By Spramani

Fall pumpkin craft painting project

This fall consider the delightful art of pumpkin painting as an alternative to the traditional pumpkin carving. This beloved pumpkin painting project has become an annual favorite in my art classes, adored by kids of all ages. All you require are a pumpkin, some vibrant acrylic paints, a handful of basic supplies, and a suitable space for painting. What makes this project truly special is that it’s accessible to kids of every age, including toddlers.

Best pumpkin to paint

You can use pumpkins of any size for your painting endeavor – from the grandest to the tiniest, like the charming Jack-be-little variety. When you pick out your pumpkin at the store, make sure to opt for one without any blemishes. A pumpkin with minimal blemishes or bruising will remain intact throughout the entire fall season, ensuring it doesn’t start rotting prematurely.

Wash Pumpkin

Before you start painting your pumpkin, you should gently wash with soap and water. Let pumpkin completely dry before applying paint.

Painting Supplies:

• Smock
• Paints
• Paintbrushes
• Water Jar
• Paper Towels
• Palette
• Newsprint

A smock or apron cover-up will protect clothes from getting paint on them. The best paints for painting a pumpkin is acrylic paint. Acrylic craft paint last long and dries well. But tempra can work if that is all you have. Use a variety of different paintbrushes sizes. Have a water jar for cleaning paintbrushes out and near. Having paper towels, napkins or a rags handy is good for quick clean-ups . A palette can help hold your paints, if you don’t have one a paper plate will work just fine. And finally newsprint or a drop cloth to work on top of or keeping paint stains off other surfaces.

Prepare a pumpkin painting space

Painting a pumpkin can be a very messy project if you don’t prepare ahead of time. Here are my tips for setting-up a pumpkin painting space:

Plan to paint in a space were it can get messy like a backyard or patio, and you wont worry about spills so much. Be sure to work on a flat sturdy table that can hold your pumpkins weigh. The pumpkin should be at eye level to paint, and be easy to reach around the whole pumpkin. Painting on the ground works fine.

Use the newsprint or a drop cloth to cover up work area. Dress in clothes that can get messy like a smock or cover up to protect clothes from stains.Let your pumpkin dry between coats of colors.When working with kids always use only safe non-toxic acrylic paints for kids.

Cool Pumpkin Facts

• Pumpkins change colors like orange, yellow, green and even sometimes red.

•  The name pumpkin gets its great unique name from the greek word “pepon” which means large melon.

• Pumpkins are a fruit, but when cooked are considered a veggie.

• Last year I actually seen with my own eyes a pumpkin that weighed 1,928 pounds!

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