30 No-Carve Pumpkin Crafts for Kids
Check out these awesome No-Carve Pumpkin Crafts for Kids. You’ll find options for painting, gluing, and thinking outside the box! Pumpkin activities like this are so much fun and a great way to get the kids involved and excited for Halloween!
They will last longer than a carved pumpkin, and you’re kids will be so proud of the results! Let their creativity shine and show off their skills with these easy DIY pumpkin ideas!
Decorate your house for Halloween this year! Plus, since you’re not carving them, they’ll stay fresher longer, meaning that you don’t have to find a way to toss rotting pumpkins!
Why do some people not carve pumpkins for Halloween, but instead decorate them?
Great question! People skip carving pumpkins for a few reasons and turn to decorating instead:
- Less Messy – Carving means scooping out pumpkin guts, which can be slimy and time-consuming. Decorating avoids the cleanup.
- Longer-Lasting – A carved pumpkin rots quickly (sometimes within a few days). A decorated pumpkin (painted, wrapped, or bedazzled) can last weeks.
- Kid-Friendly – Small children can’t safely handle sharp carving tools, but they can paint, sticker, or glue decorations.
- Creative Flexibility – Decorating allows for a wider range of colors, textures, and themes beyond spooky faces—think glitter pumpkins, polka dots, or character-themed pumpkins.
- Practical Reasons – Some people live in apartments, dorms, or places where carving is inconvenient (limited space, no tools, no outdoor display spot).
- Personal Preference – Some prefer the look of a decorated pumpkin; it can be cute, stylish, or better suited to a specific theme than traditional jack-o’-lanterns.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission when anything is bought. This is at no additional cost to you.
Shop My Homeschool Room:
The following homeschool picks of mine can be found on Etsy. Simply click the image that interests you – yes, they do contain affiliate links.
What materials should I have on hand for a no-carve pumpkin activity?
With these, you can do painted pumpkins, glitter pumpkins, character pumpkins, or even silly monster faces—all without the mess of carving. Here’s a handy list of materials you can keep around for fun, no-carve pumpkin decorating:
Basics
- Pumpkins (any size/shape—mini ones are great for kids)
- Washable paint or acrylic paint
- Paintbrushes, foam brushes, or sponges
- Permanent markers or paint pens
Adhesives & Surface Prep
- Mod Podge or craft glue
- Glue dots or hot glue gun (for older kids/adults)
- Painter’s tape or masking tape (for clean paint lines)
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! You'll also get regular recipes & printables to your inbox!
Decorating Supplies
- Stickers and stencils
- Googly eyes
- Glitter or sequins
- Felt, foam sheets, or fabric scraps
- Pipe cleaners
- Buttons, beads, or rhinestones
Household Extras
- Ribbons, twine, or washi tape
- Silk flowers or leaves
- Construction paper or cardstock cutouts
- Cotton balls or pom-poms
Protective Supplies
- Newspaper, a tablecloth, or cardboard (to protect surfaces)
- Aprons or old t-shirts for kids
More Pumpkin-Themed Fun
- Easy Pumpkin Recipes
- Children’s Books about Pumpkins
- No-Carve Pumpkins Crafts
- 100 Printable Pumpkin Carving Patterns
- P is for Pumpkins
Fal Printables
.jpg)
Which of these pumpkin ideas are you going to make first?
Thank you dso much for sharing the Glitter and GLue Pumpkin idea from my blog!
Love your collection of Halloween pumpkins!!!