Community Corner

Creative Alternatives to Pumpkin Carving [VIDEO]

Pumpkin carving can be fun for the whole family, but if the kids are too young to handle knives, here are some creative ways to get them in on the action.

Written by Julia Halewicz

If the thought of carving pumpkins with little ones around sounds daunting (and dangerous), ditch the sharp tools in favor of glue, glitter and any other crafting items you have around for a pumpkin decorating session. Whether you're hosting a play date or just trying to distract the kids before the town parade, everyone will enjoy this stress-free activity. Check out the video above for great ideas on how to dress up your pumpkins. And if you're curious about what type of pumpkins are best for decorating, see below for more helpful information:

The Best Pumpkins to Paint

You can paint any kind of pumpkin, but you'll want to start with a bump-free canvas. Since pumpkins often have ribbing, smooth-skin varieties like Orange Smoothie, Cotton Candy and Lumina are your best bets.

Cinderella pumpkins are also great for decorating. These heirloom pumpkins hail from France and are commonly referred to as Rouge vif d'Etampes. The scarlet squash is what the artist who drew Cinderella's coach used as a model. Not only are they great for decor, but they also make delicious pies.

If you want to eat any of these pumpkins after the kids have decorated them, be sure to use non-toxic paint. (Acrylic, latex and puff paint will all stick to your squash.) Use black spray paint for a spooky base, or try a gold metallic spray paint for an elegant spin. 

This article is part of Mix It Up, an editorial series created in collaboration with AOL's Kitchen Daily and Huffington Post. It is dedicated to making the lives of mothers easier through articles, videos and slideshows focused on simple and creative solutions to everyday challenges. From healthy recipes to exciting ideas for a more balanced lifestyle, this section aims to become a resource for moms everywhere. 


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