Nothing screams Halloween season like pumpkin. It’s everywhere, starting from coffee to pie and even to porch decorations! We have been carving pumpkins ever since the Irish brought the tradition of Jack-o’-lanterns to America. It’s a great activity to let the imagination run wild and one that adults and kids enjoy equally. But it doesn’t come without it’s dangers, especially for the little ones since it requires sharp tools and great precision.
To ensure a fun and safe pumpkin carving experience for your whole family there are some precautions you could take:
Use foam pumpkins
Foam pumpkins are a much safer and less messy competitor to the traditional pumpkin. Craft pumpkins are much softer and thinner crusted than the real fruit. A kid can easily carve it using punch kit – something a lot less dangerous that a knife or a saw! Plus craft pumpkins have a longer life allowing friends and family to enjoy your kid’s creation all year round!
Use kids carving kits
These kits were specially designed for kids, which means that the tools perfectly fit their little hands and give little carvers more control throughout the carving process. The tools are sharp enough to carve a pumpkin but not as sharp as a kitchen knife. Additionally these sets come with carving templates that are easy to transfer on the pumpkin. This option might be safer but remember, never leave your children unattended during the carving process.
Pre-carve the pumpkin
After outlining the design on pumpkin instead of carving it out right away you can go over the lines with a knife and scrape off the skin. This way it will be easier for kids to continue carving it with something as safe as a melon baller! Fun and messiness still ensures!
Settle down for No-Carve pumpkins
No carve pumpkins aren’t a bad option. If anything they might be better than the traditional carving: It’s less messy, less dangerous and lets the pumpkin last longer.
Besides there’s still plenty a kid could do to make it look cool using glue, colour paper and other safe craft supplies.
Take a look at some of these amazing no carve pumpkins!
