How to Make a Melo-lantern (A Halloween Alternate!)

Halloween only comes once a year, and still I find a way to carve up to 4 pumpkins throughout October, sometimes starting even in September! But now you don't have to wait for the delights of the harvest season to turn your edibles into party friends!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Some kind of melon
• Several knives of different sizes
• A covered workspace, or outdoor space you can hose down
• A bowl for the fruit
• A trash can for seeds and rind
• A large spoon
• A hose or other cleaning supplies!

1. Set up your workspace:
   
   This project is messy. Everything will be sticky, so be prepared with cleaning supplies! A picnic table and a hose are a good combo for this project. Eat the melon along the way, or set it aside for a fruit salad with dinner...the melo-lantern can be your centerpiece.
2. Cut a Hole, Clean out the fruit:
   
   Cut a hole in the top or bottom of the melon and carve out all of the fruit. If you carve the hole in the top, keep the cut-out piece as a lid. If you carve in the bottom, you'll want a plate to set your melo-lantern on.
3. Start Carving:
   
   I never plan out elaborate designs. I tend to go for a big happy mouth and little round eyes. But of course, its up to you! Just like Jack-o-lanterns...each one is different.
   
   If you're doing this activity with children, have them draw on the design and help them carve it. Leave the knives to the adults!
4. Clean and Light Your Melo-lantern:
   
   Wipe all surfaces of your creation, clean your workspace and if you so desire, place a candle in your melo-lantern in the evening. Looks cool on the picnic table! If you cut the hole in the bottom, place a candle on a plate and carefully place the melo-lantern over the candle. Try this technique with a Jack-o-lantern next time as well! Surprise your friends with your ingenuity!

Tips & Warnings

• You can also place the cubed fruit back into the mouth of your creation and stick a spoon into it for serving!
• If you do this as a group project, get several different kinds of melons and make a big fruit salad...serve the fruit salads in the mouths of the melo-lanterns.
• Special thanks to Tim Fouch for this idea
• Children should be assisted with knives and candles.