Pumpkin Carving

Since my kids were small {and maybe even before we had kids}, we’ve carved pumpkins almost every single year.  It’s a tradition that I love and one that creates fun fall memories for our family.

Once the kids get old enough to manage, I like to let them carve their own pumpkins so this year {for the first time} Luke and Lila each carved a big ol’ pumpkin!

We used pumpkin carving kits from Pumpkin Masters {available at your local grocery, drug, or craft store, and nationally at Target and Walmart} and the variety of tools made the task much simpler, especially for Luke and Lila.

I cut the tops off the pumpkins but the kiddos were able to use the scoops to clean out all the pumpkin goop and separate the seeds {we like to roast them later}.

Luke and Lila used templates from the Pumpkin Masters kits to carve their pumpkins.  Once they chose the design they wanted, I helped them transfer the images to the pumpkin {I made simple, shallow lines with a knife} and then the kids carved along those lines.  The templates are a fun way to get a really great looking jack o’lantern while still allowing younger kids to do the work.

The saw-toothed carving tools were easy for the kids to use and I didn’t have to worry about them cutting themselves.

Want to see the kids in action?

I decided to carve a pumpkin as well and couldn’t resist trying the punch tools to make a patterned pumpkin.  Years ago, I made something similar but the task was a bit more labor intensive {I used cookie cutters and a hammer}.  Having the right tools really made it fun.

The kids’ carved pumpkins turned out so great!  Luke carved a cat …

… and Lila carved a spider.

They were so pleased with how well their pumpkins turned out and I was amazed that they had such display-worthy jack o’lanterns!  The Pumpkin Masters kits really helped us to get a great result.

We had a fun family time decorating our pumpkins and we’re now proudly displaying them by the front door {and hoping the Texas heat doesn’t turn them to mush before Halloween!}.

Will you be carving a pumpkin this year?  Pumpkin Masters is hosting its annual Pumpkin Masters Carving Contest.  Share a picture of your carving via Instagram or Twitter with hashtag #PumpkinMasters2013, submit via the Facebook app, or send via email for a chance to win one of six prizes, including $5000 for the Best Pumpkin.  The contest runs from October 1-31, 2013.  Head to the Pumpkin Masters contest site for full contest details and official rules.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.