Jar-O-Lanterns & Tummy Bones

As promised, here are some easy Halloween themed ideas that your whole family will enjoy!

I want to explain how much I loved doind the Jar-O-Lantern craft with my daughter! I actually make it my husband's job to 'gut' an actual pumpkin, because there is something I can't stand about sticking my entire arm into a gooey, slimy anything! Here is a craft that can be done with the whole family, with no knives involved.

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Jar-O-Lantern

Items you will need:

Clean Glass Jars (Mason, spaghetti, or pickle jars, etc.)

Orange acrylic paint

Plastic lid (margarine lid, etc.)

Craft paint brushes or small foam brushes

Masking tape (1 1/2 inch width works best to design from)

Child's apron or 'play' clothing (to prevent ruined clothing)

Newspapers or drop cloth (to prevent ruined everything else)

Flame-less candles

Directions:

Start off by dressing your child in an apron or other craft clothing, as they will most likely get a little paint on themselves. Next, put down a drop cloth or newspaper on your working area. Cut out shapes(adults only) or tear pieces from the masking tape to use as a eyes, nose, and a mouth. Place them onto the glass jar to resemble a jack-o-lantern.

Then, put a little of the orange paint onto the plastic lid and have your child paint the outside of the jar. When they get most of the jar covered, they can stick their hand in the jar to finish painting. Try not to paint the very bottom of the jar so it can be set down with minimal mess. Allow the paint to dry completely.

When dry, carefully peel up a corner of the masking tape to reveal the jar's face. Place a flame-less candle in the jar and watch your kids light up, too!

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Ingredients:

(all are approximate, add more or less depending on need)

36 pretzel sitcks

16 oz meltable vanilla candy wafers

72 mini-marshmallows

Melt candy wafers slowly in a wide bowl of a double boiler (or place bowl or sauce pan in a pot of heated water) and stir frequently until wafers are completely melted. While you are waiting, take the pretzel sticks and break them so you have various lengths. For each bone, press marshmallows' flat sides parellel to the prezel. Dip each pretzel into the melted candy to coat it. Lift out with a fork, letting the excess drip back into the bowl/sauce pan. Place the bone onto a sheet of waxed paper to cool and set. If you want 'thicker' bones, repeat dipping process after bones have cooled. Enjoy!!

These were both so much fun to make. I hope this gives you a few ideas for safe things to do with your children this Halloween!

Yours ghoulishly,

Leslie Marin
The Pioneer Mom

www.myearthmonkeys-lesliemarin.com