Pumpkin show and tell
Give the finished pumpkins their moment, hear the stories behind the designs, and vote for a detail that made you smile.
Activity steps
- Open your little gallery,Clear a table or shelf for the pumpkins made at your party. If you are only doing the gallery, ask guests to bring a decorated pumpkin from home. Put name cards beside the designs; a cardstock welcome sign and small clear easels can help guests find each one. Cards are not included with the easels, so use the blank cards or stiff scrap card. If desired, add a runner, a tray or a three-tier display stand once the work is fully dry. A pumpkin must fit completely on its shelf; keep larger ones on the flat table.
- Take the pumpkin tour,Each maker gives their pumpkin a name and points out a favorite detail. Walk through the gallery together, keeping freshly painted surfaces untouched. A few battery-operated lights can add a gallery glow. Keep battery compartments secure and out of children’s reach.
- Celebrate the details,Give each guest a blank card to write or draw a favorite detail: boldest color, funniest face, or most surprising idea. Read the cards aloud and place them beside the pumpkins with removable tape. Guests can also place one removable voting dot on a paper appreciation card, never on a painted pumpkin.
Use pumpkins already made, owned, or brought by guests. This activity adds no extra pumpkins to the shopping list; the blank cards are for the friendly vote. Use any display accessories already at home. Holders, dots, risers and decoration are suggestions for the gallery; a clear flat surface and handwritten cards work too.
Shopping list for 6 people
- Blank cards for messages, names and votes — 6 cards
- Washable marker assortment — 1 set
- Removable tape for lightweight wall decorations — 1 roll
- Clear stands for pumpkin names and story cards — 6 holders
- Removable dots for friendly gallery votes — 6 stickers
- A three-tier stand for the finished gallery — 1 stand
- Terracotta runner for the finished gallery — 1 runner
- Wood tray for finished pumpkins — 1 tray
- Battery-operated LED votive lights — 3 lights
- Colored cardstock — 1 sheet
Use supplies you already have. Enable JavaScript to adjust guests and mark what you need.