Let's go learn: Carving a Jack-o'-Lantern

Halloween is a fun holiday for kids of all ages. From costumes to candy to pumpkins and parties, you’ll have no trouble keeping your child busy and engaged. If carving a pumpkin is a family tradition or something you’d like to try, here are some tips for having a fun and safe time creating your work of art.

What You’ll Need

First, pick a pumpkin suitable for carving. You’ll find a great pumpkin selection locally at Hy-Vee stores, and also at places like Wilson’s Orchard. Consider what kind of face or design you want to carve and try to choose a pumpkin shape that suits that design. Your pumpkin should be able to sit on a flat surface without falling over and have a stem long enough to create a functional lid. Before you start carving, be sure to wash your pumpkin with a damp cloth to remove any dirt.

Other essential tools:

One or two sharp knives of different sizes.

A large spoon or ice cream scoop.

A dry erase marker for drawing.

Newspaper.

A bowl or other receptacle for the guts.

Safety

Talk to your child about safety when handling sharp objects. If your child is small, it’s a good idea to not let them handle the knives. A good job for them is to dig out the guts of the pumpkin with their hands or a scoop. If your child is a bit older and you feel they are ready for that responsibility with your supervision, be sure to advise them on the proper way to hold a knife, to never cut toward themselves and to keep their free hand out of the way. Talk to them about always pointing sharp objects toward the floor when carrying them, and never handling them in a reckless manner.

Follow these simple steps

Create a lid by cutting a circle about 2 inches around the stem, then pulling it free of the rest of the pumpkin. When cutting, point the knife inward toward the center of the pumpkin and cut at an angle to keep the lid from falling inside.

Remove the pulp from the inside of the pumpkin using a scoop or your hands. Throw the pulp away or save it to remove the seeds to roast later.

Scrape the inside of the pumpkin clean. Make sure to scrape the bottom flat so a candle can stand up straight.

Sketch a face or design on the front of the pumpkin with a dry erase marker.

Using a paring knife, cut along the outline of the face or design. Use your fingers to push the cut-out pieces out of the pumpkin.