How to Carve Pumpkins for Kindergartners
Carving pumpkins is one Halloween tradition that just about anyone can do, including kindergartners. Pumpkins can be transformed by carving out faces, letters or whatever designs students want to create. This is a fun way to help children learn about cultural traditions as well as art. Once a pumpkin is carved, it will start to rot within a few days so wait until two or three days before Halloween to make your carvings. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pumpkins
- Newspaper or tablecloth
- Soap
- Water
- Towels
- Dull pumpkin knife
- Bowl
- Washable markers
Instructions
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Spread out newspaper or a disposable tablecloth over the area where you're going to be carving pumpkins. Carving them outside will keep your classroom from becoming a mess, but if you're going to carve indoors, set up on tables that are situated on a non-carpeted floor.
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Wash the pumpkins using dish soap and wet rags or paper towels. Pass out dry towels so children can thoroughly dry their pumpkins before carving.
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3
Use a dull pumpkin knife to cut out the top of each pumpkin. This is a special type of knife sold in Halloween stores that isn't sharp at all, so children can use it. Teachers should still supervise and help the children make the cut.
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Remove the pumpkin lids and let each child scoop out the flesh and seeds into a bowl. Some kindergartners may be bothered by the slimy texture of the pumpkin's insides, so keep some disposable gloves and large kitchen spoons on hand for children to use.
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Pass out washable markers for children to draw a design onto their pumpkins. If they don't like the shapes they've drawn, they can rub off the marks and draw them on again. Explain that children should draw large, simple shapes, since these will be easier to cut out.
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Help each child cut the shapes out of the pumpkin using the dull pumpkin knife. If children get frustrated with cutting or don't want to do it anymore, finish the cutting for them and ask them to separate the pumpkin seeds from the flesh. You can later wash the seeds, sprinkle them with salt and toast them.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
