Spice Mines of Kessel

What do you do on a hot summer day with a hollow watermelon? Well, one might think to simply toss it in the dumpster and let the flies and the ants fight over it. However, there is is a good use for those hollow melons. It only requires a marker, a pumpkin carving kit, and a little imagination…

You make a Yoda Melon!

“When 900 years old you reach, look as good you will not.” —Yoda

It was actually quite simple. We (Christine and I) bought a $4 watermelon from the local grocery store. She already had the pumpkin carving kit, which is in the range of about $5. We also used two steak knives: one was serrated and the other was just really sharp. They did all the heavy cutting.

DISCLAIMER: Since this project requires cutting with sharp tools and utilizing knives, children are advised to be accompanied by an adult. Adults should be the only ones using the knives.

The first thing we did was draw the Yoda head on a 6×9 piece of paper. The main portion of his head was traced from a hockey puck. Then, the chin, mouth, and eyes were hand drawn (they made good reference points to draw out the ears). Then, the ears were carefully drawn at about 75% the width of the head. We figured any other details could be added once we carved out the major portion of the head shape.

This is a good time to wipe the watermelon down with a wet paper towel to get any dirt off of it.

The drawn image was cut out of the paper and taped in four places on to the melon. The paper was traced on to the watermelon with a black marker. We poked tiny holes in key spots for reference points to draw in the eyes and mouth. Then the paper was removed (draw in the areas where the tape was attached). Once we had the outline of the head on the melon, it was time to begin the carving process.

The first thing we did was cut a lid in the top of the watermelon. It was about 7 or 8 inches in diameter and was cut with a long knife for ease of removal. Then, the fun part: hollow out all of the good stuff. We put the fruit in a bowl and had a great snack later. Once the melon is nice and hollow, begin by carving out the eyes and the mouth. This is done with some of the smaller cutting tools in the pumpkin carving kit. Then, cut out the major portions above and to the left and right of the head. These portions were removed with the sharp steak knife.

Now that the design is in the watermelon, details can be added to enhance Yoda’s face. We didn’t get too fancy, but we did some detail work on the ears with the inside of the ears. All we did for that part was use the sharp knife and shave the thin layer of dark green skin from the melon. This can be done anywhere other details, such as wrinkles, are to be added. If you happen to notice any marker lines in your design, they can easily be removed by this method.

Once you’re satisfied, you’re done. Eat the tasty fruit you removed from the melon and enjoy your newly created Yoda Melon.

“How do you get so big eating food of this kind?” —Yoda

For an evening effect, we decided to go to Wal-Mart and buy a $0.33 candle. Drop the candle in the melon, light it, and you get a nicely lit Yoda Melon. Notice how the places where the skin is shaved off allow some of the light to pass through and are enhanced. It makes for a neat effect.