From the time my daughter sees the first pumpkin in the store she begins her daily question, “Is it Halloween yet?” With zero concept of time, she tends to drive her mom batty with her continual questions about when is Halloween (or any other big event). To squash the need to ask everyday, I employ advent countdowns whenever possible like this pumpkin halloween countdown craft sponsored by Fiskars.
Sure I have some lovely store-bought ones, but it is even more fun to make your own. A craft project and practical solution in one — I am all about it. For this Pumpkin Halloween Countdown Craft I was inspired by a craft from Fiskars’ website.
Pumpkin Halloween Countdown Craft
One of my favorite Fiskars products are the handheld punches (I currently own three which get used for just about ever holiday and party I throw). Fiskars took paper punches to the next level by sewing them together to create a paper punch garland. Super simple and super cute.
My initial thought was to sew the garland for my mini crafters, but then I realized it might be too hard to tear off for the countdown. So I swapped stitches for staples, and it worked perfectly.
I am going to tell you how I made this super simple craft in a moment, but first I want to tell you why I filled my house with seven little girls for a craft party.
This month I joined the Champions For Kids mission along with Fiskars to provide art supplies for a children’s organization. I choose SafeHouse of Seminole, which is a local shelter for women and children.
I could have just donated craft tools, but I decided it would be more fun to donate supplies along with instructions for an art project for the kids to create. (I love inspiring craftiness in kids!) Then I decided it would be even more fun to gather my daughter’s friends together to test the project. Not only could we have a fun afternoon crafting with friends, but I also challenged the moms to bring supplies to donate (I even had a prize for the person who brought the most).
We had a ton of fun at our craft party and the moms all brought tons of great supplies to donate. Check out what we collected.
But that’s not all, the kids at SafeHouse of Seminole will also be getting all of these art tools that I picked up too.
Back to the craft.
With a little bit of prep work, this is the perfect project to make with a bunch of kids. In fact, I challenge you to have your own craft party and collect supplies for a local children’s organization in your area!
Pumpkin Halloween Countdown Template
After my attempts to find a pumpkin template were unsuccessful, I decided to create my own template. Trust me, this will make your project so much easier. (You’re welcome!)
Download your Pumpkin Face Template here.
Once I had my template printed out, I went a head and traced it onto colored paper for the kiddos. The probably could have done this themselves, but I wanted to make things smooth for the party.
I also decided it would be best if I punched out all of the circles for garland before the party. Boy am I glad I did this. We made ours 43 days before Halloween, so it was a lot of punches. (43 x 7 = 301 plus extras for decoration.)
When the guest arrived assembly was as easy as cutting out the pumpkin and face with scissors and then stapling the punches together to make garland strands. Perfect for a group of girls ranging from Kindergarten to 2nd grade.
Within minutes the girls were happily cutting, coloring, glueing and stapling. Looks like fun, doesn’t it? It was.
When the last punch has been stapled into place, each little girl had a craft to take home and enjoy through Halloween. It was a great way to spend the afternoon, and we were able to collect tons of great supplies.
Later this week, I will take the art tools along with instructions to SafeHouse of Seminole so they can have their own crafting party and make their own pumpkin Halloween countdown craft.
Little Miss Kate says
September 24, 2013 at 9:40 amNeat idea! My DS has already been asking when halloween is. This would be a great visual way to help him understand
Kay M. says
September 24, 2013 at 9:45 amThis would be fun to do with my grandkids!! I know the little ones would love it. Thanks for the idea!
Heather - Acting Balanced Mom says
September 24, 2013 at 9:45 amWe need to make a Halloween countdown calendar too… my youngest slept in his halloween costume the other night because he’s so excited already!
Jenny says
September 24, 2013 at 9:58 amSuch fun! And how nice of you to donate all those supplies to the other kids! 🙂
Amber Edwards says
September 24, 2013 at 10:27 amI love this countdown calendar! What a fun way to keep the anticipating alive for Halloween! Plus a super fun craft to begin with!
Margie says
September 25, 2013 at 8:13 pmMy daughter liked to do crafts with her friends too. The Halloween countdown calendar is a great idea.
Terri Herman says
September 25, 2013 at 8:19 pmI will try this in my classroom! My four year olds really love this holiday and get excited way too early! This should be a good way for them to begin to comprehend how much longer they have to wait!
Susan H. says
September 25, 2013 at 8:29 pmLooks like a fun time…and awesome for you to donate all those supplies.
Katy M says
September 25, 2013 at 8:38 pmOh my gosh! Look at all of those fun Crayola products! My inner crazy-craft-lady just swooned. I love countdown projects. Kids can’t seem to get enough of them! Thanks for the tutorial!
Janet W. says
September 25, 2013 at 8:55 pmWhat a fun and easy craft for my grandson to do! We’ll have to do this to get him in the Halloween spirit!
Emily C says
September 25, 2013 at 9:38 pmThis is so cute and a great idea. I have a child that loves the visual reminder that a countdown calendar provides.
maria says
September 25, 2013 at 9:39 pmwhat a wonderful idea! I love all the donations! Did I see a box of 64 markers? I haven’t seen that before! Funny, I make countdown calendars for every other occasion, never thought to do Halloween! can’t wait to try this!!
jen says
September 26, 2013 at 8:53 amYep, 64 WASHABLE markers. Best marker set ever! You can buy them on Amazon http://amzn.to/15wJUDS. Have fun!
Dawn Ganey says
September 26, 2013 at 1:08 amHalloween is such an exciting holiday. Great fun for kids on arts & crafts.
keely hostetter says
September 26, 2013 at 7:38 amThat looks like fun, my daughter loves creating things and would love to have friends over to do it with.
Amy Orvin says
September 26, 2013 at 8:20 amAwww… this is such a cute craft. I want to see my nieces work on this one.
michelle oakley warner says
September 26, 2013 at 8:52 pmwow great crafts, im so excited to try this out with my kids, they are going to love it, thanks for the great post
Trisha W. says
September 27, 2013 at 9:00 amI’ve seen Christmas countdowns and birthday countdowns but never a Halloween countdown. Your idea looks cute though.
Rebecca Parsons says
September 28, 2013 at 12:10 amThat is a really nice idea. Will try something similar to this. I was thinking a spider.
Sarah L says
September 28, 2013 at 8:57 pmVery cute idea. Looks like all the girls enjoyed doing it. Glad you donated the craft supplies.
Cheryl F. says
September 29, 2013 at 12:27 amThis is an adorable craft and it looks so easy.
Michele P says
September 29, 2013 at 10:05 amwhat a great idea! my 3 & 4 yr old grandsons would like something like that, so definitely a countdown calendar would be fun for them as they love Halloween!
Cyn says
September 29, 2013 at 8:10 pmWhat a super cute craft! I love that you had a crafting party and collected more donations for the Champions for Kids Simple Service project!
kim says
September 30, 2013 at 4:03 pmThis is so cute! I think I will try to make this with my son
Julie Wood says
September 30, 2013 at 8:34 pmThis is a wonderful fun Halloween craft to make with my nephew and niece. We love making things for Halloween. We just got done making glow in the dark lanterns, and I want to make these Halloween Pumpkins. Thanks for the instructions.
Lisa Kerr says
September 30, 2013 at 9:47 pmWhat a wonderful Halloween craft for kids to make!! And so nice to donate all those supplies!
Tami Vollenweider says
September 30, 2013 at 11:17 pmSuch a cute idea! It’s such a easy project for them and Me!
Happi Shopr says
October 1, 2013 at 8:24 amWhat a clever idea. And no more questions of when will it be Halloween.
Jean says
October 1, 2013 at 8:24 amWhat a cute idea! I just put a note in my first graders lunch this morning that says, “30 days until Halloween!” She would love to make this to help her keep track. Halloween isn’t far behind Christmas in popularity in my house!
Dana Rodriguez says
October 1, 2013 at 11:53 amGreat idea!Halloween is a great time for kids to be “crafty”
Kristin F says
October 1, 2013 at 12:48 pmI need to try this with my daughter and her little friends. Too cute.
Natasha says
October 2, 2013 at 6:46 amThis is so stinkin cute! My son would love to do this!
Andrea B (@goodgirlgonered) says
October 2, 2013 at 8:43 amThis is super cute. We’re about ready to start decorating and my daughter is MORE than ready for Halloween. SO much so she pushed it up a few days in her mind. 😉
Tammy S says
October 2, 2013 at 10:41 pmWhat a great idea! I have got to share this idea with my friend who is a Kindergarten teacher. she is always looking for new crafts for her class. This would be perfect!
Tera @ Adventures in Mommy-hood says
October 3, 2013 at 8:03 pmVery cute. My son was just saying today that we needed to decorate for Halloween. I told him we’d have to make decorations, since we don’t have any. Adding this to the list 🙂
latanya says
October 4, 2013 at 7:51 amThese are cute and fun projects that I will try with my son.
Cynthia R says
October 4, 2013 at 8:51 amwhat a great craft project, kids look like they are really enjoying themselves.
Yidi S says
October 4, 2013 at 10:30 amthis is not only the party for kids, but also adults like it too
Helga says
October 4, 2013 at 11:26 amI dont celebrate Halloween for religious reasons, but I do like fall crafts with kids!
Amber L. says
October 5, 2013 at 1:16 pmThis is such a cute and fun Halloween craft! Plus this would be great for my daughter who keeps asking how many day until Halloween…lol
courtney hennagir says
October 7, 2013 at 12:50 pmthis looks so fun and easy! i am forwarding this to my sons teacher.she will love the idea!
jennie sanderson says
October 7, 2013 at 4:32 pmThis is so cute! I need to share it on my facebook page to save it!! Thank you! I think my son is a little young this year maybe I should pin it for next year
shelly peterson says
October 7, 2013 at 9:06 pmI love this idea! My son and grandson would both have fun making this.
sheila ressel says
October 8, 2013 at 9:08 amHow adorable is this? My nieces and nephews can’t wait for Halloween and love doing crafts. What a great way to combine two of their favorite things. Thanks for the template!
Seth says
October 8, 2013 at 10:32 amCool! Donating the supplies is a great gesture too.
shaunie says
October 8, 2013 at 1:45 pmin our family we love crafts this will be great for the children when they are on a break in the fall