Turning ordinary pumpkins into ghastly faces with evil eyes and chiseled teeth is a fun exercise in creativity. Kids and adults alike gather around the kitchen table every Halloween with sharp tools to cut and carve pieces of pumpkins into horrifying facial features. Seeds are scooped out and baked into a nutritious snack while everyone is busy competing to make the scariest jack-o'-lantern. This pumpkin-carving tradition may seem just like a fun and frivolous activity, but it is actually rooted in some interesting history. Kids will enjoy learning about how these creations came to be, as well as all kinds of other interesting facts about jack-o'-lanterns.
Jack-O'-Lantern History for Kids
Kids will be fascinated by the creepy, colorful history of how pumpkins carved into freaky faces have evolved from a strategy to keep homes protected from menacing spirits into a fun, family-friendly Halloween activity. They will also love reading books about jack-o'-lanterns where these pumpkins spring into action, causing all kinds of mischief on Halloween. Here the history of jack-o'lanterns and some other fun trivia to share next time you are carving your own creations.
In Ireland on All Hallow's Eve, people carved out the insides of turnips, gourds, potatoes, beets, and rutabagas. Then they placed a candle inside to ward off evil spirits.
According to Irish folklore, Jack was a man to escaped the hands of the devil on multiple occasions. One time the devil threw a glowing piece of coal to Jack so he could see his way out of the dark underworld. So Jack carved out a turnip and placed the hot coal inside, thus inventing the first jack-o'-lantern. Old Jack is rumored to still roam around the world, becoming most active on All Saints Day which is November 1st.
Named Maverick, after the hit movie, the gigantic pumpkin was carved into the shape of a helmet. It was grown in Anoka, Minnesota by Travis Gienger, who believes that Maverick's seeds could produce another record-breaking jack-o'-lantern.
However, there are a few ways to preserve the pumpkin for just a little longer. One suggestion is to spray the inside and all carved surfaces with a combination of bleach and water. The mixture will kill off bacteria and mold that lead to decay. Hairspray, especially anti-humidity products, has also been observed to slow down rot. Some people apply olive oil or petroleum jelly to the carved parts to help prevent dehydration.
A beautiful city near the Connecticut River partnered up with Let It Shine, Inc. to break a Guinness World Record on October 19, 2013. A small town with a population of just 23,000 pulled off quite a feat by displaying 30,581 jack-o'lanterns, almost 8,000 more than the number of residents. The town had previously broken the record 8 times, where local people and tourists alike flocked to Main Street where the carved pumpkins were lined up for the public to enjoy.
When October rolls around, some people grow especially nervous at the sight of pumpkins popping up everywhere. Cucurbita maxima is a Latin term that refers to all fruits that are part of the pumpkin family. Although it is impossible to know how many people actually suffer from this phobia, reports of the irrational fear of pumpkins have been documented. Upon seeing them, people react in an excessive and irrational manner, likely due to the association with other fearful Halloween specters.
Scary Halloween Stories