Jack-o-lanterns are so much more than just slicing in a scary face these days.

You can paint them, dress them up, carve them or even turn them into little temporary homages to your fav politicians if you want.

Here are a few ideas for some unique (and kid friendly) jack-o-lanterns...

Turn your pumpkin into a Mr Potato Head like jack-o-lantern with the toddler-friendly Pumpkin Parts Decorating Kit ($12.99, partycity.com).

This kit makes it easy for the whole family to get in on the action together without making a big mess. You can even put multiple faces on one pumpkin because the kit comes with a whole bunch of scary, spooky and cooky eyes, ears, mouths and noses. It's a great tool to use with little ones learning body parts while you're at it. My girls had a great time making theirs! (see top photo)

Horton Hears A Who fans will want to check out THIS page for lots of fun and free Halloween activities including a pattern to easily dress up your pumpkin as Horton. It's really cute.

Free stencil patterns for painting or carving works of art into your pumpkin can be found at these sites:

• FamilyFun.com has lots of free patterns from cats to moons from painted to carved faces.
• Free election-related pumpkin stencils are at Beloblog.com has Sarah Palin, Obama, donkeys and elephants - you name it (see photo below of some of the political patterns).
• Super elaborate fantasy pumpkin patterns, like Star Wars and dragons can be found at fantasypumpkins.com.
• GeekTonic.com has a list of dozens more free pumpkin templates if you want to get fancy this Halloween

Or you could kick it old school like I have done in the past and just make a simple pumpkin cat (see photo).

You just slice out triangle eyes and use toothpicks to make those into ears. Then slice out a little nose and mouth. I like to carve or use markers on the back to note the year too. (see photo right).