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Encouraging Heroes. You can be one too.

(Editor’s note: we’re into fall already! Chris has an easy craft for us to enjoy with our kiddos. Thanks Chris!)

For a craft that makes Halloween fun, there’s nothing like pumpkin carving. This craft is neat in that you can build a happy pumpkin and hang it the wall or your door. Even better, it’s 3-D! It is made out of construction paper and stuffed with newspaper.

This stuffed pumpkin is fun to create and will give your child an opportunity to work on sewing skills. The yarn and tape “needle” used for this project will allow your child to have a safe and easy sewing experience.

You will need:

  • Construction paper (orange and black)
  • Newspaper
  • Yarn (orange or white)
  • Hole Punch
  • Tape

pumpkin craft

1. Use orange construction paper to cut out two identical pumpkin shapes at least 15 inches wide. Use your hole punch to make holes about 1 ½ inches apart around the perimeter of the pumpkin.

2. Wrap a bit of tape tightly around the end of your yarn to make a “needle” with a slightly pointed end. Thread the yarn through the holes, and help your child to sew the two sides of the pumpkin together halfway. Then stuff the pumpkin gently with newspaper and sew it together the rest of the way.

pumpkin craft stuffed

3. Cut the yarn, leaving enough string to tie a bow. Cut the pumpkins eyes, nose and mouth out of black construction paper. Cut out four 1 ½ inch by 15 inch strips of orange construction paper for the arms and legs. Glue the construction paper eyes, nose and mouth onto the pumpkin. Fold the arms and legs into an according fold and glue them onto the pumpkin.

The pumpkin can be attached to the wall with stick pins or hung from the ceiling with yarn. You can also draw an outline of your child’s hands on construction paper. Then cut them out and glue them onto the ends of the pumpkin’s arms. For the pumpkins feet your child can draw shoes using crayons and construction paper. The cut the shoes out and glue them to the pumpkins legs.

Have a great Halloween, and not too much sugar!

Chris is a stay-at-home Dad of two girls. They all love making crafts together, and always save old yarn, egg cartons and paper rolls for some future project. Chris also edits a Halloween decor site at Halloweenalliance.com. You can view more fun kids Halloween crafts here.

Earnest Parenting: tips for parents who want to do fall crafts with their kids.