This time of year is always my favourite: the smell of fresh, crisp, fall evenings in the air,  the changing colour of the leaves, apple picking, pumpkin patches, apple cider and bonfires -what’s not to love? We also start planning for Halloween, and the fun that it brings, including for those with food allergies.

Check out this ombre pumpkin tablescape

The Teal Pumpkin Project

Trick-or-treating should be fun and safe for all, but kids with food allergies can feel left out. The Teal Pumpkin project brings awareness to the issue of food allergies, by asking people to display a teal pumpkin and supply trinkets and toys instead of treats. The Teal Pumpkin Project makes Halloween safer and more inclusive.

We are happy to support this project by bringing awareness to it, and painting our pumpkins in Fusion’s Azure.

It’s easy to paint pumpkins! Get your kids, a brush and some Fusion Mineral Paint and start painting! 

What you’ll need to paint a teal pumpkin

• Fusion’s Azure
• Staalmeester brushes
• Drop cloth or paper to protect whatever surface you’re painting on
• Pumpkins – real or fake

Painting a Teal Pumpkin

STEP 1
PREP

Because fake and real pumpkins can get coated in all kinds of things in transit, we always recommend giving them a quick wash with TSP, but Fusion adheres so well that you could easily forego it.

STEP 2
PAINTING TECHNIQUE

We recommend painting the pumpkin in sections, from top to bottom, to avoid brush strokes that can appear if going side to side, top to bottom and all around. It’s always best to paint in one direction.

Check out our tutorial on avoiding brushstrokes

The colour contrast between an orange pumpkin and Fusion’s Azure is quite striking!

STEP 3
SECOND COAT

Depending on whether you’re painting real or faux pumpkins – and even then, foam or plastic – you might need 2 coats for solid coverage, so plan accordingly when purchasing paint.

There’s always something to be said for the beauty and uniqueness of a real pumpkin though, so mix it up! Try both.

Sharing Your Teal Pumpkin

If you’d like to spread awareness, there are many resources available, including a free downloadable sign and other printables. 

Download a sign to display in your windows to show that you support this cause. Print some flyers and hand them out at your children’s school to bring awareness. 

Non-food treat Ideas

You can find some great ideas for non-food treats and trinkets on the Food Allergy site, but a few great ideas include:

• Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
• Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
• Bubbles
• Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
• Mini Slinkies
• Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
• Bouncy balls
• Finger puppets or novelty toys
• Coins
• Spider rings
• Vampire fangs

Drop into your nearest merchant and grab a little pot of inspiration in “Azure” and make a difference for some well-deserving trick-or-treaters!

If you paint a teal pumpkin using any of our shades, make sure you share it in the Paint It Beautiful Facebook group.