Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Pumpkin-Patch Creatures

Use vegetables for the pumpkin creature's facial features (such as gourds for eyes, dried cockscomb for brains, raffia for hair, and radishes for the nose). Attach facial features with a hot glue gun, toothpicks, or straight pins.

Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Pumpkin Bird Feeder

For a seasonal supplement to your regular bird feeder, cut a 3- to 5-pound pumpkin in half; scoop out, leaving a 1/2-inch thick wall. Cut a 1/2-inch-deep groove in the rim for pumpkin seeds. For perches, poke holes and insert twigs. To hang, knot two lengths of twine together in center; tack knot to feeder bottom. Fill with birdseed.

Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes

Since they are topped with cream-cheese frosting and miniature marzipan pumpkins, you might not realize these Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes are nutritious. Pumpkins are loaded with good stuff -- vitamins A and B, iron, potassium, protein, fiber -- and are low in fat and sodium.

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Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Pumpkin Seed Necklace

What to do with leftover pumpkin seeds? String them into a pretty necklace. Scoop out a pumpkin and place the seeds and pulp in a bowl of water. The seeds will quickly separate from the fibers and float to the top. Remove seeds and rinse them, then place them, in a single layer, on a paper towel or cookie sheet. Let dry at room temperature 6 to 8 hours. Do not let seeds dry too long before stringing them, as they will become brittle and hard to work with. Thread a sewing needle with silk beading cord, and pierce seeds, stringing them in the patterns shown at top (tie knots in between for spaces) or your own. Knot cord.

Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Pumpkin Pudding

We used jack-be-littles, but any type of small pumpkin can be used in this recipe.

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Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Creepy Candy Containers

Transform a pumpkin into candy holders with looks that could chill, and they can play a crucial role as keepers of the goodies. To make monstrous mugs, your little goblins can get creative with -- what else? -- candy! Chewy treats are easy to bend and snip, and they stay in place with ball-head straight pins (choose ones that match the color of the treats so they aren't too noticeable). For hard candy, attach pieces with hot glue.

Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Wise Owl Pumpkin

Hoot's there? A wise owl, created out of two miniature pumpkins!

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Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Talking Pumpkin

Eeek -- it's alive! Make a jack-o'-lantern talk using an old baby monitor.

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Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Cat Candy Container

Adults can use a serrated knife to saw open the top and thin out the rim -- then let kids get creative by creating a creepy cat with licorice whiskers and ears and yellow gumdrop eyes.

Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Witch Candy Container

Fiends brimming with candy (held in a glass bowl) give a hint of what's going on in their heads. With her green licorice locks, this witch thinks she's gourd-geous -- but we think she's full of (jelly) beans! Use black licorice, jelly beans, gumdrops, and a peanut shell to complete her look.

Pumpkin Projects for Kids

Candy Character

Set an intact pumpkin atop a clear, candy-filled container, then give kids an assortment of candy for decorating. This character sports pearly white mini marshmallows for teeth, a construction paper hat with a hole cut out for the stem, and black licorice eyes.