Break Out!

GET IDEAS FOR MAKING UNIQUE JACK-O'-LANTERNS

Pumpkin
Decorating


Before you start working on your jack-o'-lantern, here are a few fun facts. 
-A pumpkin is a fruit.
-One jack-o'-lantern weighed over 1,806 pounds!
-The Irish invented the jack-o'-lantern in the 19th century.

-The names of pumpkin varieties include Baby Boo, Casper, and Mother Lode.



Skip the knife and paint funny faces on your pumpkins instead. Painted pumpkins generally last longer than carved ones. Be sure to choose a pumpkin that's fairly smooth and give it a good wipe down with a moist towel or rag before you start painting. 

Plan your escape from the normal solo jack-o'-lantern and use two pumpkins for one display. 

Who says stems have to be on the top? Turn a curvy stem into a funny nose. Make a small opening on the bottom of your pumpkin for scooping out the seeds. 

For a ghostly display, paint your pumpkins completely white. Once the paint has dried, add black circles for mouths. Acrylic paint works best. Stick on some googly eyes and place the pumpkin on a base. You can use coffee filters draped over the top of a glass or jar.

To help your creation last longer, be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight and away from hungry squirrels. Once carved, most pumpkins only last a week or so. But don't worry, there will be more to carve next year!