Pumpkin season is here and while carving pumpkins is a classic tradition for many, there are so many other fun (and less messy!) ways to decorate pumpkins with your kids. Whether you’re looking for an after-school craft or a cozy weekend project, these creative pumpkin ideas are perfect for all ages. And bonus, no pumpkin guts and no sharp tools required!
Let them Draw!
Sometimes the simplest idea is the best one. Hand your kids some permanent markers or paint pens and let them go wild decorating their pumpkins! They can draw silly faces, spooky scenes or even write their names. It’s an easy, no-mess way to let their creativity shine and it’s a cute addition to the porch when they have their own “art pumpkin.”
Handprint or Footprint Pumpkins
Turn your little one’s handprint into a temporary seasonal keepsake!
Simply paint their hand (or foot for babies!) with acrylic paint and press it onto the pumpkin. You can turn the prints into ghosts, spiders, turkeys, or even a family tree.
Melted Crayon Pumpkins
A little color magic! Peel the paper off old crayons, break them into pieces, and glue them around the pumpkin’s stem. Use a hair dryer to melt the crayons, and watch the color drip down for a rainbow effect your kids will love! Tip: White or light-colored pumpkins show off the colors best!
Sticker or Washi Tape Pumpkins
This one’s perfect for toddlers! Give them a sheet of stickers (Halloween, fall leaves, or even sparkly stars) and let them decorate freely. For older kids, use washi tape to make stripes, patterns, or even pumpkin faces.
Glow-in-the-Dark Pumpkins
Add some spooky fun with glow-in-the-dark paint or stickers. Kids can paint ghosts, stars, or their names on pumpkins and then watch them light up at night. Tip: Charge the paint or stickers up with a flashlight before taking them out in the dark!
Nature-Inspired Pumpkins
Take a walk around the neighborhood or a local park and collect leaves, sticks, pinecones, etc. Use craft glue to attach your finds to the pumpkin for a rustic, nature-inspired look.
Pumpkin Animals
Turn pumpkins into your kids’ favorite animals! Stack smaller pumpkins for a snowman-style animal, or add paper ears, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes. Think: black cat, owl, or even a unicorn! Use felt or construction paper to make reusable features you can stick on with tape.
Chalkboard Pumpkins
Paint a pumpkin with chalkboard paint and let your kids draw (and erase!) new designs all season long. It’s perfect for changing messages from “Happy Fall” to “Trick or Treat!” Tip: This one might work best with a fake pumpkin
We’d love to see your pumpkin masterpieces. Tag @ColumbusMomsNetwork on Instagram so we can feature your fall fun!
