Fall Kids’ Craft: Stuffed Paper Jack-o-Lantern

A craft doesn’t have to be elaborate and take hours to be fun and turn out super cute! This easy fall kids’ craft is one that your kiddo can make in about 15 minutes. Or they can decide to add more decorations and details and spend a little bit more time with this project. It is totally up to them. I am giving you a place to start here. What you do with it from there is totally up to you. Also, there is no rule saying that your jack-o-lantern has to be orange. If your kiddo’s favorite color is purple, have at it! Really, just let them be themselves and create without boundaries. That is how learning and growing truly happens (not to mention fun)!

Speaking of fun…don’t miss out on the fall family fun night challenge that is currently going on at “In the Bag Kids’ Crafts”. Each Monday, get the details sent to your inbox, along with a printable for the week (only available to my subscribers). I am giving you everything that you need for an interactive, low prep, high fun night together as a family, doing something other than looking at a communal screen (not that there is anything wrong with that…we had lots of fun family movie nights at our house, but this gives you the chance to mix it up). Every week includes a simple project to MAKE, activity to PLAY, and SNACK to share. Check out the weeks that have already been posted: WEEK 1, WEEK 2, WEEK 3.

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

• 2 Pieces orange construction paper
• Stapler with staples
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Orange and black markers
• Scraps of yellow and green construction paper
• Newspaper
• Glue stick

I truly believe that crafting with your kids is one of the best things that you can do. When kids’ hands are busy, their hearts and mouths are open. They share more (especially our boys) and are open to conversation. Plus, they are strengthening their brains, their fingers and hands, their eyes, and so much more! But I know you already have a lot on your plate, Super Mom (because ALL moms are super!) So, let me take this one thing off your plate and still make it possible for you to have these moments together. Just take a few moments to make up your craft kit, filling one bag using the free printable shopping list or Amazon links. Once that is together, you will have everything that you need to make every single craft on this blog…no extra prep! Like our tag line says, “One little bag, hours of creativity!” Happy crafting!!!

Step 1

• Draw a large pumpkin that fills up the entire space of a piece of orange construction paper. This does not need to be fancy. It can be a simple circle or oval.
• Sandwich 2 pieces of orange construction paper together and cut out the pumpkin shape.
• Draw on some orange details

Step 2

• First, cut face pieces out of the yellow scraps of paper. Tail with the black marker.
• Then, glue into place with the glue stick.
• Last, cut a stem from the scrap of green construction paper and glue in place between the two pumpkins.

Step 3

• Staple the 2 orange pumpkins together, leaving the bottom open for filling.
• Tear strips of newspaper and form into small balls.
• Fill the jack-o-lantern with the paper, being careful not to stuff it too full.
• Staple closed.

Tearing paper is a great way to work on bilateral coordination. If that term is new to you, it simply means working your hands together in coordination. This is a very important foundational skill for so many things in life. Yes, it is possible to use just one hand to complete tasks, but isn’t so much easier when we use our hands together? Every preschooler is learning how to cut with scissors. But first they need to work their hands together without the scissors in them. This activity is perfect for that. The adult can do the cutting of the pumpkin and other details. Then let the kiddos do the tearing, crumpling and stuffing.

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