Dr. Seuss Inspired Pumpkin Template

Try celebrating Dr. Seuss during Halloween.  I created a Dr. Seuss inspired jack-o-lantern.  I carved my pumpkin as the Cat in the Hat’s face and added the striped stove pipe hat on top.


You can make one too.  I created this template for my obSEUSSed readers.  You can print it out. Then use a pen to draw over the lines and cut through the paper to draw onto the pumpkin. This will tell you where to use your carving knife. 
The black is where to use your carving knife to cut all the way through leaving a large enough cut that light can show through from the inside out.
The orange is where you scrape the top layer of the pumpkin off to expose the next layer.  There are special scraping tools to help you do this.  It still lets some light through the pumpkin, but not as bright so it has a softer effect.

Copy or save jpg file and print on 8.5 x 11 paper.  Free printable template for personal home use only.  Please link to this post and give credit if you share it online.

Be careful to leave spaces where there are spaces so the entire head or bow tie don't fall out.

I used craft paint to paint the bow tie red on the pumpkin.  You can order a striped hat like the one below or use one you already have or make a construction paper one.

As an Amazon affiliate I make a small percentage of sales if purchased through this link. Thanks!

 

There are so many fun ideas to create a Dr. Seuss inspired pumpkin.

Grinch & yellow Sneetch Pumpkin from Tropical Texana
Cat with the Hat, right here on obSEUSSed
Lorax Pumpkin by Miss Nelson's got the camera
Full Glowing Cat in the Hat by Xtreme Carvers

See more Dr. Seuss inspired pumpkins on my Pinterest board.  I love the Lorax ones with fuzzy mustaches and eyebrows.

Follow Victoria's board Dr. Seuss Halloween Costumes Pumpkins on Pinterest.

Follow all my boards to see all the Dr. Seuss ideas.

If you make a Dr. Seuss inspired pumpkin you can share it in the comments below or email me a photo and I’ll add it to this post.  I’d love to see other’s creations.

Quick Pumpkin Activities

If you don't have time to carve a pumpkin this Halloween (or if you want to avoid the mess) try some of these quick pumpkin activities.

FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS:

Start with a book at bed time. This one is great for toddlers too.

It has been a traditional rhyme since my mom was a little girl. She taught it to me and I'm sure most people have heard it.  The poem, "5 Little Pumpkins," can be found in this cute book by Dan Yaccarino or below. Remember to clap your hands (or really turn out the light) at the part where you say "Out went the light"

Five Little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "Oh, my it's getting late!"
The second one said, "There are witches in the air."
The third one said, "But we don't care."
The fourth one said, "Let's run, let's run!"
The fifth one said, "Isn't Halloween fun?"
Then woooooo went the wind
And OUT went the lights.
And those five little pumpkins rolled right out of sight.

Another Quick Idea
REAL ORANGE PUMPKINS:

Get some cute Clementine oranges and give your kids some permanent markers to decorate faces on them.

Under adult supervision my 4 & 6 year old loved this. Then they gave a bag to our neighbors.

PIPE CLEANER PUMPKIN: Use pipe cleaners to decorate a pumpkin in under 5 minutes. Curl a few or leave them straight.  Use siscors to cut them (they are way too hard to pull apart by hand - trust me, I've tried. Remember there is a wire under that fuzz).

POTATO HEAD PUMPKIN: Use pieces from Mr. Potato Head toy or buy pieces at the store that have a little bit longer and pointy tip. You can find them all over. I've seen them at Target and WalMart.  Our kids like to change the look every day for a fresh spooky surprise.  Or try 4 faces at once (on each side) so you can rotate it to your favorite each day.

PUMPKIN PRETZEL KISSES: These are a favorite new treat.  The kids did all the work for these. I preheated the oven to 350 degrees. My 6 year old lined up pretzels on a cookie tray, my 4 year old unwrapped all the kisses (Pumpkin Spice, Candy Corn and Carmel Apple flavors) then set one one each pretzel.  Then I popped them in the oven for 5 minutes to melt, took them out and pushed them down a little with the bottom of a spoon.  The carmel ones got messy and stuck to the tray but the others turned out great.

Here is one of my little helpers and my cute little 3-month-old pumpkin.

Linking up to Today's Creative, Get Your Craft On
Skip To My Lou, Made By You Monday
Ain't She Crazy Theme Party Thursday 
Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrapup Party