SPOOKY SEASON
No knives, no mess and no racing the rot before Halloween. Here’s why paint markers are a dorm-friendly way to decorate, plus more ways to get into the spooky spirit around DelVal.
By Isabella Gibilante
Aggie Insider Multimedia Reporter
Is carving pumpkins way too messy for you?
Do you live on campus and not have the room for it?
Is it annoying to wait until a few days before Halloween to carve, just so your pumpkin doesn’t go bad?
Then this story is for you.
I personally find carving pumpkins way too messy. I don’t live on campus, but I can imagine it would be hard to carve pumpkins in a dorm if you wanted to get into the Halloween spirit. And if you’re as excited for spooky season as I am, you don’t want to wait until a few days before Halloween to get cute, spooky pumpkins out.
Why painting wins
Painting pumpkins is so much fun. Because you never cut into them, you can paint them a month in advance or any time during spooky season, and they’ll still be good on Halloween.
Paint can be messy too, so I use paint markers. They work great on pumpkins, they’re easier to control than a brush, and they don’t take nearly as long to dry.
🎃 Your pumpkin-painting kit
- Pumpkins: Small, medium or big — any size works
- Paint markers: Less mess than brushes, and they dry fast
- The vibe: A Halloween movie on in the background, or a spot outside to enjoy fall
- Your people: It’s so much fun to do with friends and family
More ways to get spooky
Want more Halloween ideas on or near DelVal’s campus? Here are a few of my favorites.
On campus
- 🎬 Scary movie night. Grab fall treats like apple cider or Halloween candy, and light some fall-scented candles (flameless ones if you’re in a dorm).
- 🚪 Decorate your dorm door.
- 👻 Ghost photos. Throw a white sheet or blanket over your head, draw on a face or add sunglasses, and pose around campus. If you’ve seen the trend online, you know how funny it is.
- 🎮 Scary video games. Again, grab some fall-themed snacks for the group.
- ✂️ Fall arts and crafts.
- 🏈 Homecoming weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there’s a tailgate tent and Student Farmers Market on the basketball court next to James Work Memorial Stadium. Football kicks off at 1 p.m.
Off campus
A short drive
Solebury Orchards
Pick apples or pick up pumpkins and apple cider.
Isabella’s tip: They have the best apple cider and apple cider doughnuts.
Runs until Nov 1
Open Thursday-Sundays
A bit farther
Shady Brook Farm
The farm’s Fall Fest is one of my favorites. The Halloween light hayride isn’t spooky, but it’s so much fun.
You can also roast marshmallows for s’mores.
Isabella’s tip: It’s cheaper to buy tickets online before arrival
Runs until October 30th
About 2 hours away
Hersheypark
I think it has the best Halloween vibes, and I go every year.
Dark Nights brings haunted houses, scare zones and fall treats on weekends through Halloween.