Autumn is a great time to take the kids outdoors, letting them experience all of the rich colors and appetizing fruits of the season.

Autumn crafts can be as simple as a leaf scrapbook, or as elaborate as life sized scarecrows, and intricately carved pumpkins.

A leaf scrapbook is a great way to help kids learn about different types of trees, or to create a lasting momento of a late autumn walk in the woods. Help children press leaf samples between two peices of waxed paper. Seal the edges of the paper together with tape or staple closed. Use a tree guide to help kids identify different types of leaves, and write them under each leaf specimen in their scrapbook. Make both a back and cover for the book from construction paper, decorated with leaf rubbings or other fall patterns.

Along with autumn comes Halloween with it's fun costumes, and trick-or-treating traditions. A great Halloween craft is creating "Trick-or-Treat" bags, which kids can decorate with glitter, glue, stencils and any other scrap items you may have available. Use large brown grocery bags, turned inside out to hide any print that may be on the outside of the bag. Set out the glue, glitter, paints and other items, and encourage children to be creative in their use of the materials. From pumpkins to ghosts, witches to black cats, the opportunities for creativity and imagination abound.

Create a gourd candle-holder. Autumn is the season to gather gourds of all sizes colors and shapes. Create your candle holder by simply hollowing the center of the gourds, and placing a small votive candle within. Gourds can be carved with various designs, patterns or shapes, or left completely "as is" for centerpeices and front porch displays.

Life sized scare-crows are fun to make. Use old clothes and fill the arms, legs and chest area with leaves from your backyard. A pumpkin head, with carved out, glowing eyes, or a menacingly drawn on smile, will be sure to make your scarecrow come alive. Use old gloves and hats, shoes or boots, to add the finishing touches to this fun lawn ornament.

Decorating pumpkins is one of the fond traditions many families undertake in October.
To decorate an elaborate pumpkin, trace designs of your choice on the outside of the pumpkin, using a black magic marker. Designs can be colored with dark markers, for younger children, and older children's can use safety carving knives, to create a "Jack-O-Latern" with pizzaz. For carved pumpkins, cut off the top of the pumpkin and hallow out the seeds and "meat." Place a candle inside the hallowed out pumpkin shell, so the glow of the candle can be seen through the cut designs.

Bake a pumpkin together. Whole pumpkins, with the top and seeds removed can be baked in a 350 degree oven for 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the pumpkin. Wash and clean the pumpkin, hallowing out the inside to remove seeds. Rub the inside with a stick of butter or margerine, then with a mixture of cinnimin, cloves, and brown sugar. Check for doneness by pricking the skin with a fork. Serve in place of traditional pumpkin pie. Smaller pumpkins can be baked in this manner, for 30-45 minutes. Use as bowls for vanilla or ginger flavored ice-cream.

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