We made this easy craft with my daughter’s friends for a Halloween-themed play date.
No pictures of the process because there were lots of children there who aren’t mine…but it is very simple to do.
Materials:
- clear, plastic ornaments (we got ours at Oriental Trading but many of the craft stores have them out for Christmas)
- permanent (“Sharpie”) markers
- orange filling (paper, feathers, beads, tulle, pom-poms, anything)
- green pipe cleaner (chenille stem) or curling ribbon
- fishing wire
Directions:
1. Stuff your ornament with some sort of orange filler. We used orange construction paper because we had it on hand but you can use whatever you like. Just realize that unless you glue the ornament together, it may open up, spilling out the contents.
2. Draw on your Jack O’ Lantern face with the Sharpie. You can use different color markers or add any embellishments you like!
3. Twist the green chenille stem through the top or use a bit of curling ribbon to create a nice vine effect.
4. Hang with the fishing wire.
Educational Connections
- History: Examine how immigrants bring cultural traditions with them to their new homelands and how those traditions sometimes change. Research the origin of the “jack-o-lantern”. Why was the original one a turnip?
- History and Culture: Research the history of the pumpkin, use by Native Americans, and how the pumpkin came to be associated with Halloween and Thanksgiving.
- Science: Read about the life cycle of the pumpkin. Use photographs to make a chart.
- Home Arts: Find out about the nutritional benefits of pumpkin and then try to make a few pumpkin treats!
