family activities
Pumpkin Carving 101
Experts share tips and tricks for carving jack-o’-lanterns with kids
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lanning to carve a pumpkin with your kids for Halloween but not sure where to start? Follow these easy pumpkin-carving tips from the pros: Michael Natiello, master carver and creative director of The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Westchester County and Long Island, and Thomas Olton, from Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns on Long Island.
PICK THE PERFECT PUMPKIN
There are two ways to approach it. You either have a design in mind and find a pumpkin that suits the design, or you choose your favorite pumpkin and let it ‘speak’ to you. For example, if a pumpkin looks like Frankenstein’s monster, carve it into Frankenstein’s monster. • When choosing your pumpkin, look for one that is without bruises, is evenly colored, and isn’t moldy or rotten. Check the bottom for rot and tap gently to hear a firm, hollow sound. • The lighter the pumpkin’s skin, the softer the pumpkin will be, thus the easier to carve. However, lighter-skinned pumpkins may not last as long after carving. • Choose a pumpkin with a smooth, flat face, with shallow ridges and few of them. Never carry your pumpkin by the stem. • If it’s heavy, that’s a good sign. If it’s light, it probably has been sitting around a while, so it will be shriveled up or dried out. It’s like picking an apple—you want the freshest fruit.
DESIGNING YOUR JACK-O’-LANTERN
A good rule of thumb is larger and simpler shapes are best for younger kids. As the shapes get smaller and more complicated, it’s going to take someone a little older with a little more skill. With just a quick Internet search, you can find numerous stencils
20 October 2021 • siparent.com
that will help bring your child’s favorite characters to life on a pumpkin. If you decide you want to create your own image, you’ll still want to draw it on paper first. You can then transfer your drawing onto the pumpkin and ensure it looks good before carving. Most people will tape a picture onto the pumpkin and trace it out by making tiny holes in the skin of the pumpkin with a small pin along the outlines. When you peel the paper off, you will have dotted lines that make up your image. Another method is to rub the back of the piece of paper with a piece of charcoal to make it completely black. Tape the paper on the pumpkin, charcoal-side down, and then trace the image with a ballpoint pen. That will leave a pencil copy of your image.
PUMPKIN CARVING TOOLS
Exacto knives are great for carving pumpkins. People think it’s too dangerous to use very sharp knives, but a sharp knife used carefully is a lot safer than a dull knife you must force through the pumpkin. You can also use commercially available pumpkin saws, which are found in pumpkin carving tool kits in stores this time of year. If small children are going to take part in the carving, you’ll want to find these tools. Want to get a little more creative? Go through your junk drawer.
