No Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Kids

One of our favorite things about fall is PUMPKINS! All of the adorable pumpkin displays around town can be hard to resist. By now, you may have a collection of big pumpkins, little pumpkins, funny looking pumpkins, and maybe even some knobbly gourds. So what do you do with all the pumpkins?

Since pumpkin carving can be difficult (and dangerous) for children, we’ve compiled some ways you and your kids can decorate pumpkins without having them go under the knife.

 

Silhouette Pumpkins

This is a no-carve alternative that allows you to have pumpkins that look polished without the mess. First, apply a coat of paint to a pumpkin and let it dry completely. It can be any color except black. We like white or a light color so that the silhouette really pops. Then, tape on a Halloween stencil (there are lots of templates online) and use black paint to create the spooky silhouette.

 

Glitter Pumpkins

These pumpkins really know how to shine! Simply apply craft glue in the shape of your desired design and sprinkle on fine glitter in the colors of your choice. Let it dry and that’s it. You’re done!

 

Pumpkin Spider

We all love those cute mini pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. Here’s a great way to transform one into a scary spider! First, paint the mini pumpkin black. Let it dry, then glue on black pipe cleaner legs, googly spider eyes, and a mouth made from white craft foam or felt.

 

Pumpkin Drip Art

This one can get messy so be sure to put down some newspaper or paper towels. Using bottles of acrylic paint, let your child squeeze the bottles directly above the pumpkin so that the paint slowly drips down the sides of the pumpkin. We recommend using a combination of glitter acrylic paints and solid colors. Let them dry overnight and put them on display for all to see!

 

Pumpkin Mummies

You’ll need medical gauze for this one. Depending on the size of the pumpkin, you may need to cut the gauze in half lengthwise for the best effect. Use a hot glue gun to attach one side of the gauze to the pumpkin. Wrap the gauze all around the pumpkin to create a mummy effect. You may need to add a few beads of hot glue while wrapping. Once the pumpkin is fully wrapped, either tuck in the ends or hot glue gun the end in place. Glue on the googly eyes. It looks great if you tuck part of the eye under the gauze like it’s peering out. Cut out a black mouth using construction paper or black sticky foam and attach the mouth.

 

Magazine Pumpkins

This is an easy one. Create these silly pumpkins by clipping pieces of faces out of magazines. Then glue the faces onto the pumpkins. This looks especially good on mini pumpkins and gourds.