Another one of the center activities for my son's class party: Pin the Face on the Pumpkin. So simple and classic that I wonder why I needed the internet to think of it.
But to be fair, this site reminded me how to play.
Showing posts with label Pumpkins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pumpkins. Show all posts
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 15, 2009
15 Minutes : Play It : Hide The Mini Pumpkin
image via google
Do your kids love hide-and-seek and hot-and-cold games? Mine do. This season make your game a little more festive by hiding one of the mini pumpkins you have hanging around. This is a great activity for toddlers to work on their listening skills.
Friday, October 9, 2009
1 Hour : Make It : Paper Pumpkin Ornament
Came across this cute kid friendly Halloween craft from three wheels turning, a paper and design company. Now these were the types of projects I was making when I was in elementary school. Maybe that's why I love them so much.
Click here for the directions.
Monday, November 24, 2008
15 Minutes : Know It : Thanksgiving Food
Image via marthastewart.com
In a survey conducted by the National Turkey Federation, nearly 88 percent of Americans said they eat turkey at Thanksgiving. The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds, which means some 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the U.S. during Thanksgiving in 2007.
The cranberry is one of only three fruits—the others are the blueberry and the Concord grape—that are entirely native to North American soil, according to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust.
More interesting facts at history.com.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
15 Minutes : Make It : Pumpkin Soup Tureen
image via kitchenlink.comI love eating soup when the weather turns cold and can't wait to try serving my next batch in a pumpkin soup tureen.
I'm going to try the directions found here except I probably won't bake the pumpkin quite as long. I think the kids will get a kick out of helping me clean and bake an entire pumpkin but I'm sure our favorite part will be enjoying the presentation. It's not everyday you get to eat soup out of a pumpkin.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
1 Hour : Make It : Pumpkin Pancakes and Apple Spice Syrup
The first time I ever tried pumpkin pancakes I was in college and I've been hooked ever since.
Go on, try them for yourself. You'll see what I mean.
Pumpkin Pancakes
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
recipe via allrecipes.com
And for those of you that are not too hot on the make-it-from-scratch recipe, here is a short-cut just for you:
Simplified Recipe:
2 1/2 Cup Aunt Jemima Original Pancake Mix (or any pancake mix)
3 TBS brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 egg, 1 3/4 cup milk
2 TBS vegetable oil
2 TBS vinegar
1 cup pumpkin puree.
Continue following directions as listed above.
What are pumpkin pancakes without Apple Spice syrup:
Apple Spice Syrup
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 tbsp corn starch (heaped)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 TBSP lemon juice
2 cups apple cider (not juice)
1/4 c. butter
Mix dry ingredients, then add apple cider and lemon juice. Bring to a boil for 1 minute, turn to low and add butter.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
1 Hour : Make It : Glow-in-the-Dark Bags
Safety during the dark night of trick-or-treating is always a concern for any parent. This year, along with basic safety instructions, we're making glow-in-the-dark bags to collect all our goodies and give us just one more advantage of being seen in the dark.
I chose to buy dollar bags at Michaels and we'll paint them with sayings, pumpkins, ghosts and bats. If you're not looking to get new bags you can easily paint over existing fabric bags or plastic tubs. While your at it, talk to your children about how important it is that other people and especially cars see them during this hallowed night.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
1 Hour : Make It : Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
This recipe is one of my favorites come Fall time. It's also a great one to involve the kids...even the little ones. Everyone can help! There's nothing technical just opening, pouring and stirring. With only three ingredients it's hard to mess this one up.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1-box Spice cake mix
1-15oz canned pumpkin
1/2 bag mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Spoon drop cookies on greased pan. Make 12-15 minutes or until done (depending on how big your cookies are - I like mine big).
Suggestion: Try this same recipe in a bread pan for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bread...yum yum!
Monday, October 20, 2008
1 Hour : Make It : Leaf Luminarias
Really not looking forward to carving pumpkins again this year but would love to have the welcoming candle light outside? Give these leaf luminarias a try....your kids will love the misting paint.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
15 Minutes : Play It : Pumpkin Seed Hide 'n Seek
This activity is great for preschoolers and young school children. They are able to imagine and identify objects that they are touching, but not seeing. Pour 2-3 cups of pumpkin seeds into a paper bag. Collect about 10 small items, such as marbles, buttons, closed safety pins, hairclips, rubber bands, paper clips, etc., and put them into the bag as well. Ask your child to find all the items just by feeling. Before she pulls one out, ask her if she knows what it is without looking.
Variation: Put a combination of pumpkin seeds and dry beans into a bowl and see if your child can separate them with her eyes closed.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
15 Minutes : Read It : The Runaway Pumpkin
The catchy, rollicking rhythm of this rhyming story holds the interest of my little ones and has them giggling--and even reciting the words--by the end. The illustrations are kooky without being ridiculous, and have a warm autumn feel about them. Great for all ages because it is not a bit spooky or scary.
15 Minutes : Know It : Pumpkins
Help your kids select the best pumpkin to carve with these tips from Real Simple.
- Examine the rind. It should be firm, uniform in color, and free of cuts, bruises, and blemishes.
- Make sure that the stem doesn’t look brown and dry. And don’t use the stem as a handle, since even a healthy one can break off. Pick up a pumpkin by its base instead.
- Give the pumpkin a knock. A thumping sound means the pumpkin is solid, with no internal defects, rot, or soft spots.
Monday, October 6, 2008
1 Hour : Make It : Painted Pumpkin
Last year our garden pumpkin was gargantuan (they don’t label them “prize winning” for nothing). It was so large that I knew there was no way I was going to carve it so instead I painted a fall message on it. The result was exactly what I wanted for my front porch and the best part was it lasted all the way through Thanksgiving.
The process is simple:
- Have your kids help you choose a design or saying and print it off your computer.
- Tape the paper to the pumpkin and trace over it with a pen or pencil – this is a great step for grade school age.
- Use a paint pen (from any craft store) in your desired color and paint over your traced design.
- Use any all-purpose sealer and sponge brush to seal in your handy work so the weather can’t wash it away.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
1 Hour : Make It : Candy Creatures
These candy creatures from Martha Stewart are a great project to make with your kids. Make them as creative or scary as you like. Wrap them in cellophane to give as Halloween gifts or place in a vase (try a small hollowed out pumpkin) to use as a fun decorative display your kids will enjoy all during the month of October.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
15 Minutes : Make It : Pumpkin Smoothie
Introducing new tastes and smells is especially fun (and even important) for a small child.
I'm going to give this drink a try.
If you're not a fan of pumpkin or don't think your child is ready for the strong taste omit the pumpkin. ooooh and when it's egg nog season just sprinkle in a little nutmeg.
Pumpkin Smoothie
They called it a shake but skim milk isn't my idea of a shake so I'm changing it to smoothie
4 oz chilled canned pumpkin
1 1/2 cups cold skim milk
8 teaspoons sugar (or sweetner substitute)
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine all ingredients in a blender.
Makes 2 servings
recipe via recipezaar.com
photo via marthastewart.com
Now if you are really wanting a shake just go on and add a few scoops of ice cream. I won't tell!
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