So, we noticed that last year’s no-carve pumpkin decorating post has been getting thousands of views (no kidding!) in the past few weeks. Seems like everyone is searching for fun new ideas for pumpkin decorating that don’t involve kitchen cutlery or small power tools–ourselves included! So we’ve pulled together a BRAND NEW list of no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas that are fun, fast, family-friendly (as in, junior won’t accidentally grab the carving knife while you’re up to your elbows in pumpkin innards), and most importantly, fabulous! This post proves once again that you can get sharp-looking pumpkins without any sharp tools. So let’s get decorating!
1. Chalk and Talk
This clever pumpkin has lots to say. Just use chalkboard paint to cover the entire surface, then chalk up a message for your trick-or-treaters or party guests.
Source: rachelraymag.com
2. Well-Heeled
Why let facial features have all the fun? This kicky pair of pumpkins is an unexpected twist on the traditional jack-o-lantern design, but we think it’s head and shoulders above the rest. The site calls for some minor carving for the witch’s striped tights, but you could also just use paint for a pure no-carve approach.
Source: bhg.com
3. Bling It On
(Faux) diamonds are a gourd’s best friend. Self-adhesive craft store jewels make it super easy to transform your pumpkin from blah to bling. Embellish free-form or create a sparkly scene. Either way, it’s a gem of an idea.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
4. All That Glitters
This sparkly pumpkin is equally at home on your doorstep or dining room table. The hint of glint comes from a coating of glue followed by a dusting of glitter. And since these uncarved pumpkins can last indoors for months, they’ll add dazzle to your decor right through the holiday season.
Source: marthastewart.com
5. Lace ’em Up
Maybe you have a drawer full of old stockings that are just begging for an upcycle. But even if you didn’t fall victim to a fleeting fashion trend, you can pick up some lace at your local fabric or craft store. Think of it as proper party attire for your pumpkins.
Source: bhg.com
6. It’s a Natural
Need some re-leaf from all those flashy pumpkins out there? Keep it outdoorsy with this decoupaged design inspired by fall foliage. Make it family-friendly by letting the kiddos pick out their favorite fallen leaves from the yard or on your next visit to the park.
Source: budgetwisehome.com
7. Clever Cover-Up
I always have a hodge-podge of fall-themed napkins left over from last year’s celebrations. What a great way to use up the miss-matched extras!
Source: inmyownstyle.com
8. Cute As a Button
This whimsical pumpkin is anything but buttoned-up. Cast a spell on your guests by spelling out a series of cute Halloween messages like Boo and Eeek.
Source: bhg.com
9. A Wise Surprise
This one’s a hoot. Let a double-decker pumpkin owl preside over your doorstep this Halloween season. We can’t promise it will keep the mice away, but it will attract plenty of trick-or-treaters!
Source: bhg.com
10. Beaded Beauty
Only have a few minutes to spare? Strands of beads are easy to swirl in fun patterns. Pencil on your design, squiggle on the hot glue, apply the strands, and presto–a bead-u-tiful pumpkin in no time!
Source: rachelraymag.com
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Okay, now it’s time for the Out and About Moms to test drive a few of our favorite finds. Let us know what you think!
Shawna’s Pumpkins
The inspiration: My no-carve pumpkin was inspired by this one from “The Swell Life: Simply Sparkly Pumpkins.”
Source: swelldesigner.blogspot.com
The imitation: I used an orange pumpkin plus shiny confetti from the party store to give my sparkle pumpkin a Halloween theme.
Step-by-step guide:
- Gather supplies: You will need a small to medium pumpkin, one packet of Halloween confetti (you can find something similar at the dollar store, the party store, or the Christmas Tree Shop), and a hot glue gun.
- Starting at the very top of the pumpkin, around the stem, start gluing the confetti to the pumpkin. I found that the glue from my low-temp hot glue gun hardened unusually fast on the pumpkin, so I would recommend working in small sections as opposed to dispensing a swath of hot glue. You can either determine your pattern in advance, or you can wing it (that’s what I did).
- It takes some time to get all the pieces glued on, but it’s fun to play around with the shapes and patterns. Keep the pieces close and slightly overlapping at the top, then work down the sides of the pumpkin in a few places to give a “dripping” effect. That’s it!
Other Pumpkin Ideas:
- Just Add Pumpkin: I picked up this premade pumpkin decorating kit at Target for just $5, which is a super deal when you think about how much it would cost you to buy all its contents individually. This kit calls for a 5-7 inch pumpkin to make a sparkly bat.
- It even comes with step-by-step instructions. First, a coat of the included black paint. It goes on a little streaky, so plan on two coats for the best result (there’s more than enough paint). The included foam brush is super for getting good coverage on the slick surface. Let the first coat dry completely.
- The kit also comes with black glitter in a handy shaker. Apply it immediately after the second coat of paint so it will stick.
- Let the pumpkin dry completely before working with the peel-and-stick foam accents. I love that there’s no need for glue due to the adhesive, but for the pieces that are supposed to stick up or out (i.e. ears and wings), it was a little bit of a challenge since the adhesive only works if the pieces are stuck on flat (design flaw?). The instructions suggest bending those pieces before adhering. You have to fiddle with it for a bit, but it does work. Just don’t try to remove the pieces once you’ve stuck them on, or the paint will peel off too. Learned that the hard way. Oops.
- But I think he came out pretty cute, don’t you? Not bad for 5 bucks and 20 minutes (if you don’t count the drying time).
- Target has lots more kits available too, most for around $5. Or, you can always use these as inspiration and pick up your own supplies–acrylic paint, glitter, a foam paint brush, and craft foam–at your local craft store.
Mandy’s Pumpkins
The inspiration: This no-carve pumpkin inspiration came from Better Homes and Garden’s “Quick and Easy Painted Pumpkins.”
Source: bhg.com
The imitation: I used the cat silhouette for my pumpkin imitation and added a little bit of glitter for fun.
Step-by-step guide:
- Gather supplies: For this project you will need a pumpkin (of course), black paint (I used acrylic paint), a stencil or template, pen, paint brush and glitter.
- Download and print out the template from bhg.com or print out another template of your choice. You can easily google for whatever shape you are looking for, e.g. “bat silhouette”.
- Cut out the template and tape it to the pumpkin.
- Trace the template onto the pumpkin.
- Paint the silhouette.
- While paint is still wet, sprinkle black glitter onto the pumpkin. Brush off any excess glitter.
- Let dry and display inside or outside. (In case of rain though, bring it indoors or place it in a covered spot where it won’t get wet–otherwise your kitty may “run” away 🙂 )
Other Pumpkin Ideas:
- Felt Fabuliciousness: This one is easy AND inexpensive. Right up my alley! Just pick up a few of the felt pumpkin face kits from Target. They are only $1 and I found them in the dollar section at the front of the store. The kids enjoyed peeling off the self sticking felt facial parts and placing them on the pumpkin. This was even doable for my 1 year olds.
Still looking for more ideas? Visit us on Pinterest for more no-carve pumpkin ideas, plus some ideas for the carving enthusiasts.
Do you have any great pumpkin decorating tips? Share them by commenting below!
Happy Halloween!
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