Paper Plate Jack-O-Lantern Sun Catchers Inspired by “Stumpkin”

“Stumpkin” by Ruth Cummins

Stumpkin is a pumpkin who is missing his stem and is worried that because of it he won’t be picked at the pumpkin stand by someone to become a jack-o-lantern. Things look pretty bleak for a bit, but the happy resolution is purely delightful.

The illustrations have a limited color palette and use a lot of negative space for a very retro and minimalist feel.  I absolutely adore it.  It is also fun to note that the people are all in dark silhouette form.  Such a beautiful book.

Stumpkin has stolen our hearts and now my kids are excited everytime they see a pumpkin without a stem.

Click here to purchase “Stumpkin” *affiliate link

Paper Plate Jack-O-Lantern Sun Catchers

We are so in love with Stumpkin!  One of our favorite parts of the story is how the windows across the street slowly fill up with jack-o-lanterns and holiday fun.   The idea of windows filled with smiling jack-o-lanterns was so appealing that of course we had to fill our windows with some smiling friends of our own.  That is how this Hallwoeen sun catcher craft was born.

Supplies:

• orange paper plates (or you can paint your own plates orange)
• green construction paper
• yellow tissue paper
• scissors
• glue

Process:

• Cut a jack-o-lantern face out of the center of your orange plate.
• Flip your plate over and glue pieces of yellow tissue paper (that you previously cut to roughly the same size as the opening) to cover the facial openings.
• Cut a stem out of your green construction paper.
• Glue the green stem to the top of your orange plate. (On the reverse side like you did with the tissue paper.)

My kids and I had so much fun with this quick and easy craft and we are so thrilled to have them up on our window for Halloween.  We even made one with a little stumpy stem in honor of our dear Stumpkin.  It was a huge hit and I am sure that we will be making them for Halloweens to come.

If you give this “Beyond the Book” activity a try I’d love to hear how it goes! Share it on Instagram and tag me! (I’m on Instagram as @book.nerd.mommy) Or even just comment here with your thoughts, it would make my day! Or to save this activity for later pin the image below.