Grow Jack-o-Lanterns

Did you know that you can grow a jack-o-lantern from a pumpkin seed?  Sounds magical, doesn't it?  This activity was inspired by the time that we grew candy canes.  Younger children will simply be in awe as long as you don't tell them the "secret".  Are you ready to see how we grew jack-o-lanterns from pumpkin seeds?

 

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HOW TO GROW A JACK-O-LANTERN FROM PUMPKIN SEEDS

Materials

• Pumpkin seeds
• Pumpkins 
• Carving tools
• A sharpie

Method

• You will want to begin with plain pumpkin seeds.

• You can buy pumpkin seeds or clean a pumpkin and rinse the seeds with this purpose in mind.  Have kids draw jack-o-lantern faces on the seeds using a black sharpie.  Be sure to take note of what faces they draw. 

• Then, head outside and plant those seeds in the ground.  We planted our pumpkin seeds exactly where we wanted our jack-o-lanterns to be for the season.

• Have kids water the seeds.  Then, head inside and go about the day.

GROWING JACK-O-LANTERNS

• While the kids are sleeping it's time for the parents to make the "magic" happen.  Carve pumpkins, using the faces the children drew on the seeds as a guide.

• Then, head outside and stick the jack-o-lanterns over the corresponding, planted seeds.

• When the kids wake up they will be amazed to discover that they grew jack-o-lanterns overnight from nothing more than a seed!

Rosie and Jewel loved this activity when they were little, and they still enjoy the magic of it now.  If you have kids at home definitely give this bit of autumn fun a try!

PRO TIP:
You can make this activity even more magical by incorporating mini pumpkins along the way. 

• First, have kids wake to discover a mini pumpkin where their seed was planted.
• Have them wake the next day to discover the baby pumpkin has a "face".

• Then, carve a regular-sized pumpkin while they are sleeping, and watch them be amazed!

Don't have pumpkin seeds?  

Try this activity using "jelly bean seeds" instead.  Plant, water, and be amazed!

Extend the Fun

• Grow a bean in-a-jar.
• Grow your own Easter grass.
• Grow salt crystals using science.
• Grow an avocado tree.
• Grow lollipops!

MORE PUMPKIN ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

• Make pumpkin slime.
• Experiment with erupting pumpkins.
• Make glowing pumpkin jars.
• Turn oranges into pumpkins.
• Use real pumpkin to make play dough.
• Play with pumpkin moon sand.
• Make puffy pumpkin paint.
• Dye pumpkin seeds for fall crafting.
• Make pumpkin seeds that glow-in-the-dark.
• Give these pumpkin activities for kids a try.

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