Did you know that the beginnings of Halloween date back two thousand years ago to the Celtic festival of the dead. The Celts believed that the souls of the dead came back to earth on the night before November 1. The tradition of celebrating of Halloween spread across Europe in the seventh century. It began with “All Hallows Eve”, also known as the “Night of the Dead”. Halloween is immediately followed by “All Souls Day”, a Christian holy day.

The first illuminated fruits were carved out of gourds and turnips. Frightening features were carved into the gourds and glowing coals or embers were placed into the interiors to light them so they would glow eerily. It was believed this would ward off evil spirits, especially those spirits who haunted the lanes and fields during All Hallows Eve or Halloween.

Nowadays we celebrate Halloween on 31 October. Traditional customs include trick-or-treating, Halloween costume parties and pumpkin carving. However, traditional pumpkin carving is messy and dangerous, involving as it does, sharp knives, tough gourds and slippery pumpkin seeds. Over the years teachers, scout troop leaders and parents alike have often wondered how to make the most of the prize pumpkin that was chosen by a child.

Pumpkin Painting is the perfect solution to this creative problem! Painting funny or scary faces or other designs is a fun, yet comparatively easy activity for all family members to enjoy. Preschool age children can even join in developing their own designs for their pumpkins. There’s no way you can say that about carving pumpkins!

Painting your Halloween Pumpkin is a very economical idea as most supplies are readily available (you probably already have some of these in your home)They include Washable markers, acrylic craft paints, newspaper,spray sealer and other items such as raffia, jewelry, hats, etc.

Once you or your children have decorated their first pumpkin, you’ll probably want to paint an entire row of pumpkins to show off at your home, and a new family tradition will have begun.