How to Host a Pumpkin Painting Party

FALL IS HERE!!! IT IS TIME FOR EVERYTHING PUMPKIN :) 

I HAVE HOSTED SEVERAL PUMPKIN PAINTING PARTIES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THEY ARE ALWAYS A BIG HIT!! THIS IS SOMETHING FUN THAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR FAMILY, A FALL BIRTHDAY PARTY, OR EVEN FOR A GROUP OF FRIENDS! 
THERE IS NOT A WRONG WAY TO PAINT A PUMPKIN, BUT HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO MAKE IT A LITTLE EASIER. 

SUPPLIES
PUMPKINS- ANY SIZE WILL WORK, MAKE SURE THEY ARE FLAT ON THE BOTTOM AND DON'T FALL OVER :) 
ACRYLIC PAINT (APPLE BARREL, CRAFTSMART, FOLK ART) ANY INEXPENSIVE ACRYLIC PAINT WILL WORK. CHALK PAINT ALSO WORKS WELL FOR A MATTE FINISH.
TABLE COVERS
FOAM BRUSHES
PAINT BRUSHES, A FEW DIFFERENT SIZES
WATER CUPS
PAINT PLATES  

PUT YOUR TABLE COVERS DOWN FIRST,  TAPE THE CLOTHS OR PAPER DOWN IF YOU ARE PAINTING OUTSIDE.

SET UP A PAINT STATION WHERE EVERYONE CAN PICK OUT THEIR PAINTS. IF YOU HAVE A LARGE GROUP, YOU MIGHT GET SEVERAL SMALL BOTTLES OF PAINT AND SET THEM AROUND ON THE TABLES SO THEY CAN GET THEIR OWN PAINT.  LAY PAINT BRUSHES AND FOAM BRUSHES AROUND ON THE TABLES SO THEY CAN CHOOSE THEIR BRUSH. GIVE EVERYONE A WATER CUP TO RINSE BRUSHES AND A PAINT PLATE.  

IF YOU ARE PAINTING OUTSIDE, YOU MIGHT WANT TO USE MASON JARS FOR WATER OR A HEAVIER PLATE. IF IT IS WINDY, THE PLATES WILL BLOW AWAY, I LEARNED THIS THE HARD WAY :) 

I TYPICALLY JUST LET EVERYONE DO THEIR OWN DESIGN AND CREATE ON THEIR OWN. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS!
-THE FOAM BRUSHES ARE BEST FOR PAINTING LARGE AREAS. 
-STENCILS WORK GREAT FOR PUMPKINS
-LET THE PAINT DRY BETWEEN COATS, IT MAKES IT MUCH EASIER TO PAINT OVER A BACKGROUND COLOR. IF YOU ARE PAINTING WITH KIDS, YOU MIGHT PLAN A GAME OR SNACK IN BETWEEN TO KEEP THEM BUSY WHILE THE PAINT DRIES.. 
-YOU CAN OFFER PAINTERS TAPE OR ROUND FOAM BRUSHES FOR LINES AND POLKA DOTS, THIS MIGHT BE BEST WITH ADULTS. 
-ONCE EVERYONE IS FINISHED PAINTING, MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE PAINT PLATES RIGHT AWAY OR YOU WILL HAVE PAINT EVERYWHERE! 
-LET THEM DRY AND EVERYONE CAN TAKE THEM HOME. BRING SOME OLD NEWSPAPERS, THESE WORK GREAT TO PUT UNDER THE PUMPKINS IN THE CAR. 

HAVE FUN WITH IT!! YOU COULD ALSO OFFER FALL THEMED SNACKS OR GAMES, IT IS YOUR PARTY!!
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, LET ME KNOW! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR PUMPKIN PICTURES!! 

STAY CREATIVE
XO- ~SARAH