Build Your Own Jack-O'-Lantern

I created this at home with my 3-year-old son as a fun craft project that we could enjoy together. When finished, the homemade jack o'lantern can be lit from within using a small flameless candle. You could simply spray paint the jug orange after cutting out your shapes, but the paper mache' is fun to do with children and it allows you a bit more control with the overall shape.

1.Using an old clean milk jug mark out the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. for cutting just as you would with a regular pumpkin. I would suggest using a side away from the handle. With mine I chose to place the nose directly on one of the edges of the plastic carton.

2.You can cut out the features using a small kitchen knife (which is what I did), or you can use an x-acto knife for greater precision. I also used scissors to refine the cutouts. Also make sure to cut off the top of the jug, just as you would with a real pumpkin.

3.Next prepare the items you will use for paper mache'. Newspaper is typical but since I didn't have any handy, I found that the white pages of an old phone book worked equally well. My son enjoyed helping me tear the pieces into strips approximately 1-2 inches in width and 6-8 inches in length.

4.In an old dishpan I mixed together approximately ¼ a cup of glue to ¼ a cup of water. Elmer's or other water based glue works well for this.

5.Add the strips to the mix, turning them to coat with the glue.

6.Begin smoothing the strips onto your jug. If you have difficulty getting them to stick, try wrapping the ends around some of the cut edges. Keep building the strips outward. I chose to eliminate the handle by draping the paper over it like a bridge. I also created a fuller cheek surface by placing wadded bits of paper under the areas I wished to build up.

7.After the entire surface is covered leave the jug to dry. Dry time will depend on your environment due to air temperature and humidity, but you can speed up the process by placing it in front of a fan.

8.After drying is complete you may paint your pumpkin as you wish. I would recommend tempera or poster paint for small children. If you wish to make the tempera paint permanent you can spray the jug later with a clear coat finish.

My son enjoyed the painting as well, he added some nice accents to the top of the pumpkin. Make sure to add some lines from top to bottom to help describe the surface of the pumpkin. I used my fingertip to add the touches of white to the eyes and teeth. I also used some lighter tones of orange near the middle of the pumpkin to help make the form feel more rounded.