A carved or decorated pumpkin is called a jack-o-lantern.  If you are carving your pumpkin, I recommend that you wait until no more than a week before Halloween, so it will be fresh for the big day. If you are doing this with your host kids, be very careful with the sharp objects.

When you remove the insides of the pumpkin there will be lots of seeds. Did you know you can roast those for a healthy snack? Here’s a recipe for Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.

If you want to avoid the mess and sharp objects, check out the second video for some non-carving jack-o-lanterns.

If you want your pumpkin art to last forever, you may purchase artificial pumpkins at craft stores like Michaels and AC Moore. Those can be carved and painted, just like the real thing.

Find more Halloween activities and recipes on the APIA Halloween Fun Pinterest board.

Photo: Jeff Cramer