August’s Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol heralds the season of apple-based amusements. So why not carve out some core time with your family and enjoy these picks?

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Core Candle Holders

Supplies:

• Apple corer
• 2 apples with flat bottoms
• Pen
• Paring knife
• Paintbrush
• Lemon juice
• 2 votive candles
• Waxed paper

What to do:

1. Use an apple corer to cut vertically halfway through the core of each apple. Carefully remove each core half, leaving the remaining portion of each apple intact.
2. With a pen, draw a design (hearts, stripes, zigzags, etc.) around the skin of the apple.
3. Use a paring knife to carve out the design.
4. With a paintbrush, apply lemon juice to the carved parts of each apple to prevent browning.
5. Place a votive candle into each partially hollowed-out core. Use a knife to widen the holes or, if the holes are too large, wrap waxed paper around the candles.

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Pared-Down Puppets

Supplies:

• Apple with stem
• Apple corer
• Paring knife
• Lemon juice
• String
• Glove

What to do:

1. With the apple turned upside down, remove the bottom half of the core using an apple corer. Leave upper stem intact.
2. Use a paring knife to cut away the skin of the apple in a smooth, circular direction.
3. Cut out facial features, making sure you leave enough room between them because the apple will shrink as it dries.
4. Soak the apple face in lemon juice for 10 minutes to prevent browning.
5. Tie a string around the stem and hang in an undisturbed location where nothing can touch it for three weeks. Let dry.
6. As it begins to dry, occasionally redefine the facial features.
7. Once dry, remove the stem.
8. Place a glove in your hand and insert your middle finger into the bottom where the apple core was partially removed. Use your thumb and pinky finger to create arms. Then put on a play.

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Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines, and the mother of three children and four grandchildren.