All kids love carving their Jack-O-Lanterns each year, but did you know that millions of pumpkins end up going to waste once Halloween is over? It’s a pretty spooky statistic! Instead of throwing your pumpkins away, Halloween is the perfect opportunity to teach kids about recycling and upcycling. Pumpkins are incredibly versatile, you can use almost every part of them, from the seeds to the skin (just don’t eat the stalk or any areas burned by candles).
Here are seven fun and surprising ways to reuse your pumpkins once the costumes and candy are packed away:
Cook Them: Wedges, Soup, Pies & Cookies
Turn your pumpkin into something delicious! Try roasting pumpkin wedges (skin on), sprinkling them with breadcrumbs and parmesan, and baking until crispy. Serve with your child’s favourite dips, pumpkin hummus is always a hit. You can also cook the flesh into soups, pies, muffins, or even blend into oats for healthy snacks. Pumpkin is rich in vitamins C and E, plus beta-carotene, great for growing kids.
If you have a few pumpkins to use up, chop and freeze the extra flesh for later.
Make a Wildlife Feeder
Your carved pumpkin can become a treat for local birds and small wildlife. Place the pumpkin outside or fill it with bird seed to create a natural feeder, even if the inside is slightly charred, the animals won’t mind!
Bake Pumpkin Bread
Mini pumpkins and squashes are perfect for baking. Try adding finely grated raw pumpkin into your favourite bread recipe along with raisins, nuts, or spices. It’s simple, seasonal, and delicious.
Plant Seeds for Next Year
Save your pumpkin seeds and plant them! Kids love caring for their own plants, and watching pumpkins grow over time makes next Halloween even more exciting. Simply rinse, dry, then plant in pots or your garden.
Create Pumpkin-Themed Gifts
Homemade pumpkin chutney or spiced jam makes a thoughtful gift for friends, grandparents, or teachers. Use the carved-out pumpkin flesh, cook with warm spices, then jar and decorate with ribbons for a festive touch.
Just remember to use the pumpkin fresh or freeze it until you’re ready.
Add It to Your Compost
If cooking isn’t your thing, composting is still a fantastic way to make use of leftover pumpkin. Compost helps reduce waste and is great for your garden or community green spaces.
Make Drinks!
Pumpkin works surprisingly well in drinks, think pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin spiced milk, or even fermented pumpkin and apple soda. For the grown-ups, pumpkin mulled wine or pumpkin ale can be a fun seasonal treat!
Whether your pumpkins were spooky, silly, cute, or creepy this Halloween, they don’t need to go to waste. With a little creativity, they can become food, gifts, garden magic, or even wildlife snacks.
Happy reusing, repurposing, and enjoying your Halloween pumpkins!
