As the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold and the crisp breeze of autumn begins to fill the air, families everywhere start looking for festive ways to celebrate the season. One of the most beloved and versatile fall symbols is the pumpkin—and what better way to bring seasonal joy into your home or classroom than through creative crafting? At The Kids Point, we believe in turning simple moments into magical memories, and pumpkin crafts offer the perfect opportunity for kids and caregivers to create, bond, and learn together.
Pumpkin crafts are more than just a seasonal activity. They help children develop fine motor skills, express creativity and gain confidence through hands-on learning. From toddlers to elementary schoolers, kids of all ages can enjoy turning everyday materials like paper, yarn and glue into adorable autumn masterpieces.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve rounded up a wide variety of fun and easy pumpkin crafts that children can create together with friends, siblings, or parents. Whether you’re preparing for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or simply embracing the fall season, these projects are sure to inspire joy, creativity and a little seasonal sparkle.
Why Pumpkin Crafts Are Great for Kids
Before diving into the projects, it’s helpful to understand why pumpkin crafts are such a favorite among parents and educators:
Seasonal Relevance
Pumpkins are a key symbol of fall and feature prominently in both Halloween and Thanksgiving traditions. Crafting with this theme keeps kids connected to seasonal events.
Educational Value
Crafting improves fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. It also encourages children to follow instructions and use problem-solving skills.
Emotional Benefits
Creating art is a soothing, confidence-building activity. It gives children the freedom to express themselves and enjoy a sense of accomplishment.
Family Bonding
Many pumpkin crafts are perfect for group work, making them ideal for families, classrooms, or playgroups to enjoy together.
20 Fun and Easy Pumpkin Crafts for Kids
Here are some creative pumpkin crafts that are simple, affordable, and enjoyable for a wide range of ages.
1. Paper Strip Pumpkins
This 3D paper craft uses strips of orange cardstock or construction paper looped into a pumpkin shape and fastened with a brad or pipe cleaner. Add a green paper leaf or stem to complete the look. This craft helps teach basic geometry and encourages hand-eye coordination. Kids can also experiment with different strip lengths to make tall or wide pumpkins.
2. Washi Tape Pumpkin Collage
Use orange-patterned washi tape to fill in a pumpkin shape drawn or cut out on paper. Kids can overlap tape in various patterns for a beautiful, textured look. This activity is great for boosting creativity through color and pattern choices. It also introduces kids to collage art and layering techniques.
3. Yarn-Wrapped Pumpkins
Create a pumpkin shape from cardboard, then let kids wrap it with orange yarn. This simple, mess-free craft is perfect for preschoolers and helps improve fine motor skills. Children can practice wrapping evenly and exploring texture through tactile play. Add googly eyes or paper leaves for an extra touch of personality.
4. Pumpkin Paper Plate Craft
Use a paper plate as the base and glue on torn pieces of orange construction paper. Add a green stem, leaf, and a jack-o’-lantern face if desired. This is a fun, sensory-rich craft that helps with tearing and gluing skills. It’s also a great way to repurpose leftover craft materials.
5. Pumpkin Stress Balls
Fill orange balloons with rice or flour to create pumpkin-shaped stress balls. Draw faces with a black marker and twist a green pipe cleaner for the stem. These can help kids with sensory needs or those who benefit from calming tools. Let children personalize their stress pumpkins with different emotions or expressions.
6. Toilet Paper Roll Pumpkins
Wrap toilet paper rolls in orange fabric or paper and tuck green felt inside the top for a no-glue, no-mess craft. It’s quick, easy, and can be reused. These make adorable fall centerpieces and can even hold treats inside. You can encourage kids to make a family of pumpkins in different sizes.
7. Pumpkin Suncatchers
Use contact paper and bits of orange tissue paper to create beautiful suncatchers shaped like pumpkins. Stick them on windows for a glowing autumn effect. They’re a wonderful way to brighten indoor spaces during fall. Kids also learn about light, transparency, and color blending.
8. Pumpkin Garland
Cut out several pumpkin shapes from orange construction paper. Let kids decorate them with paint, stickers, or faces. String them together with yarn to make a festive garland. This project encourages teamwork if made in a group setting. It’s also a wonderful decoration for classrooms or home spaces.
9. Painted Rock Pumpkins
Collect smooth rocks and paint them orange. Add silly, spooky, or happy faces using black paint or markers. These make great paperweights or garden decorations. Kids also learn about painting on different textures and surfaces.
10. No-Sew Fabric Pumpkins
Stuff squares of orange fabric with cotton balls or crumpled paper. Gather the fabric and secure it with string or a pipe cleaner. They’re soft, squishy, and safe for young children. These make charming table decorations and help teach basic wrapping and tying techniques.
11. Fingerprint Pumpkin Patch
Draw a vine or pumpkin patch background. Let kids dip their fingers in orange paint to create mini pumpkins. This is an excellent sensory and art activity for younger children. It can also be turned into a keepsake by labeling each fingerprint with names.
12. Pumpkin Bracelets
Use orange beads and green pipe cleaners to create cute and wearable pumpkin bracelets. Kids can make these for themselves or as gifts. It’s a wonderful way to practice fine motor skills like threading and twisting. Let children create matching sets for friends or family.
13. Mason Jar Jack-o’-Lanterns
Paint mason jars with orange paint and decorate them with jack-o’-lantern faces. Add a tea light inside to create a glowing fall lantern. This craft can double as a nightlight or table centerpiece. Using LED tea lights ensures they’re safe for children to handle.
14. Pumpkin Puppets
Cut pumpkins from orange cardstock and attach to craft sticks. Let kids draw faces and act out silly or spooky stories with their pumpkin characters. This is a great way to combine crafting with storytelling and drama. Encourage children to create a puppet show with different pumpkin personalities.
15. Geometric Paper Pumpkins
Cut pumpkins from construction paper and decorate them with triangle, square, and circle cut-outs. Great for preschool shape recognition. This activity strengthens math and shape identification skills. Challenge older kids to make patterns or symmetrical designs with their shapes.
16. Paper Mache Pumpkins
Cover a small balloon with strips of paper dipped in glue. Once dry, paint it orange and add leaves or a face. This is a fun, hands-on project that can span multiple days. Finished pumpkins are sturdy and can be stored for future use.
17. Positive-Negative Space Pumpkins
Cut a pumpkin shape from orange paper and then cut out the face pieces. Glue the leftover “negative space” onto black paper for a striking design that doubles as a lesson in art technique. Kids learn about visual contrast and spatial relationships. This is an excellent introduction to foundational art concepts.
18. Bundt Pan or Basket Pumpkins
Flip over mini Bundt pans or wire baskets and paint them orange. Add a stem and leaf. These upcycled crafts are eco-friendly and teach resourcefulness. They can also be used as unique fall table centerpieces.
19. Craft Stick Pumpkins
Glue together craft sticks to form a pumpkin shape. Paint them orange, then decorate with faces, leaves, or ribbons. Add a magnet to the back and display it on the fridge or whiteboard. This craft is also great for introducing kids to structure and gluing skills.
20. Pumpkin Diorama
Use a small box or old shoe box to create a fall scene. Kids can include pumpkins, leaves, animals, and more using paper cut-outs, stickers, and craft supplies. Encourage storytelling by asking kids to describe the scene they created. This project allows for endless creativity and can be expanded seasonally.
Ideas for Extending the Learning
Crafting pumpkins can be even more enriching when paired with the following educational and interactive extensions:
Read Aloud Pairings
Pair crafting time with pumpkin-themed books like:
- “Pumpkin Jack” by Will Hubbell
- “Too Many Pumpkins” by Linda White
- “It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse!” by Laura Numeroff
STEM Activity
Explore how pumpkins grow from seed to fruit. Let kids dissect a real pumpkin and observe the parts—then create a “pumpkin life cycle” craft or diagram.
Letter P is for Pumpkin
Use pumpkin crafts to reinforce phonics. Have preschoolers practice writing or tracing the letter “P” and connect it to “pumpkin,” “patch,” “pie,” and more.
Pumpkin-Themed Snack Time
Make pumpkin muffins, cookies, or pumpkin pie after crafting. Cooking together strengthens math and sequencing skills—and it’s a tasty reward!
Pumpkin Craft Safety Tips
- Always supervise young children when using scissors, hot glue, or small pieces.
- Choose non-toxic glue and washable paint.
- Encourage kids to wear aprons or old clothes during painting projects.
- Have a wet cloth nearby for quick clean-ups.
There’s something magical about crafting pumpkins with kids during the fall. Whether you’re stringing together a garland for your mantel or creating a batch of silly jack-o’-lantern puppets for playtime, these hands-on projects offer meaningful ways to engage children creatively, educationally and emotionally.
At The Kids Point, we celebrate the simple joys of childhood—like the delight of sticky fingers and giggles during an afternoon of crafting. So gather your supplies, set out your orange paper and paint, and get ready to make some pumpkin-themed memories that will last long after the season ends.