How to Pick out the Perfect Halloween Pumpkin

A halloween pumpkin should have different characteristics than a pumpkin used for baking. Picking out a halloween pumpkin can also be a fun pre-halloween activity to do with kids.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Decide on what pattern you are going to carve in the halloween pumpkin:
   Then pick out a halloween pumpkin that best suits your pattern. If you want to carve a large detailed piece of art, then you'll want a large pumpkin with a clean flat "face." Versus if you want to carve a cute chubby jack o lantern, then you may want a smaller rounder halloween pumpkin.

2. Thump the shell of the halloween pumpkin:
   Ripe pumpkins will echo back a hollow sound - and this is what you are looking for.

3. Make sure the halloween pumpkin sits flat:
   You do not want a pumpkin that teeter totters on your front porch.

4. Look for the style of halloween pumpkin you want for your carving:
   If you want a clean slate, then pick a pumpkin with smooth and uniform skin and color. Or if you want to carve something scary, you may just want to pick out that pumpkin that looks like it has boils or warts!

5. Have fun carving and have a happy halloween!

Resources

• Pumpkin Carving Patterns

[AudreyBrown]

on 10/3/2008 YAY! 5 stars, I am so glad Halloween is here!