Every year since our kids were small, we’ve hosted a neighborhood pumpkin carving party so I can tell, you I know all sorts of pumpkin carving tricks. But this is, by far, my all time favorite for the littlest one’s in the crowd. No knives required. Just let them pick what shape and where and hammer away. If you use a rubber mallet instead of a hammer, your cookie cutters will keep their shape and the kids can safely help with the pounding.

Things you’ll need:
Pumpkins, top opened and seeds removed
Metal cookie cutters
Rubber mallet

Things to do:
1. Let your little artist pick what cookie cutters they want to use and show you where to place the shapes. Be sure that they aren’t too close together to prevent the rind of the pumpkin from becoming weak and breaking.

2. With a cookie cutter sharp side against the pumpkin skin, tap the edges with the mallet, working around the edge as you go to help the cutter go in evenly.

3. Continue to tap the cutter until it cuts through the rind. Remove the cutter and the cut out shape and move on to the next shape.