I have always been impressed when I have seen watermelon carved into delightful centerpieces — like this dinosaur.  Imagine my delight when I stumbled across the National Watermelon Promotional Board website.  Their purpose is to increase the demand for fresh watermelon.

Huzzah!  I can totally support them in their endeavors.

They have delightful pictures (and directions) on how to make watermelon carvings like a submarine, a ‘lips and love’ basket (I love the big lips!), a pig, a turtle, a treasure chest, and even a hedgehog.  (My youngest son would really like this hedgehog!)

They also have recipes like a watermelon pizza supreme, watermelon in a blanket (like pigs in a blanket), frosted watermelon, and watermelon walnut bagel spread.  They all look and sound so yummy!

Their site makes me want to carve a melon and make some watermelon treats.  Right now!!

If you have older grandchildren, you could have a watermelon carving contest with them.  You can show them some of the ideas from this site.   Or they could brainstorm and come up with their own idea.  You could give prizes for the most creative, intricate, funny, or scary.  Be sure to take pictures of their end product.  Then, make some of the watermelon recipes with the left over scraps — or from extra melons.

August 3rd is National Watermelon Day.  You can start preparing for it now by practicing your carving and cooking skills.

You could also make a whole day of watermelon activities:

• Willy Watermelon
• A watermelon picnic caddy and watermelon cookies
• Watermelon paper plate craft
• Watermelon letter holder
• Watermelon window cling
• Watermelon earrings (my favorite!)

What watermelon activities have you done with your grandchildren?