Have Kids Name Their Pumpkins

Have kids carve their name in a pumpkin while the fruits are small and watch the pumpkin, and name, grow over time.

By Charlie Nardozzie

Pumpkins are a favorite fruit to grow in a kid's garden. It's not too late to start growing a patch now to mature by Halloween. If you already have a pumpkin patch for your kids, a great way to keep them interested and involved is to have them name their favorite fruits.

Start by telling your children a story about where the name pumpkin comes from. Pumpkins are native American crops. When Jacques Cartier was exploring North America in the 1500s, he came across these large vines and fruits growing in Native American gardens. He called them gros melons. The name translated into pompoin in English and that's how we got the name pumpkin for this fruit. Of course, pumpkins were part of the first Thanksgiving, too.

To name the individual fruits, wait until the pumpkin fruits are about the size of a small cantaloupe or large grapefruit. Under supervision from an adult, have kids use a nail or pocketknife to gently carve the name in the pumpkin's skin. The cuts should just break the skin and not cut into the flesh. Gently scrape away the outer skin where they cut to write their name, a friend's name, or even a made-up name. The skin will naturally heal over in time, not harming the pumpkin. Older kids can get creative and carve a small face on the pumpkin as well.

If they carve their names or pictures small, the kids can watch the pumpkin and carving grow with time. This is most dramatic when growing large-sized pumpkin varieties such as 'Connecticut Field'. Kids will be amazed at how the name or face changes over time and gets distorted. They will be running into the garden every few days to see their pumpkin. While there, have them pull a weed or two, and help squish a few bugs. Come fall, each child will know which pumpkin is his or hers and can proudly display it on the front porch.