I’ve never really been a big fan of Halloween.  I know, I know. Halloween is so much fun you say.  But, it’s true. Until I had kids I was happy to put a big bowl of snickers on the porch, turn out the lights and watch 3 hours of Sex and the City reruns hiding in my bedroom.  Now that my girls are 4 and almost 3, that magical evening of R&R is a thing of the past…on many levels. For one, my daughters are hardcore excited about Halloween. And 2, I kind of find myself wanting to join in on the fun.  So, in an effort to embrace this holiday loved by millions, I’m trying to find ways that I can enjoy it with my family but with out a crazy pumpkin mess.  So far so good actually, starting with this no paint and no carve, pumpkin decorating activity for kids. It’s awesome for Halloween lovers and want to be Halloween lovers alike.  Plus, this new art supply is my new favorite and my go to gift for all birthday parties.

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Ok, so first how is this no paint?

Say hello to FUNCHALK Markers, my new favorite art supply not only for pumpkin decorating, but for many other art activities as well.

I was introduced to Funchalk via my happy place, instagram (follow me here for tons of behind the scenes pics), and really haven’t been the same since.  I’m serious.  The colors are ridiculously vibrant.  When kids (and adults) first use them they’re like “OOOOOhhhhh,” and “AHHHHHH!”  “These are so cool!”  And if it’s my family, there will be a few over the top gasps.  We’re big gaspers over here.  It’s a family tradition.

Want to know how to do this fun activity?  Here are the steps.

Steps

Decorate your pumpkin with FUNCHALK Markers.

That’s all the steps : )  Pretty good right?

Though if you have young children I recommend sitting down and doing the decorating with them.  Kids will likely stay engaged way longer if you make it a family thing.  My youngest (almost 3) wanted to decorate her pumpkin on her own, but my oldest, 4 years old, was really excited to do it together.

One of the great things about Funchalk markers is that they are basically chalk that goes on like paint, but without the mess of paint.  The chalk goes on super smooth and the colors are absolutely incredible.  I’ve tried a lot of chalk markers and these are by far my favorite.  When you get them you have to shake them, remove the cap and then push the tip on a piece of scratch paper over and over (kind of like your gently hitting a hammer to wood) until the chalk paint starts to come down.  You’ll start to see it on the tip and on the paper.  Then you’re ready to go.

The markers will glide right over the pumpkin. It’s really satisfying to do, kind of like piling up 10 stamped and addressed thank you notes.  Know what I mean? Though I rarely have that feeling because I am THE WORST when it comes to thank you notes.

We’ve used these markers on more than just pumpkins too.

We’ve used them to make birthday cake dream catchers on transparency paper, (you can download the birthday cakes here) gorgeous “painted” leaves, and halloween masks.  They work best on non-porous surfaces, like plastic, tinfoil, windows, and picture frames.  They do work on paper but they won’t last as long if you use them that way.  We couldn’t resist on the paper masks.

My girls loved the pumpkin decorating.  Just look at these faces.

Oh, and see those polka dots, you can go over any section after it dries and make dots, x’s, smiley faces, etc. That’s one of our favorite parts.

If you are looking for to do some  pumpkin decorating for kids, this activity is the one.  Oh, and the FUNCHALK Markers come off in the wash too.  So there’s also that.  We’ve been buying funchalk markers for birthday presents and giving them as a gift with a plastic frame or lucite box from ikea (check the plant department on your next visit.) In other words, these markers have my total art teacher endorsement.  I’m so grateful to have discovered them.  If you decide to order them, please let me know what surfaces you try them with.  I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for following along everyone and Happy Halloween! xo Meri (recent Halloween convert)

ps If you like this pumpkin decorating activity, try this one too.  It was our biggest hit from last year.