Welcoming the autumn season with pumpkin decorating is a lovely activity, especially when you involve the kids and sidestep the mess of traditional carving. Here are 21 pumpkin design ideas perfect for children, guaranteed to ignite their creativity and bring loads of joy!
1. Temporary Paint Pumpkins
Apply face paint to pumpkins for a soft, washable design. We had fun changing up our pumpkin’s look several times throughout the season!
2. Illuminated Pumpkins
Paint pumpkins with glow-in-the-dark paint for a spooky, glowing effect at night. The kids were so excited to see their creations come to life in the dark!
3. Sculpted Face Pumpkins
Use modeling clay to sculpt faces on pumpkins. My kids had a blast giving each pumpkin its own unique expression!
4. Cartoon-Inspired Pumpkins
Paint your kid’s favorite cartoon characters onto pumpkins. Seeing my daughter’s face light up when she spotted her pumpkin version of her favorite character was truly priceless!
5. Fiber-Wrapped Pumpkins
Wrap pumpkins with yarn for a cozy, textured feel. My son really enjoyed picking out vibrant yarn colors to wrap around his pumpkin.
6. Sparkle-Kissed Pumpkins
Coat pumpkins with glue and then sprinkle glitter for a dazzling sparkle. We might have gone a bit overboard with the glitter, but the results were absolutely mesmerizing!
7. Button-Adorned Pumpkins
Attach colorful buttons onto pumpkins for a textured, tactile appearance. It’s a big hit at our house, as the kids love selecting their favorite buttons to use.
8. Dripped Art Pumpkins
Create abstract art with splatter paint techniques on pumpkins. This messy but fun activity resulted in some truly unique art pieces!
9. Rainbow Painted Pumpkins
Encourage your kids to splash their pumpkins with a spectrum of rainbow colors. It’s a simple way to brighten up your home, and my living room has never felt more cheerful!
10. Tiny Pumpkin Pals
Craft a family of characters using mini pumpkins, adding yarn hair and drawn faces. It’s a delightful activity for small hands, and my daughter just adores her pumpkin family display.
11. Patterned Pumpkins
Draw intricate zentangle patterns on pumpkins using markers. This activity was a calming way to spend an afternoon, and the results were absolutely stunning.
12. Pumpkin Faces with Paper
Create funny faces on pumpkins using paper cutouts. This easy and fun activity had my kids giggling all afternoon!
13. Spotted Pumpkins
Use a sponge or brush to paint polka dots on pumpkins. Simple yet impactful, these pumpkins brought a playful vibe to our decorations.
14. Textured Pumpkins
Cover pumpkins with decoupage using colorful paper or fabric scraps. It’s a fantastic way to use up crafting leftovers, creating a beautifully eclectic look.
15. Pumpkins with Animal Themes
Use felt pieces, paint, and those fun googly eyes to turn your pumpkins into charming critters. My adorable niece had so much fun creating a penguin pumpkin last year!
16. Printed Tape Pumpkins
Decorate pumpkins with washi tape for an instant splash of pattern and color. With so many designs available, each pumpkin can have its own unique style!
17. Geometric Patterned Pumpkins
Use painter’s tape to create geometric designs, then paint over them for a crisp, modern look. My oldest really enjoyed peeling off the tape to reveal the final patterns.
18. Pom-Pom Covered Pumpkins
Attach colorful pom-poms onto pumpkins for a fuzzy, playful look. It’s a hit with toddlers and adds a pop of color to any setting.
19. Sticker Extravaganza Pumpkins
Cover your pumpkins with a riot of stickers for a super easy decorating session. My son absolutely loved designing a galaxy-themed pumpkin using star stickers.
20. Nature-Adorned Pumpkins
Decorate pumpkins with leaves, acorns, and small branches. My kids and I had so much fun gathering items from our backyard to create these autumn-themed designs.
21. Pumpkin Gardens
Turn small pumpkins into planters by hollowing them out and adding small plants. These are not only decorative, but they also brought a fresh vibe to our windowsill.