Halloween inspires all kinds of activities to do with your

toddler, especially pumpkin fun! Visiting the pumpkin patch

together, shopping for (or making) Halloween costumes, and

decorating the house. But one of the best Halloween activities

is doing art projects together.

Here are two very simple pumpkin crafts that every toddler will

enjoy. Prepare for the activity in advance, so your little ball

of energy can dive right in.

Simple Paper Jack-o-Lantern

There's nothing at all fancy about this idea. Simply cut a few

pumpkins out of orange construction paper. Then, cut several

triangles and a few big goofy grins out of either black or

yellow paper. Lastly, cut a stem shape and leaves out of green

or brown paper.

Present the pieces to your toddler along with a glue stick and

watch his creativity. Consider framing this work of art with

some photos of your child at the pumpkin patch.

You'll treasure those three-eyed jack-o-lanterns years from

now.

Pumpkin Painting

Oftentimes younger children miss out on the fun of

jack-o-lanterns, because they obviously are too young to handle

a knife. A toddler can scoop pumpkin guts, and draw a face onto

a pumpkin, but then the rest must be handed over to an adult

for the actual carving.

Here's a safer option. Pumpkin Painting. Think of how much fun

your toddler or preschooler will have designing a pumpkin from

beginning to end. And, don't stop with pumpkins. Paint gourds,

too. Simply put an old t-shirt on your toddler, get out

non-toxic paints, head outside so you don’t have to worry about

the mess and he'll go to town.

Spending art time with your toddler is not difficult and

doesn't need to be challenging. Just give him age-appropriate

tools, grab your camera, and relax. Your child will feel

cherished, and you'll begin a tradition of making memories

together.

Watch out Picasso. There's a new artist in town.