Our kids still love traditional Jack-O’-Lantern carving, always trying to top last year with something scarier, grosser, or goofier. But we also remember when toddler- and even baby-friendly pumpkin decorating was our go-to. Below are six simple, fun, and slightly unconventional pumpkin ideas we’ve used over the years — including one we made before kids that might surprise you.
Each project description below includes the materials and a brief how-to so you can recreate them at home. These approaches are flexible: swap colors, shapes, or tools to suit your child’s age and interests, or use faux pumpkins to preserve favorites for future years.
“Baby’s First” Handprint Pumpkin
Materials Needed:
- Paper or cardstock
- Pencil or pen (for tracing the hand)
- Sharpie or marker (for tracing onto the pumpkin)
- Scissors
- Pumpkin carving tools
If your child is very young, involve them by tracing their hand and turning that print into a stencil. We traced our daughter’s tiny hands onto paper, cut them out, then used those shapes as a guide on the pumpkin surface. In our version the handprints became the eyes of our “Jane-O-Lantern,” but you can use the stencil as ears, wings, or any playful element. This is an easy, sentimental project parents and little ones can do together.
Finger Painted Stencil Pumpkins
Materials Needed:
- Painters tape
- Sharpie or marker
- Craft knife
- Finger paints
For a tactile activity that keeps little hands busy, adapt a finger-painting session to pumpkins. Apply painter’s tape in shapes or patterns, trace and cut simple stencils if needed, then let kids smear finger paint across the surface. After the paint dries, peel the tape to reveal crisp designs. Using faux pumpkins means you can save the finished pieces for next year.
Puffy Painted “Studded” Pumpkins
Materials Needed:
- Puffy paint
- Craft or latex paint (leftover house paint works)
This textured technique is simple and striking. Squeeze rows of puffy paint to create dots, stripes, chevrons, or even initials. Once the puffy paint is fully dry, paint over the whole pumpkin a single color. The raised designs will show through, giving a sophisticated, tactile finish. It’s an easy way to make a grown-up-looking pumpkin while still letting kids participate.
Tissue Paper Mod Podge Pumpkins
Materials Needed:
- Colorful tissue paper
- Mod Podge
- Scissors
- Paint brushes
This hands-on craft is perfect for toddlers. Cut tissue paper into circles or other shapes, brush a thin layer of Mod Podge on the pumpkin, and let children press the pieces into place. When they’re finished, seal the surface with another coat of Mod Podge. The result is colorful, kid-made, and forgiving — children can place the pieces however they like, and older kids can help cut shapes too.
Gothic Panty Hose Pumpkins
Materials:
- Black fishnet pantyhose
- Scissors
Quick and unexpectedly chic: slip black fishnet pantyhose over the pumpkin and trim the excess. The netting creates a lace-like pattern on the surface and looks especially elegant on white pumpkins. This method is fast and best suited for indoor displays or faux pumpkins you want to reuse.
Homemade Stencil Monogram Pumpkin
Materials Needed:
- Computer
- Printer
- Paper
- Pencil
- Marker
- Pumpkin carving tools
To create a clean, custom carved design, print a monogram or pattern, cover the back of the paper with pencil, then press the design onto the pumpkin and trace over it firmly. The pencil on the back transfers a faint outline to the pumpkin that you can follow with carving tools. This technique works for simple monograms or more intricate DIY designs.
There you have six approachable pumpkin projects that range from baby-friendly crafts to quick adult-style makeovers. Try them alone or combine techniques — and if you use faux pumpkins, you can keep favorites for years to come. Happy decorating!