this exhibit! But hurry, it’s only on as long as the butterflies’ lifespan!
Experimental Farm
At this time of year, many Canadian farms are harvesting the food crops that will sustain us throughout the year. To celebrate the harvest, join us at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, where you will see farm machinery, such as a baler and a model of a grain elevator, in action! Test your knowledge on Canadian food crops, such as apples, corn and pumpkins, by taking part in various challenges and talking to local producers (local produce will be available to purchase on site).
Pumpkinferno
Come and stroll through a hauntingly beautiful and spellbinding outdoor exhibit of now close to 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins, set against a stirring night-time backdrop just inside the gates of historic Upper Canada Village. Marvel at this eclectic display of scenes from exotic places and historic ages, meet up with forest animals and sea-born creatures, see story book heroes, mythical characters, cultural icons and more …. all carved from pumpkins!
Visit a Farmers’ Market
Server and prepare on the freshest and best ingredients for your family and friends this Thanksgiving weekend. Our local Farmers’ Markets are ripe with farm-fresh, in season products for you to enjoy.
