Halloween Pumpkin Carving Challenge

We've been challenged by Family Investments to make an impressive Halloween pumpkin. Unfortunately the artistic adult in the family was busy working and they only had me to inspire them, so I decided they were better off left to it. I was there for Health & Safety, photography and to laugh when it went wrong (in that helpful way parents do)...

The teenagers went shopping and returned with 3 smashing pumpkins, carefully chosen and in various sizes, and then, armed with implements that aren't as sharp as they look in the photos, they set to work....

After selecting your pumpkin you need to decide your design. You can do this in reverse order which obviously makes it easier if you're after something specifically tall or wide for example. We suggest you draw your design on paper before you even start cutting...

Then draw your design on your pumpkin.. Chalk is best because you can rub it out. Naturally my lot chose to use permanent marker - thankfully no-one made a mistake that couldn't be sorted out.

Next cut out the lid. It's very important that you cut at an angle, or else your lid will just fall into the pumpkin - especially when it starts to dry out. 

We've got a great one, a pass and one who forgot....

Hollow out your pumpkin - spoons and ice cream scoops are great for this! 

 Then you can start to cut your design. You don't need an incredibly sharp knife, and you don't need to go all the way through the flesh either. You can just thin it from either the inside or outside and the light will still glow through. 

It's good to try new things. The ears are a success, but the nose was a bit of a disaster and broke off....

And here we have our final results. 3 very scary Halloween pumpkins!

 

   We had a great time making these - the disasters are part of the fun and most things can be worked around. It kept 5 of ours busy all Sunday afternoon and is a great thing to do as a family. 

We were given the money to buy the pumpkins to take part in this challenge