Half term is probably going to involve pumpkins in some form or other for most of us! I’m always needing some inspiration before Halloween arrives so here’s a few pumpkin-related activities we’ve heard about but we’d love to hear your ideas too – join the Norwich Mumbler Chat Group and share your ideas!
1. Traditional pumpkin carving
We find the best thing to do is draw on your design with pencil (then you have the chance to alter if required). The kids love the job of scooping out the pumpkins seeds, with a bit of help needed to remove the stringy bits. Glow sticks are also a great alternative to candles (and safer!) Go here for some great stencils for Disney-inspired pumpkins.
2. Pumpkin slime
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup white PVA Glue
– Unscented Shaving Cream
– Orange Food Colouring
– Mason Jar
– Black Paper
– Scissors
– Saline Solution
– Bicarbonate of Soda
1. Add 1/2 cup of white school PVA glue and 4 cups of shaving cream to a bowl. Mix well and then add in some drops of your orange food colouring. Stir to mix in the colour.
2. Next stir in 1/4 tsp of Bicarb. Then add saline solution about 1 Tablespoon at a time and mix.
3. Keep adding a little more saline solution and mixing until your slime begins forming into a ball-like form as you mix. You’ll notice this is when it starts to turn into slime and becomes less sticky. It will begin coming off the sides of your container and sticking together.
4. If your slime is still sticky add some more saline solution by starting small and adding a little as you go and continue to knead it. The slime will take on a fluffy marshmallowy consistency that is so addictive to play with!
5. When you’re finished you’ll want to store your slime in an airtight container. Or have the kids create their own jack-o-lantern jars by cutting out the faces from black paper and using some PVA glue to glue their faces to the mason jars. This can be a super fun family activity, and perfect for a Halloween Party!
3. Toasted pumpkin seeds
Don’t waste the seeds they are a great healthy snack for all the family
1. Preheat the oven to 140 C / Gas mark 1. Line a baking tray with baking parchment or aluminium foil.
2. After removing the seeds from the pumpkin, rinse with water, and remove any strings and bits of pumpkin. Pat dry, and place in a small bowl. Stir olive oil and salt into the seeds until evenly coated. It’s quite nice to add your favourite spice as well – we love cumin. Spread out in an even layer on the prepared baking tray.
3. Bake for 15 minutes, or until seeds start to pop. Remove from oven and cool on the baking tray before serving.
4. Pumpkin stamps
A nice seasonal alternative to potato stamping! Cut an apple lengthways in half. Cover in orange paint and use as stamps. Paint on green stalks and black face detailing.
5. Paper lantern
Fold a sheet of A4 orange paper in half. Cut approx. 1.5cm slices the whole way leaving approx. 2cm at each end. Glue the two short sides together. Staple a handle on. Draw on the face!
6. Paper plate
Shape the top by cutting off approx. 4cm. Paint orange. Using the cut off from the plate, cut out the stalk and paint green. Glue into place. Stick on pipe cleaners or wool to practice fine motor skills. Cut out shapes for eyes, nose and mouth and stick into place.
7. Pumpkin troll
a) Fan out several different colours of paper to make the hair.
b) Tie together near the bottom with a pipe cleaner or rubber band. Glue into position using PVA glue
c) Use pipe cleaners to make a “hairband” to hide the “hairline”
d) Cut out ears and cover with glitter
e) Glue ears into place. To make them stick out, place cocktail sticks behind wedged into the pumpkin
f) Glue eyes and nose into position
g) Draw on extra facial expressions!
8. Mini pumpkin faces
Use satsumas (or mini pumpkins) to draw on scary faces! Looks great in the fruit bowl… Or you can do a mini ‘My Family’ of pumpkins – how cute would that be?
9. Pumpkin drip art
Paint your pumpkin! Start by dripping poster paint in different colours over the pumpkin to make a lovely coloured background. Using either a black pen, black paint or paint paper, make the face and put into position.
Quick and easy. A bit of messy play which allows all ages to partake in the pumpkin fun!
10. ‘Mummy’ pumpkin
Have fun wrapping your pumpkin in bandages to create a spooky ‘mummy’ or ghost pumpkin, don’t forget the eyes before you start the wrapping process!
P.S – Don’t forget to keep checking our What’s On guide for the latest October half-term activities!