Pumpkin decorating ideas that will make you smile.

Pumpkin decorating is a fun activity that brings people together. It sparks creativity and lets you bring your ideas to life. Plus, it’s great for making new memories with your loved ones.

Whether you’re planning to make intricate designs or sticking to simple ones, you can find inspiration from this list of pumpkin decorating ideas.

Pumpkin decorating ideas for contest.

Planning to organize a competition? Use these pumpkin decorating ideas for contests to create designs that stand out.

Pumpkin-ception.

Place smaller pumpkins inside a larger pumpkin like matryoshka dolls. Each pumpkin would have a different design while still following the overall theme. Take your design up a notch by using each pumpkin to tell a story.

Go big or go home.

Have lots of pumpkins? Put them to good use by layering them on top of one another. For example, if you’re making a pumpkin monster, why not use smaller pumpkins for the arms and legs? Or cut out pumpkin pieces to use as part of the décor, like eyes, teeth, or accessories?

Literary pumpkins.

Bring your favorite book or story to life with a literary pumpkin. Decorate your pumpkin so that it looks like a famous literary character or an iconic scene from a beloved children’s book.

Make a diorama.

Tell a compelling story with a diorama. Use the pumpkin as a stage or base. Carve out the insides and create a window that’s large enough for viewers to see your diorama. Make sure that your diorama follows the contest’s theme and guidelines.

Abandon the pumpkin shape.

By this, we mean carving out your pumpkin so that it looks entirely different. For example, if the contest’s theme is famous horror movie villains, then carve your pumpkin so that it looks like Freddy Krueger with the hat and all.

No-carve pumpkin decorating ideas for kids.

These no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas are a fun and safe way for kids to get in on all the Halloween fun.

Go wild with paint.

Give kids free rein over how they decorate their pumpkins using child-safe paints. To elevate their painting experience and add texture to their work, consider pouring paints into individual cups and adding materials like glitter, modeling paste, sand, or sawdust. Remember to supervise kids during their pumpkin decorating session.

Use craft foam.

Help kids cut out shapes like cat ears or unicorn horns out of craft foam. Use tape or hot glue to stick the foam pieces in place. You can also paint the pieces before gluing them onto the pumpkin to make decorating each piece easier.

Get creative with unusual materials.

Encourage kids to think out of the box by letting them use unusual materials like melted crayons (with adult supervision), pipe cleaners, clothespins, and bottle caps.

Dress up your pumpkins.

Let little ones dress up their pumpkins as characters from their favorite books, movies, or TV shows. They can use water-based, non-toxic paints, as well as fabrics and props like toys.

Add fabric.

Use different kinds of fabric or fabric scraps to create an interesting look. Then, let kids have fun decorating the fabric wraps with twine, ribbons, or sequins.

Creative pumpkin decorating ideas for the whole family.

Showcase your personal style with these creative pumpkin decorating ideas.

A sustainable alternative.

Use biodegradable materials like leaves and twigs to decorate your pumpkin. Then, compost old pumpkins once the season ends.

Make it interactive.

Incorporate movable parts or add a QR code that links to a digital gallery featuring all your other pumpkin designs.

Go beyond the physical.

Love the way your pumpkin turned out? Then, consider making digital design counterparts of your pumpkin décor to share with loved ones. For example, take photos of your work and add them to a cute poster or banner as part of your Halloween décor.

Embrace the fantastic.

Take inspiration from beloved fantasy novels and make your pumpkins look magical. Paint or carve pumpkins so that they look like dragons, elves, and unicorns. You can also come up with your original character or creature to make your pumpkin truly unique.

Pumpkin bouquets.

Use dried or pressed flowers to decorate your pumpkin. Create wreaths or go all out with an elaborate arrangement of dried flowers.

Mini pumpkin decorating ideas for small spaces.

These mini pumpkin decorating ideas work great for kids’ craft projects, as table centerpieces, or as cute party favors. Look to this list for some quick inspiration.

Pumpkin doughnuts.

Decorate your mini pumpkins to make them look like assorted doughnuts. Then, place them inside an actual doughnut box.

Pumpkin cakes.

Paint your pumpkins so that they look like mini delectable desserts, similar to the pumpkin doughnuts idea above. You can also paint the mini pumpkins so that they look like ice cream, macarons, or cookies.

Make it glow.

Use glow-in-the-dark paint to decorate your mini pumpkins.

Your favorite group.

Paint your mini pumpkins so that they resemble your favorite group. For example, if you’re a fan of the Spice Girls, take five mini pumpkins and decorate them so that they look like each Spice Girls member.

Add googly eyes.

This is a fun way to add a lighthearted touch to your pumpkin décor. You can also paint your pumpkins to create hilarious expressions that go well with the googly eyes.

Easy pumpkin decorating ideas for beginners.

Need ideas for last-minute decorations? Looking for beginner-friendly projects to try? These easy pumpkin decorating ideas are definitely worth a try.

Repurpose pumpkin parts.

Use the seeds as décor supplies. For example, paint the seeds and glue them onto the pumpkin to serve as eyes, scales, or teeth. Or you could just boil the seeds in salted water and roast them for a quick snack.

Simple and chic.

Use gold or silver leaf to decorate your pumpkins. Remember to thoroughly clean your pumpkin so the leafing size, which is the adhesive used for gilding, and the metallic foil can stick properly. You can either cover the entire pumpkin in gold or silver leaf or just cover some parts to create a marbled look. You can also glue on doilies to create elegant designs.

Use dried fruits.

This is similar to using pressed or dried flowers but with a fruity spin. Arrange the dried fruits to create a pattern or just randomly glue the dried fruit piece on the pumpkin to create an abstract effect.

Go old-school with stencils.

Use stencil film to carve out patterns on the pumpkin’s exterior. Alternatively, lay your stencil on the surface, keep it in place using tape, and dab paint onto the skin. Once done, remove the stencil and wait for the paint to dry.

Decorate pumpkins with ribbons.

Pressed for time? Ribbons are a fun and easy way to make your pumpkins look pretty. Use different types of ribbons like satin, grosgrain, or organza to create a unique and elegant look.

Funny pumpkin decorating ideas for a hilarious Halloween.

Whether you want to make loved ones laugh or organize a craft project that kids and adults can enjoy, these funny pumpkin decorating ideas are guaranteed to give you a roaring good time.

Fun with puns.

Paint your pumpkins and make them look like speech bubbles. Inside each “bubble”, write down your favorite pun or an inside joke. Make it interactive by making blank pumpkin bubbles and asking guests to write down their favorite puns.

Make your own minions.

Who doesn’t love these goofy yellow creatures from Despicable Me? Paint your pumpkins yellow, add some funky goggles, and use scrap fabric as their costumes.

Pumpkin “pi”.

Add math-related doodles to your pumpkin, making sure that the pi symbol is the most prominent. Create a faux pie crust, and your pumpkin “pi” will be ready.

A hilarious scenario.

Recreate a hilarious memory from your childhood using an army of pumpkins.

Comedy gold.

Have a favorite comedy movie or iconic character like Danny DeVito’s Ongo Gablogian, the art collector? Use that as inspiration to strike comedy gold with your pumpkin décor.

Scary pumpkin decorating ideas that’ll scare the pants off guests.

Want to turn your home into something that’s straight out of a horror movie? These scary pumpkin decorating ideas have got you covered.

Clay it up.

Use air-dry or polymer clay to create a pumpkin with scary features. Take inspiration from movie or video game monsters like Pyramid Head from Silent Hill.

Throw in a creepy doll to the mix.

For some reason, dolls have this creepy feel to them. Think: Annabelle or Chucky. Capitalize on that fear and add some frightening-looking dolls to your pumpkin décor.

Venture deep into the uncanny valley.

Create plaster or silicone masks and paint them so that they kind of resemble human faces, except that the faces must have a blank, almost eerie look and feel to them. Place these masks on your pumpkins and watch how guests will react to your uncanny valley pumpkins.

Skeleton pumpkins.

This idea can either be cute or scary, depending on how your skeletons look. If you want adorable skeleton pumpkins, then paint or cut out cartoony skeletons. For a creepier vibe, make your skeletons look more realistic.

80s horror.

The 80s saw the releases of some of the most iconic horror movies like The Evil Dead, Friday the 13th, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Take inspiration from this glorious decade and carve out pumpkins featuring popular 80s horror movie villains.

Cute pumpkin decorating ideas for adorable Halloween décor.

Make adorable, family-friendly décor with these cute pumpkin decorating ideas.

Use cookie cutters.

Have cookie cutters in fun shapes? Why not use them to carve out unique designs on your pumpkin?

Try decoupage.

Use your pumpkin as your project surface. Then, take a pattern that you like, such as from a fabric or piece of wallpaper, and use a decoupage medium like Mod Podge to help it stick. Use your hands or a roller to smooth out the pattern. Once done, apply another layer of your decoupage medium on top of the design to seal it. Let it fully dry, and consider adding embellishments to make your design more unique.

String art.

This is a great activity for both kids and adults. Start by making an outline of your design and then hammering small nails into the pumpkins, following the outline the entire time. Wrap the yarn between and around the nails. You can also go freehand and create a more abstract look for your string art pumpkin. Use yarns in various colors to create a fun and quirky look.

Pumpkin vase.

For this pumpkin decorating idea, you won’t need to do anything drastic to your pumpkin. Just carve off the top, scoop out the insides, and add fresh flowers. Remember to fill the pumpkin with water.

Origami exterior.

If you’re into origami, consider covering your pumpkin with your origami creations. Use different types of paper to create a unique look for your pumpkin.

Unique pumpkin decorating ideas.

Embrace the unconventional and showcase your creativity with these unique pumpkin decorating ideas.

Franken-pumpkin.

What do you get when you combine a pumpkin with a bunch of random materials? A franken-pumpkin. Imagine Spider Baby from Toy Story but with pumpkins. Or you could take a bunch of pumpkins of different sizes and put them together to create a bigger pumpkin statue.

Insert pop culture references.

Love all things pop culture? Then you’re going to love this pumpkin decorating idea. From the latest social media trends to enduring memes, you can get tons of inspiration from pop culture. Here’s a helpful tip: use Adobe Express to create photo collages to serve as your project mood board.

Steampunk-inspired pumpkins.

If you’re a steampunk fan, then this unique pumpkin decorating idea is right up your alley. Decorate your pumpkin using metallic paint. Incorporate elements like cogs and gears from old appliances or trinkets. Then, take your creation even further by including battery-powered LED lights to really flesh out the steampunk look.

Carve the outer skin.

This pumpkin decorating idea entails reverse-carving your pumpkin. This means you don’t need to carve into the pumpkin, leaving the outside skin intact. To make your design, you can sand the skin or scrape it to create different depths, textures, and effects.

Use technology.

Take your pumpkin decorating ideas to the next level with the help of motion sensors. For example, use a motion sensor to trigger flickering lights or specific sound effects in your pumpkin when someone walks past it.

Paper pumpkin decorating ideas for a fun twist.

Whether you’re looking to make easy projects or want more eco-friendly decorations, these paper pumpkin decorating ideas add a fun twist to your Halloween décor.

Paper pumpkin garland.

Cut out pumpkins of various sizes using different types of paper. Glue each paper pumpkin onto a piece of string. You can leave them as is or decorate each paper pumpkin.

Pumpkin lanterns.

Use paper mâché to create small pumpkins that you can turn into lanterns. Alternatively, cut out intricate designs, like a pumpkin patch, on each piece of paper. Use translucent paper and place string lights inside to illuminate your design.

Use craft tissue paper.

Cut out teardrop shapes and glue them onto your pumpkin.

Put old books to good use.

You can also use old magazines or newspapers for this. Decoupage them onto the pumpkin and add a paper stem to complete the look.

A funky paper pumpkin.

Use textured paper and cut out unusual shapes. Glue these shapes onto your pumpkin to create a unique art installation.

Small pumpkin decorating ideas.

These small pumpkin decorating ideas are perfect for compact spaces and quick projects.

Washi tape.

Use washi tape to decorate small pumpkins. Use different patterns or shapes using the tape to create different looks.

Teal pumpkins.

Use teal pumpkins to raise food allergy awareness. Use teal paint to decorate your small pumpkins and let trick-or-treaters know that you’re offering non-food treats. Learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project here.

Mini hot air balloons.

These make for adorable tables or hanging décor. Attach a small basket or paper cup under the pumpkin using strings. Paint your small pumpkins so that they look like the sky.

Miniature dioramas.

Make your small pumpkin look like a magical fairy house or a tiny but spooky haunted house.

Dainty teacup pumpkins.

Decorate your pumpkins so that they look like cute teacups. Add small handles using air-dry clay.

DIY pumpkin decorating ideas.

What makes these DIY pumpkin decorating ideas so great is that they’re customizable, collaborative, and easy to make.

Incorporate 3D-printed elements.

Instead of using craft materials, consider 3D printing accessories for your pumpkin, like scales, wings, or fingers.

Optical illusions.

Paint any design you want in the trompe l’oeil style to create amazing optical illusions. With this style, there’s no limit to what you can make. For example, you can paint your pumpkins so that they look like a treasure chest or even make them look like Baroque paintings.

Papier mâché.

Make your own papier mâché pumpkins and customize them using different mediums like paint, craft tissue paper, gilding flakes, or foil sheets.

Reuse old pantyhose.

This is a great way to repurpose old stockings. Clean your old pantyhose and place the pumpkins inside the stocking’s legs. Cut off the excess stocking, tie the ends using rubber bands, and you’re good to go.

Cover it in sequins or glitter.

This DIY pumpkin decorating idea is a fun and easy way to zhuzh up your pumpkins. You can either cover the entire pumpkin in sequins or glitter or use these materials to create unique patterns. For instance, you can use sequins to create a spiderweb pattern or funny cat faces.

Cool pumpkin decorating ideas.

Whether you’re looking to create trendy designs or you simply want to make unique displays for Halloween, these cool pumpkin decorating ideas will give you the inspiration you need.

Pumpkin album.

Make your album last longer by using an artificial pumpkin. Print your favorite photos and glue them onto your faux pumpkin using a decoupage medium. Planning to give this as a gift to a loved one? Include a heartfelt letter to make your gift extra special.

Minimalist pumpkins.

Opt to decorate only a small part of your pumpkin. For example, paint your pumpkin in one solid color and then add glitters, confetti, or sprinkles to only the top or bottom half.

A porcelain masterpiece.

Paint your pumpkin so that it looks like blue and white pottery. For the base, use white paint. Use dark blue paint to create intricate designs that resemble stunning blue and white porcelain.

A gumball machine with a creepy surprise.

For this, you can either paint the pumpkin so that it resembles a gumball machine or use painted foam balls to cover the pumpkin’s surface. Then, create a small opening where you’d normally retrieve the gumballs. Instead of gumballs, place replicas of cockroaches, spiders, or snakes.

Silhouettes of creepy crawlies.

Paint your pumpkins a bright color for the base, or leave them as is. Use stencils of your favorite creepy crawlies (or horror movie villains) and paint the pumpkins using darker colors. Remove the stencils and wait for the paint to dry.

Tips to help improve your pumpkin decor.

These tips will make your next pumpkin decorating project even better.

• Pick a theme. This helps narrow down your design options and tie different pumpkin decorating elements together.

• Prep your pumpkin. If you’re going to be painting your pumpkins, wash them with warm, soapy water and let them fully dry. Then, apply a coat of sealer before painting your design. After painting, apply a coat of sealer. The sealer helps protect and preserve your painting as it keeps the paint from flaking.

• Experiment with different paints. If you’re planning to paint your pumpkins, consider using different types of paint. For example, kids can use washable or water-based paints, while adults can use spray paint, acrylic paint, or paint markers.

• Make it a party. A pumpkin decorating party that is. Host a pumpkin decorating event and bring your loved ones together. Keep everyone in the loop by sending out on-theme invitation cards and flyers, which you can make in a few clicks with Adobe Express.

Halloween decorations made even better with Adobe Express.

From spooky cards that match your pumpkin décor to awe-inspiring posters, Adobe Express makes it easy for you to do creative projects for any occasion. With the help of customizable templates and beginner-friendly tools, you can make memorable decorations in just a few clicks. See what you can make with Adobe Express today.

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