Throw a pumpkin-chucking party

Listen to this fun radio story about pumpking-chucking! (MP3 download)

Once the excitement of Halloween has passed, it's time to dispose of your pumpkins. However, pumpkins are too much fun to simply toss in the trash. Instead, treat your family to a pumpkin-chucking party! When you make your own versions of the medieval machines called trebuchets, you can turn your pumpkins into homemade missiles. This activity is guaranteed to entertain both the young and the young-at-heart. The explosion of pulp and seeds can be quite messy, but launching your pumpkins into your pond can help minimize the amount of cleanup required after your display of backyard ballistics.

Radio Interview Source: Danny Carroll, owner, Carroll's Pumpkin Farm

To learn more about hosting a pumpkin-chucking party, check out the following Web sites:

Trebuchet: Learn more about how to construct what has been referred to as the "atomic bomb" of the Middle Ages.

Pumpkin Carving Instructions: Tips on turning your pumpkins into artistic masterpieces that will impress partygoers of all ages.

Controlling Stain and Germ Gremlins: Since a pumpkin-chucking party is a messy affair, take a look at these tips for removing pumpkin stains from your clothing.