Decorating pumpkins with kids is one of my favorite fall activities. Skip the carving mess and check out these fun and easy ideas that will keep your pumpkins fresh and fabulous all season long!

1. Painted Pumpkins

Kids enjoying a fun afternoon painting pumpkins in bright, cheerful colors.
Kids enjoying a fun afternoon painting pumpkins in bright, cheerful colors.

Painting pumpkins is a simple yet creative way to decorate them without carving. Use brushes or even your fingers for a personal touch—it’s all about having fun. I love using non-toxic paint, so the kids can really get involved!

Try these:

  • Non-Toxic Kids’ Paint Set: A set of non-toxic, vibrant paints perfect for kids to safely express their creativity on pumpkins.
  • Paint Brushes for Kids: A variety of brushes designed for little hands, making it easy for kids to paint with precision and ease.
  • Pumpkin Decorating Kit: Includes paints, brushes, and accessories to provide everything a child needs for fun, creative pumpkin decorating.

2. Sticker Art Pumpkins

Pumpkins adorned with vibrant stickers, bringing a playful flair to fall decorations.
Pumpkins adorned with vibrant stickers, bringing a playful flair to fall decorations.

Grab some stickers from your local stationery store and let the kids go wild decorating their pumpkins. They can create patterns or fun faces—whatever their imagination inspires. It’s a fuss-free way to make pumpkins pop with personality.

Consider these options:

  • Assorted Sticker Pack: This pack includes a variety of colorful stickers perfect for pumpkin decorating. Let kids unleash their creativity by creating unique designs and patterns.
  • Halloween Themed Stickers: These stickers feature fun Halloween designs, ideal for adding a spooky touch to your pumpkins. Easy to apply and remove.
  • Glow-in-the-Dark Stickers: Make your pumpkins shine at night with these glow-in-the-dark stickers. Perfect for fun and visibility on Halloween night.

3. Googly Eye Pumpkins

A googly-eyed pumpkin bringing laughter and fun to the kitchen.
A googly-eyed pumpkin bringing laughter and fun to the kitchen.

Transform your pumpkins into quirky characters with googly eyes. Just glue them on and watch your pumpkin come to life with personality. This idea always gets giggles from the kiddos—and from me too!

A few suggestions:

  • Assorted Googly Eyes: Give your pumpkins fun and lively expressions with a variety of sizes of googly eyes. Perfect for making your decorations stand out.
  • Craft Glue: A reliable craft glue to securely attach googly eyes to pumpkins. Ensures that all eyes stay in place throughout the Halloween season.
  • Pumpkin Decorating Kit: Complete your decorating with a kit that includes everything you need to embellish your pumpkins with ease.

4. Scribble Art Pumpkins

A pumpkin transformed into a canvas of colorful scribbles and creativity.
A pumpkin transformed into a canvas of colorful scribbles and creativity.

Let the kids go wild with markers and scribble all over the pumpkin. It’s a great way for little ones to express themselves artistically. I find that using metallic markers can add an extra touch of magic to their creations.

Might be a good match:

  • Metallic Markers Set: Enhance your child’s pumpkin art with vibrant metallic markers. They add a shimmering touch that makes their designs stand out.
  • Washable Marker Pack: Safe and easy-to-clean markers, perfect for letting kids explore their creativity without worry about mess.
  • Large Craft Pumpkins: Artificial pumpkins that provide a great surface for kids’ art, allowing for multiple uses and long-lasting creations.

5. Crayon Melt Pumpkins

A mesmerizing melted crayon pumpkin, showcasing a rainbow of colors.
A mesmerizing melted crayon pumpkin, showcasing a rainbow of colors.

Melted crayons create a stunning, colorful effect on pumpkins. Simply glue crayons around the top and use a hairdryer to melt them down the sides. It’s a bit messy, but the end result is always worth the chaos!

You might give these a try:

  • Box of Assorted Crayons: A variety of colorful crayons perfect for melting and creating beautiful effects on pumpkins.
  • Hot Glue Gun: Essential for securely attaching crayons to the pumpkin before melting.
  • Hair Dryer with Adjustable Heat Settings: An ideal tool for melting crayons evenly, offering precision and control over the process.

6. Washi Tape Pumpkins

A pumpkin adorned with vibrant washi tape designs, adding a modern touch to fall decor.
A pumpkin adorned with vibrant washi tape designs, adding a modern touch to fall decor.

Washi tape is a dream for decorating pumpkins with endless design possibilities. Wrap it around your pumpkin in stripes, make patterns, or use it to create a fun face. I love how easy it is to apply and remove, making it perfect for indecisive decorators like me!

Possibly handy products:

  • Assorted Washi Tape Set: A variety of colorful washi tapes perfect for creating unique pumpkin designs. Easy to apply and remove.
  • Foam Craft Pumpkins: Lightweight foam pumpkins ideal for decorating with washi tape. Reusable for different occasions.
  • Craft Scissors: Essential for cutting washi tape to the desired length and shape, ensuring neat and precise decorations.

7. Clay Faces on Pumpkins

Pumpkins with clay faces, each showcasing a unique personality and charm.
Pumpkins with clay faces, each showcasing a unique personality and charm.

Use modeling clay to craft three-dimensional faces on your pumpkins. The kids can sculpt silly expressions or spooky faces—whatever suits their fancy. It’s a hands-on activity that lets them mold their own pumpkin characters.

Products that could assist:

  • Modeling Clay Set: A versatile set of modeling clay that is perfect for sculpting expressive faces on pumpkins. It allows kids to explore their creativity and craft unique designs.
  • Sculpting Tools Kit: An essential kit of sculpting tools to help kids easily shape and detail their clay creations for a more professional look.
  • Craft Paint Set: A set of non-toxic craft paints for adding vibrant colors to the clay faces, enhancing the playful or spooky look of each pumpkin.

8. Polka Dot Pumpkins

A vibrant polka dot pumpkin adding a playful touch to the dining room.
A vibrant polka dot pumpkin adding a playful touch to the dining room.

Polka dots are always a hit in my house, and they’re easy to create on pumpkins with a cork or sponge dipped in paint. Let the kids choose their color scheme and pattern for a truly personalized pumpkin. It’s a simple yet striking way to decorate!

Maybe worth checking out:

  • Acrylic Paint Set: An acrylic paint set is perfect for adding vibrant polka dots to your pumpkins. These paints are versatile and quick-drying, making them ideal for kids’ crafting projects.
  • Craft Sponges or Corks: These sponges or corks are great for applying paint in perfect circles. They’re easy for kids to handle and can create a fun, dotted pattern on your pumpkins.
  • Child-Safe Paint Palette: A paint palette designed for children helps them mix and hold colors while they decorate pumpkins. It’s easy to clean and perfect for little hands to manage.

9. Glittery Pumpkins

A glittery pumpkin adding a touch of sparkle and elegance to the home.
A glittery pumpkin adding a touch of sparkle and elegance to the home.

For a bit of sparkle, coat your pumpkin in glue and sprinkle it with glitter. The kids love the magical transformation, and I enjoy the extra glitz it brings to our home decor. Just be prepared for glitter to be everywhere—but isn’t that part of the fun?

These products might be useful:

  • Craft Glue: A reliable craft glue that dries clear, perfect for adhering glitter to pumpkins without leaving a mess.
  • Assorted Glitter: A set of assorted glitter, offering a variety of colors to add sparkle to your pumpkin decorations.
  • Pumpkin Decorating Kit: A kit that includes various decorative elements, making it easy to create stunning pumpkin designs with added creativity.

10. Nature-Inspired Pumpkins

A nature-inspired pumpkin celebrating the beauty of fall.
A nature-inspired pumpkin celebrating the beauty of fall.

Bring the outdoors in by using natural elements like leaves, twigs, and acorns to decorate your pumpkins. Secure them with a bit of glue for an earthy, rustic vibe. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the fall season with a nod to nature.

Some ideas to consider:

  • Craft Glue for Natural Materials: A versatile adhesive perfect for securing leaves, twigs, and acorns onto pumpkins. Ensures a long-lasting hold while crafting.
  • Artificial Leaves and Twigs Set: A set of lifelike artificial leaves and twigs to bring an earthy aesthetic to your pumpkin decorations. Ideal for a natural look.
  • Assorted Acorn Decorations: Realistic acorn decorations to add a rustic touch to your pumpkin decor. Great for enhancing the autumn vibe.

11. Yarn-Wrapped Pumpkins

A yarn-wrapped pumpkin, adding warmth and texture to the seasonal decor.
A yarn-wrapped pumpkin, adding warmth and texture to the seasonal decor.

Wrap your pumpkin in colorful yarn for a cozy, textured look. It’s a great way to use up leftover yarn from other projects, and the kids can help choose colors and patterns. I love how this adds a handcrafted feel to our Halloween display.

A few things you might like:

  • Assorted Color Yarn Pack: A set of colorful yarns perfect for adding a cozy, handcrafted feel to your pumpkin decorations.
  • Craft Scissors: Sharp scissors designed for cutting yarn cleanly and easily, essential for any crafting project.
  • Glue Gun and Sticks: A glue gun set for securely attaching yarn to pumpkins, ensuring stability in your designs.

12. Button Embellished Pumpkins

A button-embellished pumpkin, showcasing creativity and charm.
A button-embellished pumpkin, showcasing creativity and charm.

Buttons can be glued onto pumpkins to create fun designs or patterns. Let the kids sort through a jar of buttons to find the perfect ones for their pumpkin masterpiece. It’s an easy, budget-friendly way to add a whimsical touch to your decor.

A few relevant products:

  • Assorted Craft Buttons: A collection of diverse buttons ideal for adding unique patterns and textures to your pumpkin decorations.
  • Strong Craft Glue: Reliable adhesive that ensures your buttons stay securely attached to the pumpkin surface.
  • Decorative Scissors: Scissors with comfortable grips for easy crafting and trimming button threads.

13. Fabric-Covered Pumpkins

A fabric-covered pumpkin, blending textures and colors beautifully.
A fabric-covered pumpkin, blending textures and colors beautifully.

Cover your pumpkins with fabric scraps for a soft and unique look. Use fabric glue to secure the material, and let the kids pick their favorite patterns. It’s an excellent way to upcycle old fabrics and create a cozy, creative vibe.

These products might help:

  • Assorted Fabric Scraps: A collection of assorted fabric scraps, perfect for creating unique and colorful pumpkin covers.
  • Fabric Glue: Strong and quick-drying fabric glue ideal for securing fabric pieces to pumpkins.
  • Craft Scissors: Precision craft scissors designed for cutting fabric easily and accurately.

14. Feathered Pumpkins

A feather-adorned pumpkin, bringing a touch of whimsy to the home.
A feather-adorned pumpkin, bringing a touch of whimsy to the home.

Feathers can add a touch of whimsy and elegance to your pumpkins. Use glue to attach them in a pattern or randomly for a more natural look. The kids will love the soft texture and the unique appearance of their feathered creations.

Items that may come in handy:

  • Assorted Craft Feathers: A variety pack of colorful craft feathers perfect for decorating pumpkins. These feathers add a whimsical touch and are soft to the touch.
  • Craft Glue: Strong adhesive craft glue ideal for attaching feathers securely onto your pumpkins. Safe for kids to use.
  • Decorative LED Fairy Lights: Battery-operated LED fairy lights to enhance the decoration and add a warm glow to your pumpkin display.

15. Decoupage Pumpkins

A decoupage pumpkin, showcasing intricate designs and artistic flair.
A decoupage pumpkin, showcasing intricate designs and artistic flair.

Use decoupage techniques with tissue paper or napkins to create intricate designs on pumpkins. It’s a bit more advanced, but older kids will enjoy the challenge. I love the layered effect this creates, adding depth and interest to our pumpkin display.

Useful items to consider:

  • Decoupage Glue: A versatile glue ideal for adhering tissue paper or napkins to pumpkins, making it easy to achieve beautiful layered designs.
  • Assorted Decorative Napkins: These napkins come in various designs to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your pumpkin, perfect for creating intricate patterns.
  • Foam Brush Set: Ideal for applying glue smoothly and evenly, these foam brushes help in achieving a flawless finish on your decoupage pumpkins.

16. Chalkboard Paint Pumpkins

A chalkboard paint pumpkin, inviting endless creative possibilities.
A chalkboard paint pumpkin, inviting endless creative possibilities.

Paint your pumpkin with chalkboard paint and let the kids draw their designs with chalk. They can erase and start over as many times as they like, making it a versatile option for creative play. I love watching the evolving artwork that changes with their mood!

Explore these options:

  • Chalkboard Paint for Crafts: Perfect for creating a reusable surface on pumpkins; applies easily and dries to a classic slate finish.
  • Multicolor Chalk Set: A set of vibrant chalk colors ideal for kids to express their creativity on chalkboard-painted pumpkins.
  • Chalkboard Erasers: Gentle erasers for easy cleanup and fresh starts on your chalkboard pumpkin artwork.