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Paper Bag Pumpkin

  • Books & Language Arts
  • Young Adult
  • Grades 4-5
  • Grades 1-3

Turn an ordinary paper lunch bag into a Halloween decoration or favor bag with just a few simple craft materials!

Materials

  • 25 Pack Assorted Paint Brushes
  • Green Fuzzy Sticks
  • Acrylic Paint Jars, 24 Assorted colors
  • Paper lunch bag
  • Scissors
  • Pencil

Instructions

Step 1. Gather your supplies.

Paper Bag Pumpkin Craft

 
Paper Bag Pumpkin Decoration

 

 Step 2.

 

First, you’ll need to fluff up the lunch bag to create a round pumpkin shape. Add candy or other treats inside if you are making a party favor. If you’re making these as pumpkin decorations, crumple up newspaper and stuff it inside.

 

 Step 3.

 

When the bag is filled and looks round, close and twist the top of the bag. You should have a few inches of bag left as shown.
Paper Bag Pumpkin Decoration for Kids

 

 Step 4.

 

Wrap a green Fuzzy Stick around the top where you twisted the bag. Wrap a second Fuzzy Stick around the top, and leave some hanging down.
Kids Craft Paper Bag Pumpkin Decoration

 

 Step 5.

 

Twist the loose piece of Fuzzy Stick around a pencil. Remove the pencil to see the curly pumpkin vine you have formed.
Paper Bag Pumpkin Decoration for Halloween

 

 Step 6.

 

Use scissors to cut the top of the bag to create (2) leaves as shown.
Kids Craft Pumpkin Decoration

 

 Step 7.

 

Use Acrylic Paint to decorate your Paper Bag Pumpkin. Paint the leaves green and the base orange. If you want, use black Acrylic Paint to make a Jack-O-Lantern face.

 

Once dry, give your Paper Bag Pumpkin to a friend or display in your home for the fall season!

 


Teacher's Corner

Put a twist on the pumpkin carving tradition this year — use paper bags to create Jack O’ Lantern friends and decorate the classroom or keep as a trick-or-treat bags!

Lesson Objectives

  • A Reason To Recycle: Not only are your students getting into the Halloween spirit, but they are also being environmentally-friendly! Have a class discussion on the importance of reusing materials, like newspapers and paper bags, instead of throwing them away after one use. Remind them that their paper pumpkins can be reused next year as a ready-made Halloween decoration!
  • The History of Jack O’ Lanterns: Did you know that pumpkin carving was originally inspired by an Irish folktale? If you’re looking for a spooky story to tell while your students paint their pumpkin bags, share The Legend of Stingy Jack!    

Follow-up Discussion

Over time, many families put their own spin on traditions, like pumpkin carving! Ask your students to share one of their family traditions — this will give the class a chance to hear, understand, and appreciate the special customs their classmates celebrate at home.