The best pumpkin decorating ideas for kids! These are easy, fun and age appropriate for both younger and older children.
Updated September 2024
We just bought a bunch of pumpkins, unable to resist the new displays of them popping up everywhere.
So, we now have a tableful of big pumpkins, little pumpkins, orange pumpkins, and white pumpkins. Even a few funny-looking, knobby gourds!
And since we can’t just leave them alone, here are some of the best pumpkin decorating ideas for kids. Some of the ideas are from The Artful Parent, and some are awesome ideas from around the web.
And the best part: they are all ideas that kids can actually do!
Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Kids
1. Pumpkin painting
We recommend acrylic paint or Biocolor paint from Colorations, but you could also try watering it down for this fun watercolor effect (on Paper & Stitch).
2. Try squeeze or drip painting
Use paint in squeeze bottles to make some beautiful drip art pumpkins (on The Imagination Tree).
3. Add glitter!
Take pumpkin painting a step further and make glitter pumpkins (on HGTV)
(Note: They used spray adhesive, but you can make this project little-kid friendly by using regular glue, Mod Podge, or paint.)
4. Make ghost pumpkins
If you have white pumpkins, use a sharpie to make happy ghost pumpkins (on This Crafted Life).
5. Try pumpkin pounding
Try hammering golf tees or gold brads into a pumpkin. Kids love the chance to do some hammering, and the effect is so cool!
6. Make a pumpkin collage
Turn your pumpkins into a 3D collage with feathers and buttons (on TinkerLab).
7. Make a Lite Brite jack-o’-lantern!
Create a fun Lite Brite effect for your Jack-O’-Lantern by pounding colored translucent beads into the side of your pumpkin.
8. Tissue paper collage pumpkins
We love the way these tissue paper collage pumpkins look! (on Young House Love)
9. Tape or sticker resist pumpkins
Use stickers to decorate your pumpkin! You can take it a step further by painting over the stickers, and then removing them for a paint resist effect.
10. Glow-in-the-dark pumpkins!
Try these glow-in-the-dark pumpkins for an extra fun Halloween night! (on Color Made Happy)
Want to make your decorated pumpkins last longer? Growing a Jeweled Rose shares some great tips for making carved pumpkins last.
Which are your favorite pumpkin decorating ideas for kids? Will you give one of these a try this year?
More Halloween Art Activities for Kids
- 31 Days of Halloween Activities for Kids
- 12 No Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
- A Pounding Pumpkin Activity for Kids
- 5 Pumpkin Painting Ideas for Kids
- 10 Easy Halloween Crafts for Toddlers
- 13 Awesome Halloween Craft Ideas for Kids
Want even more Halloween fun?
Check out our Halloween Creativity Pack!
This 45-page printable eBook is full of seasonal coloring pages, drawing prompts, games, and art projects.
Pin It for Later
