With fall upon us and Halloween nearing, the kids might be getting restless for something fun to do. Send out the Halloween Party Invitations and gather up the masses.  Bring out your paint brushes because it’s time for a pumpkin painting party!  It’s a great way to get creative and preserve your pumpkins.

Getting Started:

  • You’ll need to organize a few supplies. Either instruct your guests to bring their own pumpkins or load up on pumpkins of all shapes and sizes for your guests to choose from. 
  • Make sure your pumpkin surface is clean and dry. 
  • Acrylic paints work best.  Lighter colors may require several coats. 
  • Paint pens are also a good option 
  • Put paints in foil cupcake pans (find them at your local grocery store) and give each color it’s own brush. Keeps paints from mixing!
  • Cover tables with press and seal cling wrap.  Easy clean up!
  • Consider providing embellishments like stickers, jewels or even props like hats, eye patches, bandannas, hair, etc.  to really make your pumpkin stand out!

 paintedpumpkin.jpg

Tips and Ideas:

  • To keep kids *clean*, provide them with a paint shirt.  (Dad’s old undershirts work great!)
  • Kids can draw a design on the pumpkin first with a pencil to help. Or create a template by taping on the paper design.
  • Consider painting the pumpkins outside.  If painting inside, lay down newspaper or inexpensive drop cloth to protect flooring.
  • Get creative! Make a Mickey Mouse pumpkin by adhearing smaller pumpkins to serve as mouse ears! Use bamboo skewers to secure them.  Or a witch, Frankenstein or bat pumpkin!
  • Encourage kids to get abstract if they want, use words and pictures on their pumpkins.