Easy pumpkin carving ideas and free patterns

This post is easy... it's just pictures (some mine, some not!) of different ways to carve a pumpkin. Most of them are really easy to do too!

A carved pumpkin can last anywhere from 1 day to a week, so don't carve too early!


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

The following websites have FREE patterns you can download and print to help you carve you own pumpkin:

http://www.celebrating-halloween.com/pumpkincarving/index.shtml

http://www.ehow.com/halloween/templates.html#carvingPatterns
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/halloween/mpatterns.htm

sources:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/
http://www.marthastewart.com/

http://www.rd.com/

Indoor fall activities you can do with your children

My last post was about activities you can do outside with your kids. As much as I like going outside with my kiddies, there are some days where the fall weather just doesn't cooperate!

Here is a list of activities you and your kids can do inside the house.

Halloween and fall coloring pictures

If you have a printer and crayons or markers, you're all set for an inexpensive activity.

The following websites (along with about 100 other ones on the web!) have a number of free Halloween coloring pages to print. Under the "Holidays" section, you'll find some Thanksgiving and Halloween pages. You'll find pumpkins, turkeys, pilgrims, autumn leafs... pretty much any fall-themed coloring page you could want!

http://www.coloring-page.net/coloring.html

http://www.coloring.ws/holidays.htm

If you don't find what you are looking for, just "Image Google" the words "Halloween coloring pages" and you'll probably find it!

If you are planning a thanksgiving dinner with a number of kids, you can pre-print 2-3 designs per kid and have the kids' table all ready with markers and crayons.

Halloween Crafts - using their hands

There are about a thousand different fall or Halloween crafts you can do with your kids. Depending on the age of your kids, you can find something that will be interesting and challenging to them.

One thing that is always fun for my toddler is tracing his hands and making something out of it. Here are a few examples that are really easy to do - depending on the age, you might have to help a little or a lot!

Decorate for Halloween and Fall

Where younger kids love to help, older ones like to create.

If you have a toddler, get him/her to help you stick things on the windows, put spiders in the webs, draw on paper pumpkins, etc.

For older kids, give them a budget and let them go loose at the dollar store, Michael's (don't forget your 40%-50% coupons!), or any other decorating store. Then step back and let them create - you might be surprised!

Making a center-piece for Thanksgiving dinner

Are you planning on having some guests over for Thanksgiving? If yes, then spend one of those rainy days making a center-piece for the table.

You can go online and choose an elaborate design or simply use candles (or your uncarved pumpkin) and decorate it with leafs, arranged on a platter. Kids can help by making (out of black cardboard) a smiley face for one side and a scary face for the other.

Leaf rubbings

Here's something to do with those leafs the kids picked out when the weather was nicer...

Peel the label off a few crayons (go for fall colors - brown, orange, red, yellow). Place a white sheet of paper on top of a few leafs. Get your kids to rub the crayon horizontally on the paper over the leafs.

Cook / Bake

There are a few recipes out there where kids can help by pouring ingredients or stirring. Give my son a wooden spoon to stir a soup and he's in heaven!

Kids as young as 2 can actively help you when cooking or baking. Just keep them a safe distance from the stove or electric appliances.

Making Leafs Placemats

Take those leafs you picked up a few days/weeks before. Arrange them in different patterns on a sheet of wax paper (leafs on the waxed side). Place another sheet (wax-on-wax) and iron with your clothes iron, on a low setting.

Build a fort

Channel your inner kid and build a fort for your kid(s). Use blankets, boxes, cushions, tents, etc. Get them to help you make it and, why not, have lunch in it with your kids (provided it's big enough!!!).

Whether inside or outside, there is plenty of thing to do with the kids. We just have to stop being an adult for a few hours and take the time to have fun with them!

Outdoor Fall Activities with Children

I know it's getting chilly outside, but there are weeks of outdoor fun left before winter really takes a stand.

I've compiled a list of different activities you can do with you kids so you can all enjoy the few weeks of nice weather left.

Pumpkin patch

This is one of my favorite things to do. I love going there with the kids, walking around to pick my pumpkins (yes, I'm one of those people that get more than one pumpkin!!). My toddler gets to pick smaller pumpkins that I let him paint. The rest, until carved, is used for decoration inside and outside the house.

If you are lucky enough to live close to a large pumpkin patch, they might also have other items such as gourds, hay bails, fall mums, fresh vegetables and even activities for the kids.

This website has a long list of pumpkin patches in Ontario:
http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/CAONpumpkins.php#Eastern

With such great colors around, it's a great time for a photo session too!

Apple picking

I think the reason I like apple picking is because there HAS to be baking involved after. With kids, it becomes an activity outside where they can run around and get some fresh air.

In the Ottawa region, you have Pinewood Orchards (http://www.pinewoodorchards.com/), Kilmarnoc Orchard (http://www.kilmarnockorchard.ca/), and MANY others. If you prefer to go a little south of Ottawa, you'll also find Hall's Apple Market (http://www.hallsapplemarket.com/) in the Brockville area.

A lot of them will also have baked goods and cider for sale. Mmmmm....

Leaf picking and Raking leafs

As this might not interest the older kids (they'll know it's actual work!), bringing the kids outside while you rake the leafs on the yard is another way for them to get entertained for free! ;)

In the middle of jumping in the leaf piles, get them to set aside a few "nice" leafs. Keep them in a thick book (preferably a dictionary or a phone book), maybe later, you can find some craft activities where you need leafs!

Activity centers around Ottawa

Many farm have adapted their properties and made them family centers. Places like Saunder's farm (http://www.saundersfarm.com/ - a little on the expensive side) and the Valley View

Little Animal Farm (http://www.vvlittleanimalfarm.com/ - fairly priced) make for a great day outside.

If you kids are older, you can also have some "motorized" fun at places like Vanridge ATV Tours and Trails (http://www.vanridgeatvtrails.com/). However, call ahead to make sure you children are old enough to ride with you.

The first website of this post also lists a number of places where you can go in your area.

With the nice colors, how about a nice photo session?

If you are talented in photography or know someone who is, the fall colors are the prefect background to gorgeous pictures. An outside photo session might turn out better than any other you've ever had!

Make a Scarecrow

Using old clothes, stuff it with leafs or hay. Use a plastic or real pumpkin or a bag filled with leafs for the head. Once finished, the easier way to display it is to sit it in a patio chair.

It's a great decoration for Halloween night too!

The Last Picnic

OK, it's getting cold, but it's no reason to stay inside!

So, how about a day at the park where your kids spent the whole summer? Most coolers or lunch bags will also keep your food warm, so pack a Thermos of soup or chili, a few gingerbread cookies, and another Thermos for... what else? HOT CHOCOLATE!

Have fun this fall, and stay safe!