Au Pair in America

live-in child care and cultural exchange.

Activity Ideas

PUMPKIN CARVING

Start the Halloween season off by going pumpkin picking – check the newspaper for farms where you can go into the fields and pick your own pumpkin! You can limit the size by telling children they have to carry their own.

Carve the pumpkin just a few days before Halloween if you want it to be nice on Halloween, as pumpkins rot quickly. Work with the children to plan the design on paper and then draw it onto the pumpkin before you begin cutting. Cut off a lid to clean out the inside of the pumpkin and design holes large enough to let light shine out when you’re done. With a special safe knife designed for pumpkin carving, the children can help carve the pumpkin. Check with your family to see if they have one of the special knives – they sell them in supermarkets if you need one. Always cut away from yourself using slow steady cuts. Scoop out the seeds and stringy flesh (this is a messy but fun job!). See the seasonal calendar for October for recipes using the seeds and the pumpkin you have cut away.

Look at these ideas for easy and fun activities!

for babies under 2
for toddlers and older - (craft ideas without paint or glue)
for school age children

Other activity ideas:

* For more ideas for activities to do with children, refer to "150 Things to Do with Children" and the seasonal calendar.



Au Pair in America matches carefully screened young women and nannies from around the world who provide live-in child care during a year-long cultural exchange. About AIFS \| Privacy Policy \| For the Media \| Careers at AIFS \| Brochure Request \| Sitemap \| Search \| Contact Us