If you are looking for a simple and fun craft to do with the kids, then look no further than the classic Apple Shrunken Head Craft. I remember doing this in class as a little girl and getting so excited to watch my carved apple transform into a shriveled up little face. The best part is that no two apples turn out the same, it’s inexpensive, and anyone can do it. I am the room mom this year in my oldest son’s first grade class and I am going to do this with the kids next week.  Here’s how to do it!

• Peel your apples. I prefer Granny Smith, but a variety of apples will provide different results.
• Draw a face on the peeled apple with a pencil or marker to map out the places to carve. You can skip this step if you want to free hand cut the apple face.
• Carve away at the apple to sculpt a face. Be sure to carve off all marker or pencil. Kids can carve with a plastic knife with adult supervision. I have also let the children use Play Doh utensils for different effects.
• Next, you need to make a mixture of 1 CUP Lemon Juice and 1 TBSP of salt.
• Spoon Lemon Mixture over your carved apples
• You can use uncooked grains of rice for teeth and a bead or a seed for little eyes.
• Poke the bottom of the apple with a stick. You can use a pencil, stick from outside, anything you have available.
• Place the apple heads upright on their sticks in a DRY, WARM environment. Each day they will transform with the final process taking 1 -2 weeks.

I know the kids will be so excited to bring their creation home and display it for everyone to see. Pictured above is a simple, yet effective, way to display a group of Apple Heads. Just fill any glass bowl with river rocks and top with moss to create an eerie decoration. You could use anything in the bowl, like candycorns, pinecones, or anything your creative little heart desires.