7 Uses for Your Halloween Pumpkin

When Halloween is over, you may be wondering what to do with your old pumpkins. Well before you place them in the trash; take a look below at 7 uses for them instead. These 7 uses for your Halloween pumpkin are all fun and easy to do, and are a great way to repurpose those pumpkins. Take a look.

7 Uses for Your Halloween Pumpkin

1. Donate them to the zoo.
Animals love using pumpkins for sensory experiences. See if your local zoo is taking pumpkin donations. If so, haul them over for the animals to roll around, chew on, and play with. Large animals such as lions and tigers especially love them.

2. Feed the wildlife.
Birds and squirrels love eating pumpkins and their seeds. Chops the pumpkin up into smaller chunks and place them in your yard. Animals will find them in no time and be happy to snack on them.

3. Make a puree.
Pumpkins that aren’t rotted yet can be made into a puree. Simply remove the insides, rinse them wall, remove seeds, roast them, and add them to a food processor. Your puree can be used in baking or even for pumpkin soup.

4. Make doggie treats.
Pumpkins that are still fresh can be made into nutritious dog treats. Make a puree as mentioned above, pour the mixture into an ice cube tray, then freeze. Give the cubes to your dog to enjoy. They will love the taste and the vitamin E they are packed with.

5. Craft a planter.
If the shell is still sturdy, line the inside of the pumpkin with a plastic baggie and fill with soil and fall mums. The pumpkin can still make a great harvest themed planter you can use until Thanksgiving.

6. Create a sensory bin.
Cut up the pumpkin and pour it as well as the guts into a plastic bin. Add spoons, scoops, measuring cups, and other objects the child can use to manipulate and explore with. The end result is a slippery, slimy, sensory bin kids will love.

7. Compost them.
Place your pumpkin remains into your compost pile for some extra rich soil. Pumpkins are full of vitamins, break down quickly, and are perfect for compost.

How ever you use your pumpkin, don’t forget you can roast the pumpkin seeds. Scoop out the pumpkin seeds. If you have a grapefruit spoon it can help speed up the process. Save the seeds! Rinse them, let them dry, and then use them to make Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.

So don’t pitch that pumpkin when the trick or treating is over. Instead, choose one (or more!) of the ideas above and give your pumpkin a second life!