Classic jack-o-lanterns are cute, but they’re pretty much the default go-to when carving pumpkins. Why not go for something a little more unique this year, with pumpkin decorating ideas that take things up a notch? And the best part about our list is that we’ve got both clever no carve pumpkin decorating ideas (no knives for the kids!), as well as creative pumpkin decorating ideas for folks who want to carve.
Read on for no-carve pumpkin decorating tips and ideas from Nyssa Juneau, a staff member of Texas Art Supply in Houston, along with ideas for carving and creating some of the coolest, creative pumpkins around.
No carve pumpkin decorating ideas
Want to give your pumpkin a unique look without a knife? Consider these fun ideas that don’t require cleaning out stringy pumpkin guts.
1. Paint it
Grab some acrylic paint to decorate your pumpkin. “Using acrylic paint is ideal for pumpkin decorating,” Juneau explains. “It’s waterproof and is fairly cheap, and you can buy small bottles of the paint in a variety of colors.” If you’re using a pumpkin with a deep orange color, select darker paints to create a sharp contrast.
Have children paint a picture of a haunted house or a scary monster, witch or funny face. If kids are really young, grab some sponges cut into fun, Halloween-themed designs. The kids can dip the sponges into the paint and press the shapes onto the pumpkin with ease.
2. Use beads
Dig into the bead jar and glue either mismatched ones in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors onto your pumpkin for a unique look or go with a theme, like this Taylor Swift-inspired pumpkin from At Home With Shannon. Are you ready for it?
3. Raid the craft box
Got odds and ends from previous craft projects that you can’t find a use for? Grab a hot glue gun and use it to attach feathers, fake flowers, sequins, pipe cleaners or googly eyes to your pumpkin. Fashion a “unicorn horn” out of ribbon or use craft supplies to write “Boo!” or “Happy Halloween.”
“Use the glue gun for rhinestones for an unexpected and cool look on a pumpkin,” Juneau advises. Adult supervision will be required when using the hot glue.
4. Use stickers
Small children will especially like selecting Halloween-themed stickers to put on their pumpkins. Use stickers in monochromatic colors or to create interesting designs or duct tape or washi tape to give a jack-o-lantern good face.
5. Craft a pumpkin from non-drying clay
Side-step real pumpkins altogether by creating a few of your own with air dry clay. This tutorial from Pumpkin Emily gives simple, step-by-step instructions.
For folks who can’t imagine Halloween without an actual pumpkin, use the clay to decorate your pumpkin. Create hands, hats, a body or fun facial features for your pumpkin with clay. “You’ll want to use non-drying clay because it will adhere better to the pumpkin than clay that dries,” says Juneau. Use Mr. Potato Head as inspiration.
6. Use markers
Use permanent markers to draw scary or silly faces on your jack-o’-lantern. Or sketch pictures of Halloween-themed items, such as bats, ghosts or witches.
If you and the kids are up for something more intricate, look online for carving templates. You can find them in all kinds of great themes, such as Harry Potter, Batman or Star Wars. Print out one you like, cut it out and trace on your pumpkin. Use your marker to fill in the empty space and you’re ready to go.
7. Play with your food
Use toothpicks to attach vegetables and fruit to your pumpkin. A bunch of parsley or a cabbage leaf can be used for hair, and button mushrooms and cherry tomatoes can be used for eyes and noses. Melon rinds can be used for a mouth, while slices of peppers can be ears.
8. Find inspiration in Mother Nature
For a fun scavenger hunt for both kids and grown-ups, check outdoors for pine cones, acorns and leaves to decorate your pumpkin. Use hot glue to create a natural-looking design with your finds.
Another nature-inspired idea? Make a wreath out of craft wire and autumn flowers or leaves for your pumpkin to “wear.”
9. Try using thumbtacks
Use a pencil or washable marker to draw an outline of a fun Halloween message or design, then press thumbtacks into the outline for an eye-catching look. (Here’s an example of a cute ghost thumbtack pumpkin.) Gem-colored thumbtacks can make fun faces while black upholstery tacks are perfect for darker designs, like bats or witches. And if you want to get fancy, go for an all-gold pumpkin!
10. Look in the junk drawers and closets
Let kids look around at home and select old reading glasses, baseball caps, scarves or gloves to give their pumpkin a personalized ensemble. Use old twine to give your pumpkin hair. If the pumpkin will be placed outdoors, use duct tape to keep the clothing from blowing away in the wind.
11. Use googly eyes
Looking for easy pumpkin decorating ideas? We’ve got you. Throw some googly eyes on, draw a nose and mouth — boom; Halloween arrived.
12. Revel in rainbow
Speaking of stripes, go all in with color by painting your pumpkin using every color of the rainbow. This will look festive on the porch for the whole autumn season.
13. Get glittery
Create a glittery pumpkin that will sparkle on Halloween. Cover pumpkins in a light coat of glue using a sponge brush. Then sprinkle glitter over the pumpkin, let it dry and you’re all set to shine.
14. Use “fancy” art supplies
A lacy pumpkin with velvety trim? Why not? These fancy, no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas from Paper Mart put a fun and fancy twist on Halloween.
15. Make a vehicle
How clever! This super creative tractor pumpkin from Stanton Ranch gives way to all sorts of fun, no-carve vehicle ideas!
Creative pumpkin decorating ideas that involve carving
Whether you’re fixing to carve a pumpkin yourself or have older kids who can be trusted with a knife, check out these creative pumpkin decorating ideas and tips that will give Jack a run for his money.
16. Big teeth
Massive teeth, fangs, chompers — whatever you want to call them — can be scary on Halloween, so consider making them the star of your pumpkin!
17. Pineapple jack-o-lantern
Whether you live in a beach town physically, or mentally, the pineapple jack-o-lantern is fun spin on the classic jack-lantern. And again, no pumpkin guts!
18. Pumpkin fairy house
OK, this is pretty next-level, but this pumpkin fairy house from Sweet Audra Brown may spark an idea or two for a pumpkin house of your own.
19. Use carrots for eyes
This carrot-eyed pumpkin from Adam Bierton is so cool! When it comes to carving, you don’t need to do much, but the results are super impressive.
20. Green-lit jack-o-lantern
Not only does this spooky jack-o-lantern from The Budget Decorator have a great design, the green light inside is an awesome idea!
21. Cut the bottom
Ready to have your mind blown? In addition to cutting from the bottom, The Spirit of Halloween gives a number of tips in this TikTok, including using a color-changing LED light. Smart!
22. “Boo” pumpkin
Instead of a face, why not carve a phrase into your pumpkin? “Boo” is great for smaller pumpkins, and it won’t take you all night!
23. Cat face
Gah, how adorable is this cat face pumpkin stencil from 11 Wonders Shop?! Happy Cat-o-ween to all who celebrate!
Where to buy: Cat face pumpkin stencil ($2.18 to download, 11 Wonders Shop/Etsy)
