Here we have a selection of fun pumpkin decorating ideas, a perfect craft activity for Halloween. You will find some of these activities great for toddlers and preschoolers (with adult help and supervision) and some better suited for older children. Even adults can enjoy making these too!
Pumpkin decorating is a great alternative to pumpkin carving due to avoiding the mess that comes with this. No knives are used so it makes a much safer craft. You can use any pumpkins large or small, pretty and not so pretty! Not to mention if you make a mistake, it’s easy to wash it all off and start again.
The pumpkins used here are munchkin pumpkins from Sainsbury’s in the UK and we have a couple of squash too, as they looked very pumpkin-like. At this time of writing the pumpkins were priced at £1 each.
These pumpkins were bought early in October and the recommended storage is in a cool, dry place. They were stored at the end of our kitchen which is the coldest part of the house averaging 18 degrees. They were washed and dried just before use, to avoid any moisture build up.
For each pumpkin decorating idea there is a quick explanation of the craft materials used and how to make it. The ideas are really simple and I’m sure you will have fun trying these!
- Pom pom monster pumpkin
- Witch pumpkin
- Spider pumpkin
- Spiderweb pumpkin
- Ghost pumpkin
- Glitter pumpkin
- Starry pumpkin
- Glow in the dark pumpkin
- Painted pumpkin
- Simply sticker pumpkin
1. Pom Pom Monster Pumpkin
Using pom poms, wiggle eyes and double sided sticky tape you can make a pom pom monster pumpkin!
Firstly stick the pom poms all over the pumpkin using the double sided sticky tape then add on the eyes. You will need to use double sided sticky tape for sticking the eyes to the pumpkin itself.
2. Witch Pumpkin
Using wool, pipe cleaners, wiggle eyes, stick-on gems, double sided sticky tape and PVA glue you can make a witch pumpkin!
Firstly glue on the wool to the top of the pumpkin to make the hair. Once dry, add the wiggle eyes using the double sided sticky tape and make the mouth with stick on gems.
To make the hat, take three black pipe cleaners and join them together to make a long piece. Spiral the pipe cleaner to make a witches hat shape. Glue the hat onto the hair; whilst the hat is drying use large coins to keep the hat weighed down.
3. Spider Pumpkin
This spider pumpkin is made from black pipe cleaners, black pom poms, black glitter and PVA glue.
Firstly make the eight legs from cutting the pipe cleaners into thirds, then glue them on to the pumpkin. Let this dry overnight with some coins on top, to weigh down the legs. Once dry, glue on the pom poms in the middle.
Use the glue around the body of the spider and at the tops of the spider legs, where there will be some glue marks you will want to hide! Then sprinkle the glitter all over the glue.
4. Spiderweb Pumpkin
To make this spiderweb pumpkin all you need is a black glitter glue pen and a steady hand.
Firstly squeeze the glitter glue down the creases of the pumpkin to make the vertical lines. Then starting from the top, make your rings of the web working your way downwards.
5. Ghost Pumpkin
Using a ghost pumpkin, white pipe cleaner, black felt tip pen, pencil, black glitter pen, PVA glue, white paint and black stick on gems, you can make an actual ghost pumpkin!
The ghost pumpkin is an off-white cream colour already, so you’ll need to paint one layer of white paint all over the pumpkin to start.
Once the paint is dry, draw on the eyes and mouth with a pencil then go over with a black felt tip pen and colour in. As an option, also go around the edge with a glitter glue pen which helps to hide any mistakes! Then stick on the gems and glue on a spiralled pipe cleaner on top.
6. Glitter Pumpkin
This one is simply brushed on PVA glue with sprinkled orange and gold glitter on top! It’s really easy to make and has such a lovely effect. You could try all sorts of different coloured glitter with this one.
7. Starry Pumpkin (Squash)
This starry pumpkin-like squash has been made with glitter foam star stickers stuck straight on and star sequins glued on with PVA glue. You could try other coloured stars or different sticker shapes to get a variety of effects.
8. Glow in the Dark Pumpkin
By day a ghostly white pumpkin and by night a glowing delight! This one has been made using a ghost pumpkin, white paint, glow in the dark foam stickers, sequin stars and PVA glue.
Firstly give your ghost pumpkin a coat of white paint. Once dry, add on your stickers and glue on the sequin stars. Ensure to give the stickers some time near a lightbulb to charge and then watch them glow when you turn the lights out!
9. Painted Pumpkin
This one is perfect for toddlers and upwards, just paint on to a pumpkin and let it dry. Both of these were done by my toddler aged 2.5 years old and he thoroughly enjoyed painting them!
10. Simply Sticker Pumpkin
Perfect for toddlers, simply stick stickers to a pumpkin and that’s all there is to it. This is great for young children as there is no mess involved. My youngest toddler of 1.5 years old, had a great time decorating the pumpkin on the left with my help.
That’s all for now, I hope you have found some good inspiration for pumpkin decorating here. If there are any pumpkins you want me to create do let me know.
Feel free to share this post and let me know what you think in the comments, I would love to hear about your results.
Happy pumpkin decorating!
If you have enjoyed this post and want to be notified of the latest Craft with Mei tutorials, enter your email below to subscribe.
Leave a Reply