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Crafts: Apple head carving apples Native American art | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Seasonal Crafts: Apple Heads

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Make This Festive Fall Craft!

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During autumn, apples are a plenty in the orchard! Try out this fun fall craft to celebrate the season! The art of making apple heads is easy and fun! (And maybe a little creepy, too.) Follow these easy instructions for a creative fall craft.

How to Make an Apple Head

This fall craft is perfect for September or October—just in time for Halloween and Thanksgiving!

  1. The apple will shrink, so start by choosing a large, firm one. We like Granny Smith apples for their firmness. 
     
  2. Peel the apple first. (You can leave a little skin on the top.) 
     
  3. Then, with a sharp knife, form the nose, make eye sockets, and cut a line for the mouth. You can “sketch” lightly first.
     
  4. Carve around the mouth to accentuate the cheeks, and make some lines around the eyes and on the forehead. Try to make the features super exaggerated because the apple will shrivel up.
     
  5. Soak the head in lemon juice for about 1/2 hour (so it doesn’t turn brown) before hanging it to dry.
     
  6. To dry in a warm climate, you could stake them on a skewer, but it will take a few days which might encourage mold. The fastest way to dry is to simply put them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and set in the oven on low heat (175°F). Keep an eye on them. A food dehydrator is another option. 
     
  7. When the head is almost dry, add peppercorn or bean eyes. Or raisins or cloves!  Use your imagination to make some hair and a body to go with the head.

Have you ever made an apple head? Tell us all about it!

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprise that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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