Pumpkin Carving Not Really a Toddler Activity....

This was the first year that we carved a family Schneider pumpkin. I will have to confess this is one of my least favorite parenting toddler activities. I am not the Grinch of Halloween it is just that pumpkin carving is not particularly a developmentally appropriate toddler activity. Yet it seems we are missing something if we don’t do it. Think about it-what exactly does the toddler do? First Kayla had to wait until Daddy cut off the top. The next part Kayla was excited about...but really I have yet to meet a toddler who likes the feel of pumpkin innards. One or two touches and then it was off to find a spoon. Kayla made one or two scoops with the spoon and then she was done. Daddy finished cleaning the innards out as I cleaned Kayla's hands. We tried to reengage Kayla with the face planning but again-sharp knife is not toddler appropriate. Once the pumpkin was carved, we placed a candle inside of it and that was it. The excitement was over and it is now Halloween night and the candle is still sitting in the pumpkin and has not been lite. After carving the "BIG" pumpkin, I let Kayla paint and glue feathers on a small pumpkin. She "so" enjoyed this activity (and it was easier to clean up). Maybe this should be a lesson learned. However, I know better. Next year we will again go pick out the perfect BIG pumpkin and set out to have the kids watch while Mommy and Daddy carve it.