Pumpkins are the heart of Halloween decorating, and they’re more versatile than ever. Beyond traditional carving, there are countless ways to transform pumpkins into charming, spooky, or downright stunning creations. Whether you’re crafting with young children, working on a quick DIY after work, or tackling a more advanced project, pumpkin crafts can bring seasonal magic to any home. From kid-friendly crafts made with paper plates to functional designs like luminaries and planters, these ideas cover every skill level and style.
Below, you’ll find 17 creative pumpkin crafts with step-by-step instructions, estimated time, materials, and creative twists to try.
Paper Plate Pumpkins
Paper plate pumpkins are a classic Halloween craft that preschoolers and young children absolutely love. Using simple supplies like paper plates, orange paint or tissue paper, and black construction paper, this project comes together quickly and with little mess. It’s a great way to introduce kids to seasonal art while keeping things fun and easy.
Once the plate is painted or covered with tissue paper squares, children can cut and glue shapes for the jack-o’-lantern’s eyes, nose, and mouth. A twisted green pipe cleaner adds the perfect stem.
This craft encourages creativity since every pumpkin can look different—silly, spooky, or even sparkly if you add glitter. It’s budget-friendly, kid-safe, and perfect for group activities at home or in a classroom.
Handprint Ghost Pumpkins
Handprint ghost pumpkins are both adorable and sentimental, as they capture a child’s handprint in a seasonal design. All you need is a small pumpkin, white paint, and a black marker, making it simple and inexpensive to create.
Children dip their hand in paint and press it onto the pumpkin’s surface, leaving behind a ghostly imprint. Once dry, faces can be drawn onto the prints with a marker, turning little hands into floating Halloween ghosts.
This project is especially fun for families since each child’s ghost will look unique. It’s a keepsake-worthy craft that works well for decorating porches, classrooms, or tabletops with a personal touch.
Puffy Cotton Ball Ghost Pumpkins
Puffy cotton ball ghost pumpkins combine texture and imagination for a fun hands-on craft. This activity works best with small craft pumpkins or even paper pumpkin cutouts, giving plenty of flexibility based on what’s available.
Children glue cotton balls over the pumpkin’s surface to create a fluffy, cloud-like texture. Felt cutouts for eyes and a mouth finish the look, creating a friendly or spooky ghost depending on preference.
It’s a tactile project that younger kids enjoy since it involves sticking and pressing rather than complex cutting. With older children, you can swap in cotton batting for smoother coverage. Either way, it’s an engaging, low-cost Halloween craft that doubles as charming décor.
Pumpkin Seed Mosaics
Pumpkin seed mosaics are a colorful, slightly more advanced craft that gives older children a chance to experiment with design. Dried pumpkin seeds are painted in different colors, turning a basic supply into vibrant crafting pieces.
Once painted, the seeds are glued onto cardboard cutouts in pumpkin shapes, filling the design like a mosaic. Children can follow simple outlines or create more detailed patterns depending on their skill level.
This activity helps develop patience, pattern recognition, and fine motor skills. For added flair, metallic or glitter paints can make the mosaic pumpkins shine. It’s a rewarding craft for kids who enjoy detail-oriented projects.
Toilet Paper Roll Monsters with Pumpkin Bodies
This craft combines recycling with Halloween fun by turning toilet paper rolls into pumpkin-bodied monsters. With orange paint, googly eyes, and bits of paper or markers for facial features, kids can create their own cast of silly or spooky characters.
The rolls are first painted orange and left to dry. Then, children decorate them with eyes, mouths, and even yarn hair or paper arms. Each monster looks different, allowing plenty of room for imagination and storytelling.
For an extra twist, place a glow stick inside to make them light up in the dark. This activity is safe, budget-friendly, and perfect for preschoolers or elementary kids looking for a fun seasonal project.
Coffee Filter Bats with Pumpkin Stands
Coffee filter bats with pumpkin stands are a simple but striking decoration. Using coffee filters, black paint, and small pumpkins, children can craft flying bats that perch right on top of their pumpkin base.
To make them, paint the coffee filters black and let them dry before folding into wing shapes. These wings are then attached to pumpkins with tape or glue, instantly transforming each pumpkin into a bat companion.
The craft is fun, quick, and flexible. Kids can draw faces on the pumpkins to add personality, creating a whole colony of cheerful or spooky bats for a Halloween display.
Q-Tip Skeleton Pumpkins
Q-tip skeleton pumpkins are a creative mix of painting and arranging small pieces. A pumpkin painted black serves as the base, while Q-tips cut to size become the “bones” of the skeleton.
Children glue Q-tips onto the pumpkin in fun positions—standing tall, dancing, or even waving. A small white paper circle adds the head, with drawn-on facial features to complete the skeleton design.
This craft is great for elementary-aged children, as it teaches spatial awareness while keeping the steps simple. Glow-in-the-dark paint or stickers can be added for extra Halloween flair.
Egg Carton Spiders on Pumpkins
Egg carton spiders are a classic Halloween craft, and pairing them with pumpkins makes the display even more festive. Painted egg carton sections form the spider’s body, while pipe cleaners become bendable legs.
After attaching googly eyes, the spiders can be placed directly on top of pumpkins or glued in place for a sturdier decoration. Kids love bending the legs into crawling positions, making each spider unique.
This project encourages imaginative play while also improving fine motor skills. For an added spooky touch, use glow-in-the-dark paint for the spider bodies or eyes.
Paper Bag Pumpkins
Paper bag pumpkins are a classic Halloween craft that combine simplicity with charm. Start by stuffing a brown paper bag with newspaper or tissue to give it a round shape. Twist the top and secure it with a pipe cleaner or string to create the stem.
Once the basic pumpkin form is ready, kids can paint the bag orange and add details like black triangles for eyes or a jagged mouth. It’s an easy way to mimic a jack-o’-lantern without carving.
This craft is ideal for younger children since it requires only safe, everyday materials. Parents can also get creative by experimenting with different bag sizes to make a whole patch of paper pumpkins.
Yarn-Wrapped Mummies
Yarn-wrapped mummies turn a simple pumpkin into a fun, spooky decoration. Begin by painting the pumpkin white or leaving it natural for contrast. Then, wrap white yarn or string around the pumpkin, leaving small gaps for eyes.
Glue or stick on googly eyes in one of the open spaces, giving the pumpkin its playful mummy face. The wrapped yarn instantly creates the illusion of gauze bandages.
This activity is quick and engaging, making it perfect for families who want a craft that looks great but doesn’t take much time. It’s also easy to adapt for different sizes of pumpkins, from mini gourds to larger ones.
Sponge-Stamped Pumpkins
Sponge-stamped pumpkins are a fun and mess-friendly art project for kids. Cut a sponge into the shape of a pumpkin and dip it into orange paint. Press it onto paper or cardstock to create multiple pumpkin prints.
Children can add details like stems, vines, or faces with markers or paintbrushes once the prints dry. The repetition of stamping makes it satisfying and allows for creative patterns.
This craft is perfect for preschoolers and early elementary-aged kids because it emphasizes simple shapes and repetition. Parents can also use the prints as seasonal decorations, greeting cards, or gift tags.
Paper Strip Witches’ Hats on Pumpkins
Paper strip witches’ hats are a playful way to dress up pumpkins. Cut black construction paper into thin strips and glue them together to form a cone shape for the hat. Add a circular brim to complete the look.
Place or tape the hat on top of a pumpkin, giving it a whimsical witchy vibe. Kids can decorate the hats with glitter, stickers, or even a paper buckle to add personality.
This project is a great way to combine paper crafting with pumpkin decorating. It’s simple enough for younger children but still leaves plenty of room for creativity, making it a fun addition to any Halloween display.
Bubble Wrap Printing – Pumpkin Patch
Bubble wrap printing is a clever way to create a textured pumpkin patch. Begin by cutting bubble wrap into oval shapes that resemble pumpkins. Dip the bumpy side into orange paint and press it onto paper or cardstock.
The unique texture from the bubble wrap gives each pumpkin a fun, dotted surface. Once dry, children can draw stems, leaves, or even jack-o’-lantern faces with markers or crayons.
This project is great for preschoolers and elementary kids because it’s hands-on and mess-friendly. Parents can also turn the prints into seasonal cards, posters, or classroom bulletin board decorations.
Popsicle Stick Haunted Pumpkin Houses
Haunted pumpkin houses are a mix of building and decorating. Start by gluing popsicle sticks together to create a simple house frame. Paint the structure dark colors like black or purple for a spooky effect.
Next, attach small pumpkin cutouts or miniature foam pumpkins around the house to make it part of a festive Halloween scene. Add details like ghosts, bats, or spider webs for extra spookiness.
This craft works well for older children and teens who enjoy construction-style projects. It’s also a great group activity for classrooms or Halloween parties, where each child can build and decorate their own haunted pumpkin house.
Pumpkin Finger Painting
Pumpkin finger painting is all about sensory fun and creativity. Using orange paint, kids dip their fingers in and make round pumpkin shapes on paper. They can then add stems and faces using green and black paint.
This activity encourages children to get messy in a safe and playful way. The freeform style means no two pumpkins will look the same, sparking imagination.
Ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, this project also doubles as a great keepsake. Parents can frame the finished artwork or use it as homemade Halloween décor.
Pumpkin Luminaries
Pumpkin luminaries are a cozy craft that doubles as decoration. Start with clean, hollowed-out mini pumpkins. Carve simple shapes or drill small holes around the surface for light to shine through.
Place a battery-operated tea light inside each pumpkin to create a warm, flickering glow. For variety, paint the pumpkins in metallic shades or add glitter before lighting them up.
This craft is better suited for teens and adults since it involves sharp tools. However, with safe alternatives like paint and stick-on designs, younger kids can still participate in decorating luminaries.
Pumpkin Planters
Pumpkin planters bring a natural, rustic charm to fall decorating. Hollow out a medium-sized pumpkin and line the inside with a small plastic container or foil to protect it from moisture.
Fill the pumpkin with soil and plant seasonal flowers like mums or marigolds. Succulents also work beautifully for a modern touch. Adding painted details or ribbons around the pumpkin can elevate the design.
This craft is perfect for adults and older kids who enjoy gardening. Though temporary, pumpkin planters add a vibrant and festive accent to porches, tables, or Halloween displays.
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin crafts are an incredible way to celebrate Halloween with creativity and fun. From kid-friendly paper projects to advanced luminaries and planters, there’s a craft here for every age and skill level. These ideas not only make festive decorations but also bring families and friends together through hands-on creativity.
Which pumpkin craft will you try first? Gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and let your imagination turn pumpkins into works of art this Halloween!
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