Pumpkin Painting for Halloween

With fall comes harvest and when this special season is mentioned, most children (and adults as well) identify pumpkins with fall. The following craft is not only an easy one to complete but is a craft that kids of all ages can participate in and enjoy not just in the fall but all year round as well.

Pre-planning for this craft is simple. If you are working with a large group, request a t shirt to be sent for each child or supply them yourself charging a small fee if need be for supplies. When done as a community group project oftentimes adding a "materials fee" is the way to go to ensure uniform results.

Many types of groups would enjoy this craft. Small groups of individuals from school classes, summer camps, girl scouts and even groups with "adopted grandparents" will enjoy this craft. And if used with "grandparents" it is easy to alter to craft by making tote bags for the participants if they aren't t-shirt types. Totes are always useful and many older crafters appreciate the work put into them by their favorite youngster!

Materials needed:

Paint shirt to protect clothing

White t-shirt (one for each child) (or tote bag....your choice)

Cardboard (cut the width of the t shirt)

Masking tape

Sponge - one per child (any size...but the larger works best) this can be pre-cut in pumpkin shapes or one can pre-purchase pumpkin shaped craft sponges.
either way works for this craft but for a craft that is truly personal, use hand-cut pumpkin shapes of all sizes and shapes.

Foam plate for each child (NOT paper, it leaks)

Orange fabric paint... Plan for approximately 3-5 children per bottle

Green fabric paint ....plan for 5-8 children per bottle Puffy paint works great for this if you can locate it.!

Fabric markers or Sharpies (permanent markers)

Iron

Directions:

Place the cardboard in the shirt to separate the front from the back.

Write each child's initials on the tag of the t shirt or inside collar for easy identification later.

Fold the sleeves to the back of the shirt and secure with masking tape. This keeps the rest of the shirt out of the way while you paint.

Pour a small amount of paint in each plate (begin with orange).

Draw on sponge the shape of a pumpkin and cut out (or have this pre-cut for younger students).

Dip the sponge into the orange paint and dab pumpkin shape or shapes on the front of the shirt. Keeping space in between each pumpkin will allow you to add leaves and vines with the green puffy paint and add details later with fabric markers.

Let the shirts dry after painting the orange pumpkins for at least 24 hours. Do NOT remove the cardboard from inside the shirts.

After the pumpkin shapes on the shirts dry, add your own quote such as "Penny's Pumpkin patch" or other cute saying under the line of pumpkins.

Add leaves with puffy paint and details with sharpie (if green sharpie can be found, this is perfect as it is easy for the smallest of hands to master)

Note: If puffy paint was used, turn shirts inside out and iron over the puffy paint part. Turn carefully right side out and let cool. This part is for adults or responsible teen use only. Children should NEVER use an iron. Safety first when using such an appliance.

When finished enjoy your hard work! Praise the children and their creativity and remember to use this craft as the perfect time to mention that while all pumpkin shirts are not the same, neither are people. But with the unique qualities the pumpkins (and people) have, the world is more interesting. Discuss how boring it would be if all the shirts were exactly the same and if people were all the same too.

Finally. Encourage children to all don their shirts on the same day. Pose them for a picture with any other pumpkin crafts they may have completed. Post the images to a classroom bulletin board or send in emails to parents. It's a great craft that lasts far longer than traditional paper pumpkins and the images are great
hallmarks in a child's life.

Some examples of pumpkin pattern ideas and shapes for sponges are:
(remember, these patterns can easily be resized for your convenience.)

A great example of a pumpkin/ jack o lantern (this is intended for a craft much larger than a shirt but can easily be downsized)

simple small pumpkin

jack o lantern shape

pumkin shape/ jack o lantern