Finding Dory Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party Tips & Fun Jello Treats
Throwing a Finding Dory Themed Halloween Party
I absolutely adore Halloween. It’s my second favorite time of year, right after my husband’s favorite season. It’s also the time of year when my seven-year-old has his birthday. So, naturally, we go all out to celebrate. We love throwing a big Halloween and birthday party, filled with treats, spooks, and activities. This year, we decided to go with a Finding Dory theme, especially since the movie was just released on Blu-ray. Here are some tips and tricks to throwing your own Finding Dory Halloween party.
Learning from the Master Pumpkin Carver
We had the chance to learn from Master Pumpkin Carver, Joseph Yakovetic, and I must admit, my pumpkin carving skills were not as good as I thought they were. Here are some tips straight from the master himself.
Finding the Perfect Pumpkin
Tip 1: Joseph emphasizes the importance of finding a pumpkin with a healthy stem. The stem still has nutrients that feed the pumpkin and keep it healthy.
Carving Your Dory-Themed Pumpkin
Now, let’s move on to the fun part – designing and carving your pumpkin. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Printable/Color Page
- Transfer Paper
- Pen/Pencil
- Sharpie
- 2-4 Push Pins
- Baby Wipes
- Paint (colors depend on project)
Getting Started with Pumpkin Carving
Tip 2: Joseph recommends not cutting the stem off the top. Doing so can cause the pumpkin to die earlier. Instead, cut a hole out in the back of your pumpkin. This will help it last longer and make it easier to light.
Once you’ve done this, you can start carving. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Clean your pumpkin well with a wipe.
- Pin your selected design, backed by tracing paper, to your pumpkin. Trace every line with your pen or pencil.
- Remove the papers and follow outlines with a permanent marker. You may need to clean your marker now and then to keep it fresh.
- Use baby wipes to clean off the surface from graphite paper, leaving only the permanent marker lines.
- Paint any areas you want to be colored.
- Take your carving utensil and outline the outside of the design.
- Pick areas that you will scrape out. For Dory, we scraped out the eyes and teeth.
Pumpkin Maintenance Tips
Tip 3: Use an old CD to clean out your pumpkin. The larger surface area and curve make cleaning out pumpkins a breeze. According to Joseph, you can clean a pumpkin in just 30 seconds with this method.
Tip 4: Don’t let your pumpkin sit directly on the pavement. Instead, use a trivet or table to keep it elevated. Bring it in each night to help it stay healthier longer.
Fun Finding Dory Activities
Of course, a Finding Dory Halloween party wouldn’t be complete without some themed activities. Did you know that the summer blockbuster hit, Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory,” swam home just in time for the holidays? It’s now available on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) on Oct. 25 and on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on Nov. 15. You and your guests can watch Dory’s hilarious and heartwarming quest to find her family and continue the underwater adventure with hours of immersive bonus features.
Create a Fun Dory-Themed Jello Dessert
What’s a party without food? Here’s a fun and simple Finding Dory themed dessert recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 Boxes Dory Jello
- 6 Cups of Water
- 1 Bag Swedish Fish
Fill your cup a quarter of the way and put it in the fridge for about 1 1/2 hours. Then, add a few fish and fill a little more. Repeat until the cup is full. You will need to let your Jello sit about 4 hours before it is ready to eat.
With these tips, your Finding Dory Halloween party is sure to be a hit. Happy planning!
| Halloween/Birthday Party Extravaganza |
| — |
| **Activities** | Carving Pumpkins, Watching “Finding Dory” |
| **Master Pumpkin Carver** | Joseph Yakovetc |
| **Pumpkin Carving Tips** | 1. Find a pumpkin with a healthy stem to feed the pumpkin and keep it healthy. 2. Don’t cut the stem off the top, instead cut a hole in the back for longer life and easier lighting. 3. Use an old CD to clean out your pumpkin for quick and easy cleaning. 4. Don’t let your pumpkin sit directly on the pavement, use a trivet or table for elevation and bring it in each night to keep it healthier longer. |
| **Pumpkin Carving Materials** | Printable/Color Page, Transfer Paper, Pen/Pencil, Sharpie, 2-4 Push Pins, Baby Wipes, Paint |
| **”Finding Dory” Blu-ray Release Date** | Nov. 15 |
| **Fun “Finding Dory” Activity** | Creating a fun Jello dessert with Dory Jello and Swedish Fish |
| **Other Party Activities** | Interviews with Mads Mikkelsen, Scott Derrickson, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Ben & Lauren from “Happily Ever After” |
Finding Dory Halloween Party Decorations
Setting the scene for your Finding Dory Halloween party is crucial. You’ll want to create an underwater ambiance that is both spooky and reminiscent of the movie. Start by choosing a color scheme that reflects the ocean, like various shades of blue and green, with pops of bright coral colors. You can use these colors in tablecloths, streamers, and balloons.
Next, create an underwater backdrop with blue and green streamers hanging from the ceiling. You can also add cutouts of fish, coral, and other ocean creatures. Don’t forget to include Dory and her friends. You can find printable cutouts online or purchase them from a party store.
For a Halloween twist, add some spooky elements. Think about incorporating ghostly jellyfish made from white balloons and crepe paper, or creepy seaweed made from green streamers. You could also hang some “beware of sharks” signs around the party area.
Themed Party Games
Keep your little guests entertained with a variety of Finding Dory themed party games. Here are a few ideas:
Pin the Fin on Nemo
Just like the classic game of pin the tail on the donkey, but with a Finding Dory twist. Print out a large picture of Nemo and cut out several “fins” from orange construction paper. Blindfold each child, spin them around, and let them try to pin the fin on Nemo.
Dory’s Memory Game
As we all know, Dory has a hard time remembering things. In this game, children will test their memory skills. Place several objects on a tray and let the children look at them for a minute. Then cover the tray and ask the children to write down as many objects as they can remember.
Underwater Treasure Hunt
Hide several “underwater treasures” (small toys or candies) around the party area and let the children go on a treasure hunt. You could also provide clues or a map for added fun.
Finding Dory Costumes
Encourage your guests to come dressed as their favorite Finding Dory character. There are plenty of costumes available online, or you can make your own. Some popular choices include Dory, Nemo, Marlin, Hank the octopus, and Bailey the beluga whale.
Finding Dory Party Favors
Send your guests home with a fun memory of the party. You could give out Finding Dory goody bags filled with small toys, stickers, and candies. You could also include a copy of the movie, a Dory-themed coloring book, or even a small plush toy of one of the characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What food should I serve at a Finding Dory Halloween party?
Consider serving seafood-themed snacks, like goldfish crackers, sushi rolls, or fish-shaped sandwiches. You could also make a blue punch to resemble the ocean and serve it with fish-shaped ice cubes. And don’t forget about the Finding Dory themed Jello dessert!
What music should I play at a Finding Dory Halloween party?
The Finding Dory soundtrack would be an excellent choice, but you could also play other ocean-themed songs or even some spooky Halloween tunes.
How can I make my Finding Dory Halloween party educational?
Include some fun facts about ocean life and the different types of fish featured in the movie. You could also show a short documentary about the ocean or play a game where children have to guess the names of different fish.
What age group is a Finding Dory Halloween party suitable for?
A Finding Dory Halloween party can be enjoyed by children of all ages, but it’s particularly suitable for children aged 3-10. The movie’s themes of friendship, family, and perseverance are universally relatable, and the colorful, undersea world of Finding Dory is sure to captivate children’s imaginations.
With these tips, your Finding Dory Halloween party is sure to be a memorable event that your guests will talk about for years to come. So dive in and start planning your undersea adventure today!
Frequently Asked Questions about Throwing a Finding Dory Themed Halloween Party
1. What is the best way to carve a pumpkin for a Finding Dory themed Halloween party?
The best way to carve a pumpkin for a Finding Dory themed Halloween party is to first find a pumpkin with a healthy stem. Then, instead of cutting the stem off the top, cut a hole out in the back of your pumpkin. This will help it last longer and make it easier to light. You can then carve your design, following the step-by-step guide provided in the main article.
2. What are some Finding Dory themed activities for a Halloween party?
Some fun Finding Dory themed activities for a Halloween party include watching the movie, which is available on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) as well as on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand. Additionally, you can make a fun Dory-themed Jello dessert using Dory Jello and Swedish Fish.
3. How do I make a Dory-themed Jello dessert?
To make a Dory-themed Jello dessert, you need two boxes of Dory Jello, six cups of water, and a bag of Swedish Fish. Fill your cup a quarter of the way and put it in the fridge for about 1 1/2 hours. Then, add a few fish and fill a little more. Repeat until the cup is full. You will need to let your Jello sit about 4 hours before it is ready to eat.
4. Any tips for maintaining a carved pumpkin?
Yes, use an old CD to clean out your pumpkin as the larger surface area and curve make cleaning out pumpkins efficient. Also, don’t let your pumpkin sit directly on the pavement. Instead, use a trivet or table to keep it elevated. Bring it in each night to help it stay healthier longer.
Pumpkin Carving Materials Checklist
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Printable/Color Page | 1 |
| Transfer Paper | 1 |
| Pen/Pencil | 1 |
| Sharpie | 1 |
| Push Pins | 2-4 |
| Baby Wipes | As needed |
| Paint (colors depend on project) | As needed |
Dory-Themed Jello Dessert Recipe
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Dory Jello | 2 Boxes |
| Water | 6 Cups |
| Swedish Fish | 1 Bag |
