Get pumped up to decorate your pumpkins in a way that’s safe, spooktacular and perfect for the little trick-or-treaters in your life! Halloween is not the same without carving pumpkins, but tiny tots and sharp tools are a scary mix. Fear not, because we have some creative pumpkin decorating hacks that don’t involve a single knife. Plus, these crafty alternatives have an added treat…your pumpkin will last much longer to keep your Halloween spirit alive all month!
Painted Pumpkin Parade
Here’s a sharp idea without using dicey tools. Sub the blades with washable colors and let your little ones paint the town…or rather pumpkins. The creations can run wild with spooky faces, happy monsters or even their favorite cartoon characters. Always protect your workspace with newspaper as things might otherwise create a monstrous mess…in a fun way! Speaking of monsters, paint your pumpkin blue, glue on ping-pong balls with pupils drawn with a sharpie along with a big, wide open mouth. Sit him on a tray surrounded with chocolate chip cookies to have your own personal cookie monster.
A Sticky Situation
If you have kids you likely have a sticker stash. Now is the time to turn them into instant and easy pumpkin “paint”! From googly eyes to shiny stars and creepy-crawly critters…stickers offer endless possibilities to bring your pumpkin to life. Kids can stick, peel and rearrange until they’ve mastered the pumpkin of their dreams in a mess-free laboratory that turns into bubbling laughter and new creations!
Magic Marker Mayhem
Children can become a pumpkin Picasso with permanent markers in a rainbow of spooky colors. Whether they opt for a classic jack-o’-lantern or conjure up a brainstorm of Halloween ideas of their own, markers offer precision and easy cleanup with no smelly pumpkin guts to “ewwww” over!
Making Mummies
Turn your pumpkin into a wrapped-up mummy with your choice of no mess tape and gauze. Either will go on easy and bandage up nicely. Add some googly eyes or draw them on so your creepy creation can keep an eye on his surroundings and yours. This craft is so easy, it’s scary!
Glitter Glamour
For a little glitz and glam, break out the glitter glue! Your young artists can make their pumpkins shimmer and shine like stars in the black Halloween sky without the endless trail left by traditional glitter. Draw your plan on paper first to prevent frightening uh oh’s on the final pumpkin product!
Pumpkin Pug
These crazy Little creatures caught inside a dog’s body make the perfect “pupkin” for Halloween! Start with a large pumpkin. Using grilling skewers, connect small, slightly curled squash for ears, extra small white pumpkins for eyes and add pupils with acrylic paint. Next, paint the pug’s mask and mouth with the same black paint. When dry, add a cute little pink or red tongue. Your child can have an award-winning pumpkin and that new puppy they’ve always wanted all rolled into one!
Pumpkins of the Past
Dress your pumpkin in fashion with old, dress-up clothes, hats, scarves, sunglasses, and anything else you can conjure up. You can even stack a few to create the fall version of a snowman. Go with the white pumpkins or keep it traditionally orange!
Glow-in-the-Dark Great Pumpkins
It’s time for the Great Pumpkin to appear and you can enhance the spooky vibes by decorating yours with glow-in-the-dark paint or other stick-ons. Watch as your pumpkin comes to life when the lights go out, creating an eerie and enchanting atmosphere for Halloween night!
Nature’s Touch
Take a nature walk with your kids and collect fallen leaves, twigs and other natural treasures. Then, use craft or hot glue to attach them to your pumpkin, creating a woodland or enchanted forest theme. It’s a whimsical way to celebrate Halloween’s connection to nature especially if you add the effects of fake spiders, Dollar Tree crows, bats and other critters that come out during this creepy crawly season!
Related: 5 Delicious Fall Recipes: Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice