Halloween just wouldn’t be the same without bright, beautiful, plump pumpkins! Children of all ages delight in the annual tradition of finding just the right pumpkin to take home and fashion into a fearsomely fun jack-o’-lantern. From spooky to spectacular, choosing and carving the perfect pumpkin is easy once you know how.

The choice of pumpkin should reflect the personality of the designer. But don’t worry; pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes so there is something for everyone.

• Big and Bold: Make a lasting impression with a giant gourd
• Long and Tall: For those that like to stand out in the crowd
• Petite and Sweet: A subtle size for the young at heart

Pumpkin carving is serious business; be sure to have a large, flat surface available before beginning. Remove all clutter and spread newspapers to make quick work of cleanup, then carefully lay out required tools including safe cutting instruments, decorations and magic markers. Children should be able to reach the pumpkin and work surface without stretching.

Take time to think about how the pumpkin should look; be sure to practice on a few sheets of paper. Allow kids the opportunity to explore funny faces or new ideas, but make sure the design they select is within their skill level. Nothing ruins a night of family fun quicker than the frustration of a really tough design. Once a decision is made about the face of the pumpkin, create a template of the design by drawing the pattern on a sheet of paper.

It is time to get down to the serious business of hollowing out the pumpkin. Begin by cutting the top of the pumpkin off at the crown. Be sure to taper the cut so the lid will fit tight when replaced. Take the lid off and scoop out the seeds inside. Remember, pumpkins are messy so plan accordingly. A big spoon, bowl, gloves, newspapers and wet wipes come in handy, but expect a mess just the same — half the fun of carving a pumpkin is the ghoulish delight of gutting a big gourd.

Once all the seeds are removed and the pumpkin is gutted, carefully wash the inside until completely clean and then wipe dry. Keep in mind the pumpkin is much more fragile now that it is hollow inside, so handle with care. It is a good idea to put the lid back on the top to help strengthen and support the pumpkin while carving; it also provides a more complete picture of the design during the planning stage. Take the template you created earlier, cut out the design and paste or tape it to the outside of the pumpkin. Once you are satisfied that everything looks the way you want, use a magic marker to trace the face to the surface of the pumpkin. It’s now time to begin carving.

Children should always be well-supervised when carving pumpkins. Use safety knives or special pumpkin carving kits instead of potentially dangerous kitchen knives. Begin by making the largest cuts first then gradually move toward more detailed areas as work progresses. Experiment with fun decorations, shapes and inserts to create something truly unique. Don’t worry about making mistakes. Pumpkin carving should be fun, so set an example by showing kids a little error adds character when it comes to carving the perfect Halloween pumpkin.

Once you are finished, it's time to celebrate by lighting up the jack-o’-lantern. This is the moment everyone has been waiting for, so make it a memorable event filled with fun and maybe a little mischief. Glow lights make great alternatives to fire-prone candles and come in a wide variety of colors including ghoulish greens, neon yellows and really eerie reds sure to delight.

Finally, don’t forget pumpkin seeds make great low-fat snacks the entire family will love. Simply separate all the icky, stringy stuff from the seeds then rinse and dry. Once completed, spread the seeds out on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt or your favorite seasoning and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, turn over, then bake again for another 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool and enjoy! It’s fast, fun and so delicious that kids won’t even know they are also nutritious!