I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to drill a hole or hammer a nail and had my kids beg me for a turn.  Unfortunately for them, most home-repair projects aren’t great “practice” opportunities.  Pumpkin carving, however, is a perfect time to let my kids loose.  Last year, after hollowing out our pumpkins on the deck, I gave them each a turn with their favorite tool – the power drill.  I inserted a wide, paddle-style drill bit and set them free to make whatever polka-dot pattern they wanted.

You should have seen the excitement in their eyes!  Maybe you can get a feel of it from the picture above.  They absolutely loved it!  There was no struggle with sharp knives or cheap plastic saws, no worries about following a pattern, just pure fun.  We even grabbed a hammer and some fat nails and let them pound some smaller holes in their pumpkins while they waited for their turn with the drill.

Overall, it was a great family fun experience.  By the end of the night we four happy kids and a bunch of charmingly-spotted Jack-o’-Lanterns for our front steps.  What more could I ask for?  Just thought I’d pass it on.