1. Air dry clay pumpkin

-     Roll clay into a ball and press your thumb into the centre to start a pinch pot

-     Pinch while turning the ball to form a bowl roughly a couple of centimetres thick

-     Shape the outside into a rough pumpkin shape

-     Wet your fingers and create vertical grooves gently for the pumpkin ridges

-     Optional: Cut small V-shapes at the base, then rejoin and smooth for a more rounded shape

-     Add additional support by placing a compact foil ball inside – this stops the clay sagging!

2. Air dry clay jack-o'-lantern

-     Make a small clay stem, flatten the base and position it on top of your pumpkin

-     Score the base of the stem and the top of the pumpkin and press together firmly

-     Let the pumpkin firm up to the leather-hard stage (partially dry but still carvable)

-     Carefully carve eyes and a mouth with a hobby or utility knife

-     Go spooky, goofy, cheerful, or whatever you like – just take your time and carve safely

3. Acrylic paint on pumpkin

-     Allow the pumpkin to dry completely (it will lighten in colour and feel lighter once dry)

-     Paint the pumpkin whatever colour speaks to you (we went with classic orange!)

-     Add small details like stem colour and soft highlights, then let the paint dry fully

-     Place a battery tealight inside and enjoy the glow

Super simple and reusable for many Halloweens to come! Happy spooky season, everyone 🦇🎃