October has a way of making even an ordinary evening feel a little more magical. Porch lights glow, pumpkins appear on front steps, and neighborhoods fill with just enough spooky fun to make an evening walk feel like an adventure.
This month, I’ve put together two simple ways to enjoy the season: a neighborhood Halloween scavenger hunt and a few helpful tips for choosing a pumpkin that will last.
Take a Neighborhood Halloween Adventure
You don’t need an elaborate plan to make a fun fall memory. Print the scavenger hunt, grab a pencil and take a walk through your neighborhood to see how many Halloween sights you can spot.
Look for jack-o’-lanterns, spider webs, ghosts, black cats and other spooky surprises along the way. Make it a family competition, work together as a team or bring it along when you visit a fall festival or decorated neighborhood.
A few ways to make it even more fun:
- Head out just before sunset so you can watch the decorations begin to glow.
- Bring flashlights or glow sticks if you’ll be walking after dark.
- Let everyone choose one “bonus” item to add to the hunt.
- Finish the evening with warm cider, hot chocolate or a favorite fall treat.
- Take a picture of the most creative display you find—without photographing anyone’s address.
Please stay on sidewalks, supervise little ones and admire decorations from the street unless you’ve been invited closer.
Let’s Pick the Perfect Pumpkin
Whether you’re carving a silly face, creating a porch display or simply adding a little autumn color to your home, choosing the right pumpkin can help it look beautiful longer.
Pick a Winner
Choose a pumpkin that:
- Feels firm and heavy for its size.
- Has an intact, sturdy stem.
- Is free from soft spots, cracks, deep cuts and signs of mold.
- Has a smooth, evenly colored surface with a flatter side if you plan to carve it.
Always carry your pumpkin from the bottom rather than by the stem. Even a sturdy-looking stem can break under the pumpkin’s weight.
Help It Last
Once you bring your pumpkin home:
- Keep it somewhere cool and shaded until you are ready to carve.
- Wash the outside and dry it thoroughly before carving.
- Lightly coat the freshly cut edges with petroleum jelly to help slow moisture loss.
- Use a battery-operated candle to reduce heat inside the pumpkin.
- Move carved pumpkins out of direct afternoon sun whenever possible—especially during our warmer Oklahoma Octobers.
However you decorate it, make it perfectly yours.
Make a Little Room for Fun
Some of the best seasonal traditions are also the simplest: a walk around the neighborhood, a pumpkin chosen together or an ordinary evening made memorable with a little imagination.
I hope this scavenger hunt adds some easy Halloween fun to your October. If you use it, I’d love to hear what your family spotted first!
Happy pumpkin season!
Haley
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