BRIGHT PUMPKINS

While unpacking my autumn decorations, my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter stumbled upon some paper mache pumpkins I painted several years ago and immediately fell in love with them.  So off to the patio we went, armed with 2 painted pumpkins, a drill for me and a stub handled Phillips-Head screwdriver for her.  It was the perfect late summer day project for us as we chatted about the seasonal changes that were coming in the days ahead.  I drilled the holes and she poked the screwdriver into each one to even out the edges.  Little did she know that I was enjoying spending some quality time with her while she was working on fine motor skills as she concentrated on completing her task. The creative payoff extends far beyond the finished rewards of making fun usable items with your kids, grandkids or students.  They not only learn to focus as they complete the task at hand as you talk about things like shapes, color and imaginative uses for repurposing items, but it's always a thrill when they have a finished project they can take pride in as a reward for their efforts.

You can find these tall  paper mache pumpkins online or at most local arts and crafts supply stores.  You can also use smaller round shaped pumpkins if you prefer. The featured pumpkins were originally painted with a metallic finish, but you can use acrylic craft paint to make them any color you choose.
After the punched pumpkins are completed, simply cut a hole in the bottom and
place them over a battery operated candle and you'll have a decorative luminary pumpkin to enjoy all season long!

YOU CAN FIND THE ORIGINAL RELATED POST HERE